Permanent marker getting on your walls can be a massive headache. Thankfully there are ways to clean them properly without damaging your walls. This article will help you to learn how to get permanent marker off walls.
Many of these methods make use of common supplies, so you don’t have to worry about looking far and wide for them. Read on to get a proper explanation for them.
Ways to Remove Permanent Marker from Wall
In this section, we’ll detail the most effective methods that you can apply to remove stains like permanent marker ink.
Method 1: Using Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a common and effective method of breaking down permanent marker stains from anything. Isopropyl alcohol is very effective and is quite fast at removing stains. To clean your walls using this method, follow the steps below.
Preparing the alcohol solution: First and foremost, you want to store your isopropyl alcohol in a spray-type container for easier access and use.
Soaking the cotton swab: Next, take a piece of a cotton swab and soak it by spraying the alcohol solution on it. Make sure it is properly soaked before using it.
Cleaning the walls: Place the cotton swab on the stains on the wall. Move it in a circular motion until you begin to notice the marker fading. This may take some time, so continue using the swab until it begins to turn black.
Replace the cotton swab: When you see that your cotton swab is getting discolored, it is time to change it out. Throw away the swab and then take a new one. Make sure to properly soak it in alcohol before you proceed to use it on the walls.
You can alternatively make use of a cotton brush to clean the walls. This is very useful if there are a lot of markings to remove. Make sure you have a clean cotton brush, and then follow the instructions below:
Spray Alcohol on the Markings:
Use the container and spray ‘Rubbing or Isopropyl alcohol’ on the wall markings. This will break down the stains and makes removing them easier. It’s most commonly used for removing marker stain from plastic surface.
Take your cotton brush and begin brushing the walls. Use a back and forth motion on the sprayed area to remove the stains.
After scrubbing for some time, make sure to clean the brush before you continue cleaning. Once cleaned, repeat the steps above until the whole wall is cleaned.
Method 2: Toothpaste With Lemon Juice
Although it sounds like an odd combination, toothpaste with lemon juice can be good at removing permanent markers from a wall. The two together are powerful enough to break down some tough stains. For this, it is recommended to use white toothpaste and not gel ones.
Follow the steps below for this method:
The first thing you need to do is prepare the solution. First, take a small bowl of warm water. Now add a small smidge of white toothpaste into the water.
Now add lemon juice to the solution. One lemon will do for most cases, so make sure you properly squeeze the lemon.
After adding lemon juice, use a spoon and stir the two together. Make sure they are properly mixed until the solution is ready (the toothpaste should have properly dissolved).
Next, you will want to apply the cleaning solution to the wall. To do this, you can either make use of an old toothbrush or a cotton swab. Either way, soak the toothbrush head in the solution or soak the swab.
Use the toothbrush and start scrubbing the walls. You may need to repeatedly soak the brush and scrub with some force, as this method is less effective at getting rid of stains than the above one.
After scrubbing for some time, it is recommended to properly wash the toothbrush in warm water. This is to remove traces of cleaning solution and any stains stuck on the bristles and made cleaning more effective.
Note: When you get permanent marker off your skin without removing any kind of alcohol, this method can your first choice.
Other Household Items to Remove Marker Stain
Using Nail Polish Remover
One of the most accessible items to remove stains are nail polish removers. It contains acetone or alcohol which can break apart stains. However, nail polish removers generally work better for removing stains from cloth and not so much for walls. To use it, follow the steps below:
You will want to use a washcloth or cleaning cloth to apply nail polish remover.
Next, you will want to apply nail polish remover to the cloth you’re using. Be careful not to add too much.
With the cloth and the applied remover, carefully dab the stained area. Remember not to rub it as it can cause it to spread and make a bigger mess. The remover will break down the stains slowly.
Using Baking Soda with Vinegar
Another good household item to remove permanent markers from walls is baking soda. Baking soda is generally seen as a good cleaning item for its power to remove tough stains. You can make a cleaning solution with baking soda or sprinkle it on the walls and scrub the area.
If you want to make a cleaning solution and use it follow the steps below:
First, take a clean bowl of warm water. Warm water helps dissolve the stains better and also makes them easier to mix.
Add one teaspoon of baking soda to the bowl and then properly mix it until it has dissolved.
Soak a brush in the solution and then begin to scrub the stained area.
Once you are done cleaning, remember to clean the brush with warm water to remove any traces of baking soda on it.
Will Magic Eraser Remove Marker From Wall?
Yes! Magic Eraser is generally a very common way to remove markers from nonporous. Since it contains micro-scrubbers, they are very good at removing stains when enough pressure is applied. It is recommended to read any special instructions of Magic Eraser has before using it.
Generally, to use it, you will want to follow the steps below:
Prepare some warm water in a bowl and gently apply it to the stained area using a clean towel or cloth.
Use your Magic Eraser and gently apply pressure to it in contact with the wall. Then begin scrubbing it back and forth. The stains will slowly fade.
For larger stains, you will want to soak the Magic Eraser from time to time and then resume scrubbing.
Once you are done cleaning, use a clean damp cloth or towel and gently wipe the area.
How Do You Clean Walls Without Ruining Paint?
One of the main worries for cleaning walls is that your beautiful paint job can be damaged. This is true if you happen to use abrasive cleaners. The most common of these include using hard-bristled brushes and Magic Erasers.
Although they are effective at getting the job done, they can be detrimental to your paint.
If you want a good way to clean white walls without ruining the paint, it is recommended to use dish soap. Dish soap isn’t powerful enough to damage paint, but it can clean your walls nicely. The steps below describe the method:
Fill 3/4th of a bucket with warm water.
Now, add some dish-washing detergent to the bucket of water and properly mix them until all the detergent has dissolved.
Now soak a sponge in the bucket. Use it to scrub the walls. Sponges are not abrasive, so they can clean your walls without scratching the paint.
While cleaning, make sure to wring the sponge and get the dirty water out from time to time.
Final Thoughts
Has this article been useful in illustrating how to get permanent marker off the walls? I hope so.
These are tested to be the best methods, and they don’t require much in the way of supplies as many of these use household products.