Has it ever happened to you that you’re ready to write an important document only to find out the marker is dried out?
It is a common occurrence that has happened to all of us, precisely in the most inconvenient times. If it hasn’t happened to you, then chances are it will sooner or later, and you must be ready to act quickly.
Fortunately, that is the main topic for this wordy piece. Here, we’ll explore the different substances that can fix a dried out marker, and how to use them properly to achieve that goal.
So, gather as much dried out markers as you have lying around the house. Today, we’ll make them work again.
Method 1 – Using Water
Water comes once again to breathe new life back into tools that don’t seem to function anymore. It works like a charm to get dried out markers back to functioning without issues. To do it, follow the next instructions:
Source: ifixit.com
Getting A Bowl of Water
Fill a small bowl with water. The water’s temperature could be hot or warm. At a rather high temperature, the water soaks the marker’s tip, which get dried out after a certain amount of use. This process allows the ink to flow again.
Keep in mind that cold water could work too. But you should use a warm or hot temperature because it works faster diffusing the ink.
Putting the Tip in the Water
Get the caps off the dried markers. Then, put them in the water until the tips are deep in it. Let it be for five minutes to soak in. Don’t worry if a portion of the ink starts draining from the marker tips into the water. That is completely normal.
Letting the Marker Dry
Now, take the markers out of the water. Using a rag will remove the excess water remaining on the tips. Then, put the markers over the rag, and wait for it to dry.
Check the markers from time to time. They will be ready once the ink at the tips is water-free. Don’t let them dry too much though, or they might lose the capacity to write.
This process might take some time, and you need to keep track of it. You can do it by using the markers over a piece of paper every couple of hours.
Also, remember that the marker might leave ink over the surface where you put it. These stains might be difficult to remove, so it is better to avoid laying the markers on clothing or towels.
Replacing the Marker Cap
After drying and checking they can write, replacing the caps is a good idea. Make sure to put the caps back on the marker after every use to avoid drying out the tip again.
BONUS: Injecting Water in the Marker
Source: wikihow.com
Another possible solution is to inject water in the marker. Use a long and sharp syringe, the skinniest you can find, and fill it with water. Then, put the needle through the tip, right in the marker body.
Push only a small amount of water at a time, which will allow the air to drain out while adding the water. It will need one milliliter, approximately. Then, allow the marker to rest and dry.
- Important Note: Water is capable of fixing dried out markers. But remember, these methods work better for water-based markers only.
Method 2 – Using Alcohol
Source: redbubble.com
Another effective method to fix dried out markers is rubbing alcohol. It is an easy process that doesn’t require much effort or thought.
So, how does it work?
Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol directly into a small container, like the rubbing alcohol cap. Then, let the marker’s tip soak in it until the ink starts swirling out.
After that, put the cap of the marker over it again. Let it rest with the tip-side up, and wait from 24 to 48 hours.
When the time is up, the marker should be working once again, ready to write and draw as you please.
BONUS: Injecting Alcohol in the Marker
Like in the previous method using water, you can inject either alcohol or acetone in the marker, and it is likely that it will work again. Using a milliliter of rubbing alcohol should be enough.
- Important Note: Rubbing alcohol is capable of putting most permanent markers back to life. Tools like Sharpies with dried out tips might be breathing once again if you follow the steps correctly.
Easiest Method– Using Ethanol
Ethanol is a strong solvent that works for many different things, dried out markers being one of those. Follow the next steps.
Start by pulling out the marker nib, and pour ethanol inside the marker. Using a pipette or a syringe works efficiently to complete this step.
Then, when you finish adding the solvent, put the nib in the marker once again.
Let it rest for a couple of minutes and try making some lines with the marker. Ethanol is quite powerful, meaning that if there’s any ink left in the marker, it will be flowing and ready to use quickly. Overall, this method is one of the quickest you could try.
Quickest Alternative: Using Vinegar
Vinegar could work to get the ink flowing back again too. It is a household substance that everyone has available, making it an affordable method to fix the markers.
Put the marker with the tip down in a recipient, like a dry bowl. Then, dampen the marker tip using two drops of white vinegar. Let the marker soak a couple of minutes before drying.
Don’t let the marker tip get too far deep in the vinegar. A small amount of vinegar, like a couple of drops, should be enough.
Final Thoughts
The main goal of the article was to teach you how to use common elements, like water and alcohol, to fix the dried-out markers that seem like they have no more use.
Before making a fast decision and throwing them out, you might want to try one of the methods listed above first.
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