If you are a big fan of the texture seen with chalk, there is an amazing alternative known as chalk marker. Also known as liquid chalk, the popularity of the same is rising at a fast pace. Apart from the finishes and colors, liquid chalk markers provide the option for customization with multiple nib designs.
Chalk pens are perfect for artists, creative parents, business owners, and teachers that love to express creativity. Although it might seem that a chalk marker and chalk are the same, that isn’t exactly true. Both types can easily be erased if the mark is only the surface that works well with a chalk marker. Cleaning these two can be a whole new experience.
So, go through this article and explore ten clever hacks to remove chalk markers from almost anything!
Important
Despite its erasable feature, chalk markers do have various other benefits. Any type of sealed or porous surface can be ideal for using liquid chalk markers. It includes ceramic, glass, or whiteboards.
However, depending on the brands of chalk markers, the material with which the chalk pen is made would vary. In addition, you might require some wet cleaning depending on the brand’s pigmentation.
Compared to commonly available chalk art supplies, the pigments in liquid chalk don’t fade out as easily. Artists might have to use window cleaners or melamine-based foam erasers to eradicate these marks. However, you can use some other effective ways to remove chalk from anything.
Remove Chalk Marker for Anything | 10 Simple Ways
1. Use Damp Cloth for Blackboard
First off, blackboards or chalkboards are crafted from slate or wood. Both these materials are porous in nature and tend to absorb colors bleeding on the surface from the marker. So, removing chalk marker ink from this surface can be a bit tricky.
If your blackboard has a non-porous coating, cleaning it would be very easy. It applies to menu boards or wedding signboards. Depending on your wedding signboard or menu board’s material, you need to decide the cleaning process.
A damp cloth wet-erase process won’t provide good results if you use it on a porous surface. So, make sure you check whether the blackboard has a non-porous coating. Start by dipping a clean cloth in water and letting it soak up some water. Make sure the cloth is damp and not soggy. Rinse out the excess water and gently rub out the ink from the blackboard.
Doing this on non-porous chalkboards would be easy and done within a couple of minutes. However, it won’t take off the colors completely from a porous surface. The colors can seep deep into the crevices, which won’t come off simply with a damp cloth.
This cleaning process is also applicable for whiteboard cleaning. Cleaning a blackboard with chalk marker paint depends on whether the ink is wet or dried off. It is easy to clean with a damp cloth if the ink is wet.
However, for the dried ones, you would need to soak them before removal. Place the damp cloth on the ink for 3-5 minutes. Once the colors seem wet enough, continue to rub till the surface becomes clean.
2. Use Baby Wipes for Wine Glass or Mirrors
If you accidentally stained your special wine glass or mirror with a chalk marker, simply using a damp cloth won’t get the job done. Baby wipes help clean delicate and sensitive surfaces that do not bode well with normal scrubbing action with a damp cloth. They need dry erase action with something soft.
If you rub your glass too hard to get rid of the chalk marker stain, you might end up scratching it. The glass might even break apart due to the pressure created from the rubbing action.
Moreover, baby wipes have antimicrobial features that can help disinfect your glasses without leaving any stains. Start by gently rubbing the stain with the help of baby wipes. Keep repeating the step until the stains come off.
If the wipes start to break off during the cleaning process, replace them with a new one. If any pieces stick to the glass surface, you can wipe them off with a cleaning cloth.
3. Try Magic Eraser for Chalkboard
A magic eraser is a special tool that can be used to get rid of the marks left by the chalk marker. It is similar to a white sponge which makes it perfect for removing smudges and marks from any surface, including walls or chalkboards.
The best thing about using magic erasers is that they are inexpensive and easy to work with. The key is to dampen your magic eraser a bit with some water.
These erasers come at a cheap price tag if you are on a budget shopping spree. Moreover, they work perfectly while being reusable. You can use magic erasers just the way you would use any sponge. A gentle rubbing action will help clean the surface of any marks left by liquid chalk markers.
Finally, wipe the surface dry with the help of a dry and clean cloth once you are done cleaning the chalkboard paint.
4. Take Help of Windex for Wall
If you don’t like the way magic erasers work, you can get rid of the liquid chalk stains with the help of Windex. They are perfect for getting rid of any stains on the walls compared to generic household cleaners. They serve as a fantastic alternative to magic erasers.
The key is to spray the required amount of Windex on the surface, depending on how big or dry the mark is. Let the liquid sit over the surface for a few minutes, and then gently wipe off the colors.
Once you have done this, you might notice some lights stain remaining on the wall. To remove this ghost stain, you need to prime this section with the help of a regular chalk piece. Once you have done this, let it sit for some time.
Next, spray this entire surface with some Windex. Wipe down the surface thoroughly with the help of a clean cloth to remove all remaining traces of the liquid chalk markers. It will leave your wall clean and fresh with no stain remnant whatsoever.
5. Use Rubbing Alcohol for LED Board
If you wrote something on your LED board with the help of liquid chalk markers and want to get rid of it, anything related to water is a big no. You cannot simply wash off or introduce damp cloth to the LED board.
Rubbing alcohol is the best fit for cleaning an LED board. The key is to mix the rubbing alcohol with some water and shake it well to mix it properly.
Next, spray this solution all over the stain and let it sit for some time. Finally, rub the stain on the LED board with the help of a clean rug.
The best non-abrasive solution for cleaning the LED board is isopropyl alcohol. You can dilute it with distilled or pure water. Finally, wipe it clean with a dry towel.
6. Ammonia-Based Cleaner for Fabric
If your fabric has chalk marker marks, an ideal solution is to use an ammonia-based cleaning option. However, stubborn chalk marker stains might not match the strength of ammonia cleaners. This solution works best with fabric materials such as polyester, cotton, and nylon.
To prepare this solution, you need to mix in 2/3rd cup of clear ammonia with 2/3rd cup of dish soap. Next, add 6 tablespoons worth of baking soda and 2 cups of lukewarm water. Gently mix all these ingredients together.
Take a sponge and then apply it generously on the fabric’s surface using a spray bottle. Let this solution sit on the fabric for 30 minutes or more, and then clean the fabric as you would do with any other laundry cleaning cycle.
7. Water and Vinegar Solution for Wood
The first thing you need to keep in mind is that wood is very porous in nature unless it has been sealed to keep off the moisture from entering the material. Liquid chalk markers tend to work perfectly on a wooden surface.
However, they might not work as well on MDF. So, technically, your MDF wooden board with chalk marker stain would be easier to clean than pure wood surfaces.
If you see chalk marker stains on the wood, it would definitely take some time to clean it perfectly. A vinegar and water solution works perfectly, in this case, to get rid of the mark left by liquid chalk. Depending on the size of the stain, you need to mix about 4 cups of warm water along with 1 cup worth of vinegar.
Now, mix this solution properly. It would be best if you didn’t directly spray this solution on the wood. Instead, use a cloth and dip it in the solution.
Next, wring out any excess water from the cloth. Now gently wipe the wooden surface in a rubbing motion to ensure all the chalk paint stains come off properly. Do not forget to rub more profound into the crevices. Let the wood air dry once the stains come off to avoid any rotting issues, especially if the wood isn’t a sealed one.
8. Acetone for Carpet and Upholstery
Dry chalk is easy to clean off from your upholstery or carpet with the help of a vacuum cleaner or wet cloth. However, when cleaning chalk marker stain from the carpet, you would need to use acetone solution for the same.
The best thing about cleaning up chalk marker stains from the carpet is that you don’t have to deal with the chalk dust like regular chalk. An ideal example of acetone is a good-quality nail polish remover.
However, depending on the material used for your carpet or upholstery, you might need to dilute the solution to ensure it doesn’t ruin the material. Mix around 1/8th of a cup of acetone with a cup full of water.
Once you have prepared the mixture, pour it into the stained area and wipe it off with a clean cloth. The chalk paint stain would eventually dissolve.
9. Soapy Water Solution for Car Window
Has your kid been naughty with the liquid chalk markers again? Are you tired of wiping off the liquid chalk stains from the car window? If that is the case, a soapy water solution will work best. However, it would be best to use mild liquid soap and not use a harsh one as it can corrode the car window’s glass.
Start by measuring a tablespoon of this liquid dishwashing soap with the same amount of water. Try to prepare a homogenous mixture with equal parts of soap and water.
Make sure you don’t use a lot of soap for the solution, or it might make the liquid too thick, which would be difficult to wash off. A thick, soapy solution would also leave residues or streaks on the glass.
Using warm water for the solution produces the best results compared to cold water. Simply spray this solution on the car window and rub off the chalk marker stain with a good-quality sponge.
10. VersaChalk Chalkboard Cleaning Kit
VersaChalk Chalkboard cleaning kit is ideal for chalk marker stains in materials such as plastic, acrylic, ceramics, metal, and slate. This cleaning kit works perfectly on both porous and non-porous surfaces. You need to simply spray the solution on the surface and wipe off the stain.
Moreover, the cleaning kit is non-toxic in nature and safe for regular use on any type of surface. It also doesn’t contain ammonia, alcohol, and petrochemicals that could release fumes.
Warning
- Ensure that the area is well-ventilated when using acetone to clean your upholstery or carpet from stains caused by liquid chalk marker pens. The fumes from acetone can cause allergies or breathing issues in some sensitive individuals.
- Do not prepare a soapy solution with a lot of liquid soap as it could cause streaks or residual marks on the glass surfaces.
- Always wear safety gloves and a mask when using acetone or similar products for cleaning purposes. It’s ideal for people with sensitive skin.
- Ensure that the surface is porous or non-porous before initiating the cleaning process for chalk marker stain.
How Do Liquid Chalk Markers Work?
Chalk pens are instruments or artist mediums used for writing or other artistic purposes that produce lines with a chalky texture for beautiful artwork or art ideas. They are popularly known as liquid chalk since they use ink instead of powder. It provides a smooth finish than traditional chalk.
There are multiple choices in terms of sizes, colors, and nibs that an artist can use for their artistic escapades. Although these markers are termed chalk, they don’t actually contain chalk in their formulation. This liquid chalk gets deposited within the nib or porous tip.
Today students, teachers, and artists don’t use only whiteboards and blackboards. Chalkboard markers have been quite popular given their versatility. They can virtually be used on any type of surface. Markers tend to produce more opaque and vivid lines than regular chalks.
Liquid chalks are designed to dry out when exposed to air after they are drawn upon a surface. You can use a moist or wet towel to remove the ink as it binds strongly with the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How Do You Remove Chalk Marker from Porous Surface?
To remove chalk marker stain from a porous surface, you need to use a high-quality window cleaner along with some foam eraser. The ink might seep within the surface’s pores, but it can be cleaned with this solution.
Q: How Do You Get Chalk Marker Off Without Magic Eraser?
If you don’t have a magic eraser to help you out, use a quality eraser for the chalkboard. Several other tricks and household items can be used to get rid of the chalk marker.
First, start using a baby wipe or wet towel to remove the chalk marker stain. If that doesn’t work, a vinegar solution would also be ideal. 3:1 vinegar and water ratio would be perfect for properly cleaning any surface.
Q: Can You Use Windex to Clean a Chalkboard?
As explained earlier in the article, Windex is a great alternative for cleaning all types of chalkboards with written marks. Simply spray the Windex on your chalkboard and let it stay on the surface for a while. Wipe off the stain with the help of a soft, clean cloth. Repeat the process until all the stain comes off.
Final Words
You can find chalk marker stain on any surface, including an LED board, fabric, wall, coffee mugs/ceramics, wine glass, room/car mirrors, metal, menu board, acrylic/plastic, or wood. These solutions explained above will work on any of these surfaces.
The only thing you need to determine is whether it is among the porous or non-porous surfaces. Once this has been determined, you can choose the cleaning method that fits best to keep your space clean of chalk pen writing.
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