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How to Get Permanent Marker Off Wood

A toddler and wooden anything will never match. Aside from the various spills and messes that you will likely to clean up is the horror of finding your precious wooden walls or furniture coated with fun and exciting permanent marker colors! How do you remove permanent marker off wood without damaging its stain? Are there affordable ways to do it?

Removing permanent marker off wood techniques

Permanent markers marks are composed of different types of inks and compounds. New marks can be easily removed just by using ordinary household items while old marks are stubborn.

When left on untreated wood, these marks can seep through wood making it very hard to remove. This is why you must remove permanent marker marks as soon as you find them.

The method of removing permanent marker marks also depend on what type of wood you are treating. Some wood is quite easy to treat because of their naturally smooth and flawless grains while some need more help because of their coarse grains.

Things you will need

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Nail polish remover
• Toothpaste
• Baking soda
• Clean cloth

Instructions

Using isopropyl alcohol

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-varnish/

Isopropyl alcohol is a popular way to remove most oils, inks, and grease off the wood. It is very handy and you can purchase this almost anywhere.

However, you must be very careful not to excessively rub the alcohol on the mark because it can cause a haze to form on top of the wood and can even destroy the finish of your wood if you use too much. So use it sparingly and it will work wonders on wood with permanent marker marks.

Place a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball or a cotton swab if the mark is fairly small. Rub the cotton on the stain. Rub gently and soon you will see the ink transferring to the cotton ball or swab. You may repeat the steps with a new cotton ball or swab until the mark has completely disappeared. Rinse the area with water and wipe dry.

Using toothpaste

Source: https://lifehacker.com/5412007/toothpaste-combats-water-marks-on-wooden-furniture

Toothpaste contains baking soda, another good stain remover, and deodorizer. You can use any kind of toothpaste but preferably white toothpaste with active baking soda ingredient. You only need a small amount.

Use a small amount of regular toothpaste and place this on a cotton ball or swab. Apply the toothpaste directly on the marker stain. Rub the toothpaste on the mark. Do not rub too harshly to prevent scratching the surface of the wood.

Rinse the area with a clean cloth moistened with water. You may repeat the steps if you still find permanent marker marks on wood.

Using nail polish remover

Source: http://lireos.com/blog/remodeling-your-kitchen-should-you-get-a-dishwasher/

Nail polish remover can remove hard and thick nail polish. However, you may need to use this sparingly since it evaporates quickly and can cause a haze over the wooden finish. Use this only for very small marker marks.
Place nail polish remover on a cotton ball or swab. Wipe this over the mark. Do not scrub too hard because it can scratch the surface of the wood. Repeat the steps until you have managed to remove the mark completely. Use a clean cloth moistened with water to remove any haze.

Using baking soda

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Ink-Stains-from-Wood-Furniture

Baking soda in powder form or paste form can work wonders on stains. This is an effective stain remover, deodorizer, and sanitizer so you can use this in many other purposes other than removing ink marks.

Use baking soda as a paste: mix a part of baking soda and part water in a small dish. Mix the two ingredients well. Apply this on the ink mark. Make sure to cover the mark well. You may use your hands to gently rub the mixture on the ink. Use a clean piece of cloth to wipe away the paste.

If all else fails, consult a floor specialist. Heavy and old ink stains are very hard to remove. You might simply have to hide it with a rug if the mark is on a wooden floor. If the mark is on wooden furniture you might have to refinish the furniture piece all over again.

Conclusion

Permanent marker marks are a pain to have but it’s not impossible to remove. You can use these simple home remedies to remove permanent marker marks easily but if all else fails, you can simply hide or refinish your furniture. This is possibly the best course of action, especially for tough, old and dry marker stains.