You never know when your child can get a little over-enthusiastic and scribble on your walls, tables and sofa with a permanent marker. Thankfully, the permanent marker stain can be washed away.

Here is a guide with cleaning tips on removing permanent marker stains from various surfaces in your home.

From Walls

Walls are simple to clean while dealing with marker stains.

  • Clean the stain with a commercial cleaner that is specially formulated for non-glossy or semi-glossy wall paint.
  • Apply white non-gel toothpaste and wipe it off with a clean damp cloth.

From Wooden Surfaces

Wood variants with different finishes are treated in different ways. If you’re unsure about what type of finish you have, we suggest you consult a professional.

  • Toothpaste is often used on varnished or unvarnished wood. Use a white, non-gel paste and rub it into the stain with a clean damp cloth, then wipe off.
  • Use rubbing alcohol to break down the stain, and wipe it off with a clean damp cloth.

From Leather Upholstery

Too much moisture will damage leather, so you need to use a method that won’t saturate the item.

  • Apply some hairspray onto the stain and wipe away with a clean damp cloth after a minute.

From Fabric Upholstery

You need to handle fabric upholstery carefully to ensure you do not damage the material.

  • Mix 1 tbsp. of dishwashing liquid and 2 tbsp. of white vinegar in 2 cups of water. Soak a sponge in this mixture and blot the stain. Then re-apply where necessary. Next, rinse with cool water. You could also swap vinegar with rubbing alcohol.
  • If your upholstery has removable covers, it’s a good idea to use laundry detergent. Just remember to check the advice on the care label to make sure the covers are machine-washable.

With the above hacks, you can easily get rid of permanent marker stains from various surfaces in your home.