Despite knowing that permanent markers are in fact permanent, we've all stained at least one surface we had no intention of applying ink to. Whether it's a marker that dropped tip-down right onto your clothes or a piece of furniture one of your kids decided to "express their creativity" on, permanent marker stains can be extremely difficult to remove. "That's why they're called permanent," says Carolyn Forté, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.
Still, with a bit of hard work, persistence and the right tools, it is possible to get rid of stubborn permanent marker stains on almost any surface. Whether or not you're able to fully get the stain out will depend on the materials, ink color and how much time has passed since the incident. That being said, we rounded up expert-approved tips that will give you the best shot at removing permanent marker stains once and for all — plus the Sharpie-recommended product we recommend if all else fails.
Clothes
Place the stain face down on clean paper towels. Sponge rubbing alcohol into the area around the stain, and then apply it directly to the stain. Continue sponging the stain with alcohol, transferring as much ink as possible to the paper towels, and replacing the towels as needed. Rinse thoroughly and launder.
Skin
Pour rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel, then use it to rub off the ink. You can use a gritty hand soap or cleansing cream to do the job, too.
Upholstery and Carpet
Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent, like Dawn Dish Soap, and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of cool water. For upholstery, sponge the stain with the solution and a white cloth. Leave the solution on the stain for at least 30 minutes, blotting every five minutes with more solution. Flush with cool water and dab until the liquid is absorbed. Sponge the stain with rubbing alcohol and blot. Then, sponge with cold water and dab until the liquid is absorbed.
For carpet, follow the same steps, but after using the same dishwashing detergent and white vinegar solution, check to see if the stain remains. If so, try sponging it with rubbing alcohol. Let it air dry and dab with cold water. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
Plastic
First, dip a microfiber cloth or a few cotton balls into rubbing alcohol. Gently rub the stain with the cloth until it starts to disappear. Remember to proceed slowly and carefully to ensure you don't damage the surface.
Wood
To clean permanent marker on wood, you can use rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth — just be sure to dab, not rub. If you can't fully get out the stain after dabbing, the alcohol should at least soften the ink. At that point, try to carefully scrape the ink off with a plastic spatula or credit card.
"Always test in a hidden spot and follow up with an application of furniture polish to buff and camouflage the repair. Hopefully, it will look better than the permanent marker stain," says Forté.
How to Use Amodex
If these methods fail, Sharpie recommends Amodex Ink and Stain Remover. You can use the product on all the surfaces mentioned above, as long as you follow the correct instructions. We've created a guide on how to use Amodex when all else fails.
Skin: Apply a few drops directly on skin or apply to a wash cloth, then rub the stained area. Rinse with water and repeat until the stain is gone.
Note: You should never wet the stain on your skin before using Amodex.
Plastic: Apply a thin coat of Amodex to the stained area and leave it on for several hours or overnight. In the morning, wipe the spot clean with a damp cloth.
Wood: According to Amodex, you should apply a thin coat of the product to the stained area before rubbing it in with a dry Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Carpet and Upholstery: Apply a few drops of Amodex to your stain and rub it in with a toothbrush or cloth. Continue rubbing the stained area until it disappears. Be careful not to rub too hard on delicate surfaces. Rinse the Amodex and air dry (or dry with a hairdryer) to avoid any watermarks on delicate fabric.
Clothes: Make sure your garment is dry. Then apply Amodex to the stain, but do not wet the area. Rub it in well with a stiff brush or your fingernail. Continue rubbing until the ink is almost gone. Rinse or launder. The center area of marker stains will disappear first. Keep rubbing until the edges are clean.
Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC's TODAY.com, where she covered everything from entertainment news to pop culture updates.
