How To Remove Sharpie Ink From Hard Surfaces

Many people have shared how to remove Sharpie ink from various surfaces around their home on this site, as well as written in asking me this same question.

I previously wrote a page about permanent marker removal from walls, so if you need that help check there. However, these marks get on more than just walls, including onto things like plastics, appliances and even computers. If you need help with that then this is the page for you.

Below I've gathered tips from readers, as well as ideas from around the web that can help you with sharpie ink removal, so you can get back to enjoying your life instead of gnashing your teeth over frustrations like these.



Top photo courtesy of dvanhorn, and second photo see credits below

How To Remove Permanent Marker From Laptop

I found these photos on Flickr Creative Commons about when a cute little boy wrote all over his parents' laptop with a Sharpie.

Stuff like this happens all the times in homes with small kids. I should know, since I've got three kids of my own. You just turn your back for a second and BAM, they've found a marker and are scribbling everywhere with it.

One of the easiest ways to remove any kind of permanent markers, including Sharpies, from hard surfaces is to use rubbing alcohol. As you can see from the pics that is exactly what the Mom did to remove the marks from the computer.

Of course, on any electrical surface, you have to be careful with any liquid you use to clean something up, to make sure you don't get components of the machine wet and cause problems.

Use cotton balls, q-tips, paper towels, etc. to put a small amount of rubbing alcohol on (damp, not dripping with liquid), and then rub that onto the electronic equipment, instead of spritzing or pouring alcohol directly onto the machine itself.

There are actually a lot of uses for rubbing alcohol in your home, for cleaning and stain removal. You can read my article with 10 rubbing and isopropyl alcohol uses for cleaning and more here.

Use An Orange Peel To Remove Permanent Marker Marks

Below is a video where a man demonstrates how to use an orange peel to remove permanent marker marks from various surfaces.

Specifically, in the video he removes permanent marker from plastic.

He states that to make the orange peel most effective you should rub it a bit to bring out the oils within the peel.

Then, you just rub the orange peel onto the permanent marker stain, using elbow grease, to get rid of it.

I have never used this method for permanent marker removal so I cannot personally vouch for its effectiveness. It does make some sense that it might work though because orange oil is commonly used in citrus cleaners because it cleans so well. (You can check out this essential oil use chart to find out more uses for essential oils in cleaning your home and keeping laundry clean.)

Therefore, I would love to hear from people in the comments about whether this tip has worked for them or not.

***Update: Carrie shared this comment:

Lemon essential oil works for permanent marker too!

***End Update

That would explain, potentially, why the orange peel works then. Thanks for sharing that Carrie!



Lots of things can dirty or stain plastic, not just permanent marker. You can share your tips for cleaning plastic here, or read other tips already submitted for getting plastic surfaces in your home looking their best.

Photo by fdecomite

Sharpie Ink Removal From Appliances: How I Did It

by Jane

Jane says:

After trying finger nail polish remover and alcohol on permanent Sharpie ink stains on my washer and dryer, my husband brought out the big guns.

He had a can of carburetor cleaner and it removed the ink instantly.

Carburetor Cleaner {Referral Links}

Taylor says:

Thanks for sharing this tip Jane.

You're right - sometimes typical home remedies just won't budge these marks on items in your home.

I would caution everyone though when using a product for something other than its intended use (and using carburetor cleaner on your household appliances would be one of them) to first test such a product in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it does not harm the surface you're trying to clean up.

Has anyone else used something like this to get rid of these marks? If so, I'd love to hear from you too! (Click here to share your own tips or read others already submitted.)

Removed Sharpie From Refrigerator Door With Magic Eraser + Eau De Toilette

by Shannon

I received this tip for how to remove Sharpie ink from a refrigerator door from Shannon.

Shannon says:

I just removed (fairly fresh) Sharpie from an orange peel textured refrigerator door with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and eau de toilette.

I do stink of it, but it was EASY! I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself.

Taylor says:

Thanks for letting me share your tip Shannon off of Stain Removal 101's Facebook wall.

That is awesome that you could so easily remove a marker that is meant to be permanent. The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser has lots of uses in the home too.



I would say, however, that the reason the perfume worked to help remove the Sharpie was because of the alcohol it contains within it. I would suggest next time to save the expensive smelling stuff for your own use, and instead try rubbing alcohol, which I bet is the active ingredient which actually removed the stain!

***Update: I got a note from Shannon after I published this saying:

Hey there, just wanted to let you know that I did try alcohol along with Windex and the Magic Eraser by itself, and was getting nowhere ;) It was only with the eau de toilette (super cheap Avon brand) that I made any progress. :)

I guess that means rubbing alcohol wouldn't work there after all! Who knows what is in that stuff, but if it works, great!***

So, does anyone else have any tips for how to remove sharpie ink from hard surfaces, or any surfaces for that matter? If so, please share your tips here, and I will feature them on the site. You can also read other tips which have already been submitted.

In addition, you can share your tips for how to clean refrigerator here, or read even more already submitted.

Photo by oskay

Related Links On This Site

House Cleaning Tips & Tricks For Busy Moms

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