How To Remove Pencil Marks And Scribbles Around Your Home

Below are step by step instructions for how to remove pencil marks from your clothes, upholstery, carpet and more.

Pencil lead is generally not made from lead anymore, but is typically made of graphite.

No matter what it is made from though, when you get those marks all over items in your home you want them removed easily and quickly.

Whatever surface you get these stray marks and scribbles on, or if you spill some pencil shavings on something and it smears, your best friend will be an eraser.

The eraser will not always remove every single visible line, but it will typically lighten whatever marks you encounter, and make the rest of the process a lot easier if you use it first.

How To Remove Pencil Marks From Clothing And Washable Fabric

Step 1: Use a pencil eraser, either on a pencil or a separate one to lightly rub over the stray marks or smears and remove as much as possible.

Quick Tip: A pink eraser will typically work just fine, but on light colored clothing may leave a bit of a pink mark on the clothing (which will most likely wash out). However, you can also use a white eraser if you want to make sure no pink smears result.

Step 2: Brush away as much eraser bits as you can, and then pretreat the stain with a laundry stain remover.

I recommend using ammonia. (Click the link for more instructions.)

Step 3: Launder as normal, following directions on the care tag.

Hint: Make sure the stain or marks are gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain. Repeat if necessary.

Removing Pencil Lead Lines And Marks From Upholstery

Step 1: Use a pencil eraser, either on a pencil or a separate one, to lightly rub over the stray marks or smears and remove or lighten as many marks as possible.

Quick Tip: The same rules apply regarding what type of eraser to choose as with the clothing up above.

Step 2: Vacuum or brush off as much of the eraser bits as you can. Unlike with the washable fabric, this step is more important with upholstery (and carpet below) because you will not be able to throw this into the wash. Don't get these little marks stuck all over everything when you wet down the surface in the next step!

Step 3: Mix a solution of two cups cool water and one tablespoon dishwashing liquid.

Step 4: Using this solution, sponge the stain from the pencil lead with a clean white cloth.

Step 5: Next, blot at the solution until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 6: Repeat steps 4-5 until you remove pencil marks completely from the upholstery, or no more of the marks seem to be coming off.

Step 7: If the stain or marks are removed, skip down to step 10. Otherwise, sponge the marks next with ammonia.

Hint: Ammonia can be harsh on upholstery (or carpet) so make sure you first test this in an inconspicuous area before applying directly to the stained area.

Step 8: Next, blot at the solution until the liquid is absorbed.

Step 9: Repeat steps 7-8 until the marks are removed from the upholstery.

Step 10: Now that the stain or pencil marks are removed you should get plain cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution, and then blot dry.

Hint: Be sure to get the upholstery only as wet as necessary to remove the stain, but no wetter.

You can also get more information on how to clean upholstery here.

Pencil Lead Removal From Carpet

The instructions for how to remove pencil marks from carpet is the same as for upholstery.

Cleaning Pencil Marks From Hard Surfaces Like Walls, Counters & More

Of course, pencil lead doesn't just stain fabrics and textiles, like mentioned above. Instead, it can also get all over walls, or other hard surfaces.

Here is a tip for how to remove pencil lead stains from Corian.

In addition, I've got a couple suggestions for removing these marks from wall using either a Magic Eraser (the link takes you to a video on the site showing you how to do it) or baby wipes.

Unusual Use For The Graphite In A Pencil

Did you know that the lead in a graphite pencil can help you unstick a zipper?

To learn about this unusual use and about other home remedies for unsticking zippers click the link.

Do You Have Any Tips To Share For Removing These Marks & Stains?

I'm always looking for more tips and ideas for how to remove stains and clean up your home. You can share your stain removal tip here, for how to remove pencil marks and stains, or anything else. In addition, you can share your house cleaning tips here.

Get Even More Stain And Spot Removal Help Here

Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check out the A to Z Stain Removal Guide which gives directions for how to remove over 100 types of stains from all kinds of surfaces.

Fourth photo by Srthnow

Related Pages You May Enjoy

A-Z Stain Guide: Step By Step Instructions For Removing Over 100 Types Of Stains

Ballpoint Ink Stain Removal

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only. It is provided as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains and messes just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some cleaning methods can harm your item, so if what you want to clean or launder is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.