Introduction
Accidents happen, and permanent marker is one of those substances that can be particularly difficult to remove from clothing. Whether it’s a child who has been creative with their artwork or an adult who has inadvertently marked their favorite outfit, it can seem like permanent marker is here to stay. But fear not – there are several solutions you can try to get permanent marker out of your clothes.
Rubbing Alcohol
One of the most common solutions for removing permanent marker stains is rubbing alcohol. This should be applied directly onto the stain and left for a few minutes before scrubbing with a cloth or brush. The alcohol should help to loosen the stain and make it easier to remove. This method works best on lighter fabrics such as cotton and linen, but can also be used on darker fabrics such as polyester or nylon.
Pros: Rubbing alcohol is easy to find and relatively inexpensive. It is also effective at removing permanent marker stains.
Cons: It can be harsh on delicate fabrics, so it is important to test it on an inconspicuous area first. Rubbing alcohol also has a strong smell, so it may not be suitable for use in a confined space.
Nail Polish Remover
Another popular solution for removing permanent marker stains is nail polish remover. As with rubbing alcohol, you should apply the nail polish remover directly onto the stain and leave for a few minutes before scrubbing with a cloth or brush. Nail polish remover is more gentle than rubbing alcohol, so it is better suited for delicate fabrics. However, it is important to note that it can also be harsh on some fabrics, so you should always test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Pros: Nail polish remover is less harsh than rubbing alcohol and can be effective at removing permanent marker stains. It is also relatively easy to find and inexpensive.
Cons: Nail polish remover has a strong smell and can be harsh on some fabrics, so it is important to test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Hair Spray
Hair spray is another effective solution for removing permanent marker stains. All you need to do is spray the stained area with hairspray and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a cloth or brush. Hair spray is usually safe to use on all types of fabrics, but it is still recommended to test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Pros: Hair spray is easy to find and relatively inexpensive. It is also usually safe to use on all types of fabrics.
Cons: Hair spray can have a strong smell, so it may not be suitable for use in a confined space.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is another popular solution for removing permanent marker stains. Simply apply the hand sanitizer directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a cloth or brush. Hand sanitizer is usually safe to use on all types of fabrics, but it is still recommended to test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Pros: Hand sanitizer is easy to find and relatively inexpensive. It is also usually safe to use on all types of fabrics.
Cons: Hand sanitizer can have a strong smell, so it may not be suitable for use in a confined space.
WD-40
WD-40 is another solution for removing permanent marker stains. All you need to do is spray the stained area with WD-40 and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a cloth or brush. WD-40 is usually safe to use on all types of fabrics, but it is still recommended to test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Pros: WD-40 is easy to find and relatively inexpensive. It is also usually safe to use on all types of fabrics.
Cons: WD-40 can have a strong smell, so it may not be suitable for use in a confined space.
Dish Soap and Water
If you don’t have any of the above solutions on hand, you can also try using dish soap and water. Simply mix the dish soap and water together and apply it directly onto the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a cloth or brush. Dish soap and water is usually safe to use on all types of fabrics, but it is still recommended to test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Pros: Dish soap and water is easy to find and relatively inexpensive. It is also usually safe to use on all types of fabrics.
Cons: Dish soap and water may not be as effective as other solutions for removing permanent marker stains.
Citrus-Based Cleaner
Finally, you can also try using a citrus-based cleaner. This type of cleaner is specifically designed to remove stubborn stains, so it is ideal for permanent marker. Simply apply the cleaner directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a cloth or brush. Citrus-based cleaner is usually safe to use on all types of fabrics, but it is still recommended to test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Pros: Citrus-based cleaner is specifically designed to remove stubborn stains, so it is usually more effective than other solutions. It is also usually safe to use on all types of fabrics.
Cons: Citrus-based cleaner can be more expensive than other solutions, so it may not be suitable for those on a budget.
Conclusion
Accidents happen, and permanent marker is one of those substances that can be particularly difficult to remove from clothing. Fortunately, there are several solutions you can try to get permanent marker out of your clothes. These include rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, hair spray, hand sanitizer, WD-40, dish soap and water, and citrus-based cleaner. Each of these solutions has its own pros and cons, so it is important to consider which one is right for you before attempting to remove the stain.
