How to Remove Permanent Marker from Plastics

Co-authored by Guy Peters

Last Updated: April 12, 2022 References Approved

Removing permanent marker from plastic is easy, but you also have to be careful. Some of the more effective cleansers, such as acetone, can also ruin plastic surfaces, especially if they are left on the plastic for too long. This article will show you several ways to remove permanent marker stains from plastic surfaces. Keep in mind, however, that some stains may be too deep set and impossible to remove completely.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Removing Stains with Dry Erase Marker

1
Find a dry erase marker. The color does not matter, although you may want to consider using a darker-colored marker. This method works exceptionally well on dry erase boards and is safe to use on smooth, plastic surfaces. It may not be as effective on textured surfaces, however; instead, consider using some rubbing alcohol or baking soda and toothpaste.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.}
2
Draw over the stain with the dry erase marker. Dry erase markers contain solvents, which help dissolve the permanent marker.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Ahmed Mezil
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.}

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3
Wipe the area clean with a soft cloth. The permanent marker stain should come off with the cloth and dry erase marker.^{[3]
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Research source}^{[4]
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Expert Source

Ahmed Mezil
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.}
4
Use some glass cleaner if you can't remove the dry erase marker. If for some reason the dry erase marker dried up and you are unable to wipe it off (and thus the permanent marker) try spraying the area with a glass cleaner and then wiping it off with a paper towel.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Removing Stains with a Magic Eraser

1
Purchase a magic eraser sponge. You can find them in the cleaning department of most grocery stores. They are white and shaped like bricks. Be sure that you purchase a plain magic eraser, without any additives, such as bleach.
2
Cut the sponge into smaller pieces. This will make it easier to work with; a small amount will also go a long way.
3
Dip the sponge in some water. If the stain is particularly tough, consider using rubbing alcohol instead.^{[6]
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4
Rub the stain with the sponge using circular movements until it is gone. Do not press too hard. It may rake anywhere between five to ten minutes before you start seeing any results.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Removing Stains with Alcohol

1
Find some rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or acetone. All three will help dissolve the chemicals in the permanent marker, making it easier to dissolve. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of each:
- Rubbing alcohol is the safest to use, but it may not be as effective and you may need to use it a few times before you get the stain off. The higher the percentage, the more effective it will be. Try to get something that is 90% or higher.^{[8]
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  Research source}
- Hand sanitizer works great on curved surfaces because it holds its form better and does not drip as much. It will be about as effective as rubbing alcohol.
- Acetone is the strongest and most effective. It can remove paint and melt certain surfaces, so it is not recommended for painted surfaces and softer plastics. Consider testing in an inconspicuous area first. Simply dampen a cotton ball and press it against the area for a few seconds before wiping it away. If the plastic appears distorted or loses its color, do not use acetone; try rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer instead.
2
For curved surfaces and small stains, soak a cotton ball with the alcohol. If you are using hand sanitizer, squirt a few drops onto the stain and spread it with your finger so that the entire stain gets covered.
3
Wipe the stain clean with the cotton ball. This works well on curved surfaces as well as keyboards and phones. If the stain is stubborn, then soak a fresh cotton ball with the alcohol and hold it against the stain for a few minutes before wiping it away. Do not try this with acetone; acetone can melt plastics if it is left in contact with them for too long.
4
For flat surfaces and larger stains, pour the alcohol over the stain. Spread it around with your finger until it is covering the entire stain.
5
Wipe the stain clean with a paper towel. For stubborn stains, let the alcohol sit for a few minutes. Again, do not leave acetone on plastic for longer than a few seconds, or you may ruin the plastic surface.
6
Continue wiping the surface with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol until the stain is gone. Most of the stain should have disappeared after the initial treatment, but you may have some residue. Keep in mind that the longer the permanent marker has been on the plastic, the more difficult it will be to remove; in some cases, it may have soaked too deeply into the plastic. In this case, you may still see a slight "ghost" of the stain.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Removing Stains with Baking Soda and Toothpaste

1
Gather your supplies. You will need one part baking soda and one part white toothpaste.^{[9]
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Research source} How much you use will depend on the size of the stain. Be sure that the toothpaste is white (or a pale mint color) and not the gel kind; white toothpaste is more abrasive than gel toothpaste and thus more effective. Because this method uses abrasive materials, it is not recommended for painted surfaces, as it may scratch the paint. Consider testing the paste in an out-of-sight area first.
- For very small stains, you will probably need a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and baking soda. For larger stains, you will need up to a teaspoon or tablespoon of each.
- You will also need something to mix the toothpaste and baking soda in, such as a small bow, dish, or cup.
2
Mix the baking soda and toothpaste until you get a thick paste.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.} Measure out some baking soda and toothpaste. Make sure that you are using equal amounts, and mix them together using a fork or spoon. You can also use a toothpick or popsicle stick.
3
Spread the paste over the stain. Do not spread the paste too thinly, but also don't spread it too thick. If you can see the stain through the paste, you may want to consider using a little bit more.
4
Scrub the stain for a minutes. If the surface is very textured, consider using a toothbrush; the bristles will help you get into all of the little nooks and crannies. If the surface is very smooth, consider using a towel or your finger, and don't scrub too hard or you will risk scratching the surface.^{[11]
X
Expert Source

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.}
5
Rinse the area clean. The baking soda and toothpaste should have removed most of the stain, however, you may want to consider following up with some rubbing alcohol to get rid of any residue.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Removing Stains with Other Products

1
Try some tea tree oil. The oil will help dissolve the marker stain, making it easier to remove; it also smells much more pleasant than rubbing alcohol or acetone. Simply soak a cotton ball with some tea tree oil and rub it over the stain until it disappears. For tiny areas, consider using a Q-tip instead. When you are done, wipe the area clean with a paper towel.
- If there is any oily residue, soak a cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol and wipe it clean.
2
Buff the stain away with a pencil eraser. Make sure that you are using a good quality rubber eraser. This will be most effective on light stains and smooth surfaces. Simply rub the stain with the eraser until it disappears.^{[12]
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3
Try using some sunscreen.^{[13]
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Research source} Sunscreen contains oils, which can help dissolve the chemicals in the permanent marker stain. Keep in mind, however, that the oils in sunscreen can also stain certain surfaces, so you might want to test it out first on an inconspicuous area first.
4
Consider using some baking soda and vinegar. Sprinkle some baking soda over the stain, and then drizzle some white vinegar over it. Let the foamy mixture sit on the stain for a few minutes, then wipe it off using a towel.^{[14]
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5
Try some hydrogen peroxide. Be sure to get the type that comes in a dark-colored bottle from the first aid section of a drug store. Soak a cotton ball with some hydrogen peroxide and wipe it over the strain. For larger stains, pour the hydrogen peroxide over it and wipe it off using a paper towel.^{[15]
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6
Spray on some hairspray. The chemicals in the spray will help dissolve the stain, making it easier to remove. Spray the affected area, then wipe it clean using a paper towel. Keep in mind that the chemicals in some hairsprays may damage certain plastics. Consider testing in an out-of-sight area first before working on the stain.
7
Use commercial oil-based cleaning products with care. Products such as Goo-Gone and Goof-Off can be great at removing sticky residue and stains, including permanent marker stains.^{[16]
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Research source} However, the chemicals in these products may also ruin certain surfaces, especially if they are shiny. Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions and consider testing the product in an inconspicuous area first. You may also end up with some oily residue, which you can clean off by wiping a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol over it.

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Community Q&A

Question

My matte finish phone case has a lot of Sharpie marks on it. How do I remove the marks?

Community Answer

It would be best if you used hand sanitizer. The chemicals reduce the size of the stain, limiting the next step's product: rubbing alcohol. When done applying the hand sanitizer, add the rubbing alcohol.
Question

I got Sharpie marker on my plastic folder. I rubbed it with an eraser and some of it came off, but not all. How can I remove the rest of it without ruining the folder?

Community Answer

Try to use acetone and a cotton, if that does not work try to use tape remover or band aid remover. You can also try using hand sanitizer.
Question

I have a silicone rubber phone case, and I got some marker on it. What can I do?

Community Answer

It will not completely come off if it is permanent marker, but I found the best solution to be a magic eraser and rubbing alcohol. It got most of the stains off my case.

Warnings

Always test in an out-of-sight area first, especially if you are using chemicals such as acetone, sunscreen, and anything oil-based.

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