How to Get Marker Out of Upholstery

Permanent marker can permanently stain upholstery.

Discovering permanent marker stains on upholstery is always disheartening. Permanent marker ink visibly mars any sofa or chair, making otherwise beautiful furniture look dingy. Pigments in permanent marker ink fasten to upholstery fibers, becoming more attached over time. The longer permanent marker stays on upholstery, the less restorable upholstery becomes. Since permanent marker stains proceed to permeate upholstery as long as they remain, treat stained upholstery immediately. Remove permanent marker stains from upholstery while they're fresh using basic supplies.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tbsp. bleach-free liquid dishwashing detergent
• 1 tbsp. of white vinegar
• 2 bowls
• Spoon
• White cloths
• Rubbing alcohol
• 1 tbsp. household ammonia
• White, dry towel

Instructions

1. Add 1 tbsp. of bleach-free liquid dishwashing detergent and 1 tbsp. of white vinegar to a bowl holding 2 cups of cold water. Mix the detergent and vinegar into the cold water.

2. Dampen a folded white cloth in the detergent and vinegar solution. Blot the stained upholstery with the solution, and then leave the solution on the upholstery for 30 minutes. During the 30 minutes, blot the marker stain with the solution every five minutes using a fresh cloth.

3. Moisten a folded cloth with fresh cold water. Blot the marker stain with the wet cloth until the upholstery absorbs the moisture completely. Rinse out the detergent and vinegar solution completely.

4. Dampen another folded cloth with rubbing alcohol. Blot the marker-stained upholstery with rubbing alcohol to dissolve any remaining permanent marker.

5. Moisten another folded cloth with fresh cold water. Blot the marker stain with the wet cloth until the upholstery thoroughly absorbs the moisture. Rinse out the rubbing alcohol completely.

6. Inspect the upholstery for remaining permanent marker. If the upholstery remains stained with marker, add 1 tbsp. of bleach-free liquid dishwashing detergent and 1 tbsp. of household ammonia to another bowl holding 2 cups of cold water. Mix the detergent and ammonia into the cold water.

7. Dampen another white cloth in the detergent and ammonia solution. Blot the stained upholstery with the solution, and then leave the solution on the upholstery for 30 minutes. During the 30 minutes, blot the marker stain with the solution every five minutes using a fresh cloth.

8. Moisten another folded cloth with fresh cold water. Blot the upholstery with the wet cloth, rinsing out the detergent and ammonia solution completely.

9. Blot the damp upholstery with a white, dry towel. Thoroughly dry the upholstery.

Tips & Warnings

• Spot-test the detergent and vinegar solution, rubbing alcohol, and detergent and ammonia solution on the upholstery to avoid damage.

References

• Sharpie: FAQs
• "Good Housekeeping": Stain Buster -- Felt-Tip Marker
• University of Illinois Extension Stain Solver: Felt Tip Marker