How to Get Magic Marker Off the Wall

Quickly clean up any creative catastrophes that end up on your walls.

When a young artist has created an impromptu mural on your wall with Magic Markers, removing it might sound like a nightmare. In reality, common household chemicals can be used to remove the stain with very little fuss. As with all stains, a rapid response is best -- the less time the Magic Marker has to sit on your wall, the easier it will be to remove. It may take time to get all of the marker off the wall, so patience and persistence are key.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Washcloth
• Sponge
• Magic foam eraser
• Toothpaste with baking soda
• Soft-bristled brush
• Nail polish remover

Instructions

Rubbing Alcohol

1. Dampen a washcloth with rubbing alcohol. Do not apply an excessive amount as anything that drips down your wall may contain pigment from the marker.

2. Scrub the marks with the washcloth. As the stain begins to lift from the wall, fold over the cloth and re-moisten it with the alcohol if necessary.

3. Rinse the wall with cool water. If any light stains linger, scour them off with a scrubbing sponge.

Magic Foam Eraser

1. Wet the surface of a magic foam eraser lightly with water.

2. Rub the eraser over the marks on the wall gently. Use a circular motion or scrub perpendicular to the direction of the marks until the stain is no longer present.

3. Rinse the surface of the eraser periodically as it picks up the marker stains. This will help to prevent any accidental transference of the stain if you use the eraser for future cleaning products.

Toothpaste

1. Spread a toothpaste that contains baking soda over the marks on the wall. Be sure to get a dense, even coating over all stained areas. Allow this to set for 15 to 20 minutes on the wall.

2. Wet a soft-bristled brush with water and scrub the toothpaste off of the marked area. Agitate the surface gently; too strong of a motion may damage the surface of the wall.

3. Clean the toothpaste residue off of the wall with clean water. You may need to rinse the area a few times if the toothpaste hazes over the surface of the paint.

Nail Polish Remover

1. Pour nail polish remover onto a clean washcloth. This product evaporates swiftly, so you can be liberal with the amount you use.

2. Blot the marks on the wall with the nail polish remover to begin to lift the stain. Scrub the area gently to remove the stain from the wall.

3. Rinse the wall area with clean water to remove any lingering traces of acetone.

Tips & Warnings

• Rubbing alcohol may de-gloss the wall slightly if it is used in excess. Test the alcohol on an inconspicuous part of your wall if this is a concern.

References

• Good Housekeeping; Does Hairspray Remove Ink Stains? A Cleaning Myth Busted; Christina Peterson
• Mrs. Clean: Cleaning Tips for Removing Ink Stains
• Circle Of Moms: Magic Eraser Works
• Lil' Duck Duck: 8 Ways to Remove Permanent Marker Stains
• The Fun Times Guide to Household Tips: Mr. Clean Magic Erasers