How to Clean Graphite Markings off Pencils

If you are an artist who uses graphite pencils, then you have probably had to deal with dirty pencils and the affect it has on your drawings. A dirty pencil will deposit unwanted marks on your art and will leave a mark that is not crisp and sharp. Learn how to remove the graphite marks from your pencil so all your drawings will be clean and spotless.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Graphite pencils
• Disposable gloves
• Eraser
• Napkin or towel
• All-purpose cleaner

1. Place gloves on both of your hands. These gloves will prevent transferring the graphite back onto your pencil after you have cleaned off the marks.

2. Grab the eraser and little by little move around the pencil. Remove as many of the graphite marks as possible. Some marks may not come off with the eraser.

3. Take a napkin or towel and spray a small amount of the all-purpose cleaner onto it. For any marks the eraser did not clean, wipe them with the moistened napkin or towel. Rub hard on the marks and be patient, it might take some work to remove them.

4. Discard your gloves and enjoy drawing with your clean graphite pencil.

Tips & Warnings

• You may not be able to clean some marks completely because some of the graphite may be permanently stuck on the pencil.
• To keep your pencil clean, you can use a paper towel to remove any graphite that has stuck to the pencil after sharpening it.