How to Remove Permanent Marker from Skin

Permanent markers can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how they are used. For people who are experimenting with tattoos and body art, permanent markers can be a blessing. But for parents of a child who uses a marker on his or her skin, or covers another child with marker, removing the ink can be troublesome. But fear not! The following tips will help you remove permanent marker from skin in a safe and quick manner!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• clean cotton balls
• toothpaste
• banana
• spray sunscreen

1. Search your home for one or more of the following: clean cotton balls or a rag; spray sunscreen; a banana; and a tube of toothpaste.

2. Depending on where the marker is and how much of each item you have on hand, choose your cleaning tool. Spray sunscreen works really well and you can usually just spray it on the marker and it will start running off. Be careful not to spray a child's face. Put the sunscreen on a cotton ball first and rub on the area that needs cleaned.

3. If you do not have spray sunscreen try using a banana. Cut it in half and rub the banana on the area covered in permanent marker. This should help remove much of the marker.

4. Another alternative is to use toothpaste. Rub it on and scrub it off.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray sunscreen works well on the scalp and hair, and is less messy (obviously) than toothpaste or banana.
• Keep toothpaste and sunscreen out of eyes.

[meridians]

on 8/16/2009 Great tips on the war against permanent markers!

[ceholmes]

on 7/20/2009 Great article, I will be using these tips to rid a stain from my fav. shirt! thanks! 5*

[joanhaines]

on 7/15/2009 I teach fifth graders, who occasionally have run-ins with markers. It just happens, somehow! These tips will come in handy.

[llparker]

on 6/23/2009 thats a great artcile for parents..lol

[evgnspaces]

on 5/30/2009 Nice to know with kids around. Permanent markers often get used on faces for make up.