Permanent Marker Removal

Some research I did on the topic:

How do you remove permanent marker stains from carpet? Well, the bad news is that it's called "permanent" marker for a reason. Depending on how new and how deep the stains are, you may not be able to remove them completely.

You can almost always lighten stains, though, and sometimes make them unnoticible. There are other things you can do to hide the stain as well. Start with the method here to get out as much as you can.

First, thoroughly vacuum the area. This removes any loose dirt, dust or other substances that might give you trouble when you work on the stain.

For the carpet stain removal solvent, use rubbing alcohol or a non-oily hairspray. Use a small amount on a clean white cloth, and dab at the stain. You should see transfer of the stain to the cloth. Use another dry cloth to blot up the solution between applications.

Just apply the solution and blot it up several times. Then rinse the spot with clean water and blot that up. Finally, dry the area thoroughly.

Get Out The Remaining Stain

If you couldn't get it all out, and if the stain isn't too deep, it's time to cut out some carpet - just a little. Try snipping away the stained edges with small scissors or with a razor blade or exacto knife. Use tweezers to carefully pull out severely stained fibers.

When you try the latter, you might want to remove clean carpet strands from another, hidden area in the room, and then glue them into the stained area. Then leave a heavy object on the spot for several days before walking on it. That's how you remove permanent marker in all but the worst cases.

1 mom found this helpful

Try Oxyclean or Peroxide.

K.

I'm not sure if this will work on carpet but I always use hairspray to get ink and permanent marker out of clothes. It works like magic. I just spray the spot with any hairspary, let it set for awhile and then wash it. I guess you could try it on carpet. Good luck.

When my toddler used a permanent marker on my furniture, wall, and comforter my husband said use rubbing alcohol (that's what they use in the Army). I did, and to my surprise it came off!

L.- This just happened to me too about two weeks ago. I feel for you, hang in there. I have been reading some of the responses, and I am glad to hear of all of these great ideas. We own a carpet cleaner and I started with that. I then called a friend who also recently had the same problem and she said, save your money and call the professional carpet cleaners. So that is what I did. It cost about $100, but it worked! They also said, they would come back out if it came up again. I hope something works for you too. Good luck! M. PS- I have heard white viniger and Tide might work? worth a try???

Graham Haley, in his book of cleaning tips, suggests this method: Spray with hairspray, then rub with a bar of hand soap, wiping the area clean with a damp cloth. Finally, blot the area with a sponge dipped in a solution of water and laundry detergent and then, once again, wipe the area clean with a damp cloth.

I would think you'd want to try just a small area at first to see how well it's working. The variables are numeous, considering the types of markers and the types of carpet fibers.

I have used finger nail polish remover in many cases of permanent marker stains. I would clean the area after using the remover just to make sure it doesn't affect the children. Also test the remover in an inconspicuous spot to make sure it doesn't remove the coloring from your carpet.

Use Solu-Mel in the concentrated form.

It works very well.

M. L

Use Hot Spot it is an aerisal stain removal in the cleaning isle. It comes in a blue can with a red circle.

Try Spot Shot. A real estate agent recommended it to me. It work great on so many things. You can get it at most grocery stores. I know Walmart and Bed Bath and Beyond carry it. Comes in a blue can with orange lid.

Go to , www.shopzilla.com and type in the (search) , "Amodex Stain Remover Hot Box."

I've used sol-u-mel from Melaleuca to get out permanent marker stains, as well as other stains, and it works great without being harmful to your carpet, children, pets or you! If you'd like more information on how you can get it, you can visit my website at www.livetotalwellness.com/T. or respond to this email.

I had to call the carpet cleaners to get sharpie marker out of my carpet. It cost $50 for them to come out but they got it all completely out.
You can also try oops stain remover at walmart.

I use OxyClean! I use this through my whole house when using our steam cleaner. Mix some up as directed on label in a spray bottle and pretreat, then I add a little to the hot water part on the steam cleaner, and it works great. I have 3 kids and I have had stains from so many things and the OxyClean has worked. If you don't have a steam cleaner, you can still do it. The directions actually tells how to pretreat and then how to blot and rinse it out.

Toothpaste. Believe it or not. I have gotten nail polish out of my carpet with toothpaste. Do make sure that you rinse it all out b/c it will lighten the area if you don't.
Jenny

Hair spray takes ink out of clothing, spray onbefore washing, the cheaper the better and get a pump spray. You could try it on the carpet but it could also desolve some and make a bigger stain,use caution

Try using Spot Shot. It comes in a blue aersole can with an orange lid. My daughter colored all over my beige carpet with a marker and I was able to get it out with this product. The marker label stated it was permanent on fabrics. I was quite worried it wouldn't come out. I don't see any traces of it.

Good Luck!

When one of my children left a crayon in her pocket and I didnot find it until it had been through the dryer, I called the 800 number on the back of the bottle of SHOUT and they told me to put the affected clothes in the washer with hot water and dump a full box of baking soda in with it. Well, I also just so happened to have a shirt I thought was ruined 'cuz another one of my children had marked it up with and ink pen and I decided to throw it in the load too. Guess what?! Crayon AND ink pen both came out!!!! So, maybe try scrubbing the spot with baking soda and hot water and then wet vacuuming or steam vacuuming it up. It is worth a try.

I hope you get the stain out. As a mother of 4, I know how fun it can be removing stains. It is a never ending story. I just wish I would have invested in SHOUT stock when it first came out! I use it like crazy. Even on carpet stains!

Lots of luck
L. G

I'd try spot shot... that's the only thing that's worked with my daughter's nail polish on the carpet - good luck!

Try rubbing alcohol, i swear that stuff takes out anything. my daughter used permanent marker on her t.v and dvd player it came right up with rubbing alcohol!

Rubbing alcohol may help but be ready to blot as soon as you put it on cuz it could make the stain spread. Consult a professional! They can either get the stain out or cut out that piece of carpet and plug in a new piece. Good Luck! I will be checking back, I have a couple of spots in my family room...just havent gotten to them yet and not sure what works.

I have had hairspray work on tough stains...but not sure about the permanent marker, but it may be worth a try. And also baby wipes have worked on several things that other cleaners and solutions haven't.

Hi L.,

I agree, Sol U Mel will get rid of it. You can check my website or contact me and I can explain more about how you can get a membership (only $14,50 this month one time only) to be able to get this amazing naturally based products at a wholesale price for ever! And become a green mom too!:)
Best of luck!
M. Abadie
www.MyKidsFirst.com