How to Get Sharpie off a Desk

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Regardless of how careful you may be when using permanent markers, accidents can still happen. If you’ve got permanent marker stains on wood furniture, such as a desk, this post will help you feel more assured about how to remove the stain. 

So, let’s take a look at the top three methods for removing Sharpie stains from your finished wood surfaces.

Nail Polish Remover

For this method, you’ll need nail polish remover, cotton balls, and dry paper towels. 

• Start by adding a small quantity of nail polish remover to a cotton ball.
• Use gentle circular motions with the cotton swab to remove permanent marker stains.
• Continue rubbing the stain until it starts to fade. This may take longer if the permanent marker spots have been there for a while. 
• You may also need to reapply nail polish remover to the cotton ball if it dries up in the process of cleaning the stained surface.
• Once the mark has faded, use a clean damp rag or damp sponge to wipe the wood grain. You can then use clean paper towels to dry the area and any leftover residue. 

Toothpaste

You’ll need toothpaste, a clean cloth, water, and some dry paper towels. 

• Begin by squeezing your gel toothpaste onto the area that’s marked.
• Dip a soft cloth into the water and squeeze out any excess water until the cloth is damp.
• Gently rub the toothpaste into the desk using the wet cloth with a circular motion. The permanent marker stain will start to fade.
• Continue rubbing the surface until the stain disappears.
• Use dry paper towels to dry the desk so that any remaining toothpaste disappears.

Rubbing Alcohol

Grab some isopropyl alcohol, dish soap, a bowl, cotton balls, warm water, and a dry cloth.

• Combine one tablespoon of dish soap, one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and a couple of cups of cold water in a bowl.
• Mix the solution before dipping a cotton ball into the bowl. Squeeze it gently to remove excess liquid until it’s damp.
• Dab the cotton ball onto the stained area and rub it gently for a minute or so. 
• Use a damp cloth to clean the area once you’ve succeeded in removing permanent marker stains.
• Next, grab a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe away the solution and the Sharpie stain. If there are any marks left, repeat the process until the stains have vanished. 

Conclusion

The methods mentioned in this post are all effective ways to get rid of Sharpie marks from your desk. Permanent marker mishaps happen all the time. However, you can now feel more assured about how to remove marker stains from a wood surface and a painted wood surface.

You may find that the cleaning methods don’t work the first time round to completely remove permanent marker stains. This may be because the stain is old and thus, more difficult to remove. However, you can simply repeat the process until the stain is gone completely. Make sure to put some elbow grease into it to remove Sharpie stains.

FAQs

Can you damage a wooden table by cleaning permanent marker stains?

The cleaning methods in this post are generally safe and won’t damage most varnished wood or unfinished wood surfaces. However, it’s recommended to test a few drops of the solutions on an inconspicuous spot on the desk before applying them to a larger area.

If it does interact badly with the furniture, you can avoid it and try another method that doesn’t cause damage. 

Can a dry-erase marker stain be removed with Magic Eraser?

In most cases, a Magic Eraser can be an effective way to remove permanent ink from finished surfaces. Simply apply the Magic Eraser onto the stain. Many people find this to be an effective stain remover.

Can you use baking soda to get permanent marker stains off of wood floors/desks?

Yes, you can combine a small amount of baking soda with water in a bowl. Dip a cloth into the bowl and use it to gently scrub the affected area. Many people find this is effective at removing marker stains from wood as the baking soda helps to remove the stain without causing damage.

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