You no longer have to be scared of permanent markers again.

There are about six different methods to try, depending on the surface you’re working with.

Want more cleaning and organizing tips?

Using a dry erase marker to remove a permanent marker stain from wood

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Never use nail polish remover on fabrics or upholstery as this can bleach the surface.

For the same reasons as nail polish remover, avoid using hand sanitizer on fabrics or upholstery.

If the stain remains after attempting one of these methods, repeat the process.

Cotton swab applying rubbing alcohol to permanent marker stain on gray tank top

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Because of that, you could use the nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol method for easy removal.

To make these methods more effective, pre-treat the area with warm, soapy water.

Don’t forget to rinse after the stain has been removed to remove lingering alcohol.

Blotting the garment with rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

All you need is a dry-erase marker (the kind you’d use to write on a whiteboard).

Completely mark over the sharpie stain with your dry-erase marker and then wipe it away with a clean cloth.

Yes, you’ve got the option to use hairspray to remove Sharpie from several surfaces.

Using nail polish remover to remove a permanent marker stain on wood

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Plus, hairspray is easy to apply to a stained area, too!

Blotting the highlighter stain with hand sanitizer

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Preparing to deep clean towels with vinegar and baking soda

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Hairspray stain on a yellow blouse

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Using Magic Eraser to remove marker stains from wood

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Cleaning the wall surface with rubbing alcohol

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Using rubbing alcohol to remove remaining traces of stain

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

person rubbing marker off of a plastic surface

The Spruce / Michele Lee

Using vodka to remove a permanent marker stain from wood

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

cloth cleaning windows

Mima88 / Getty Images

A person using a sponge to wipe down tiles.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Stains on seal slate floor spot-treated with isopropyl rubbing alcohol and sponge

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Person wiping down the handle on a stainless steel fridge door with a cleaning cloth

Grace Cary / Getty Images