How do you get that Sharpie mark off wood?

You probably already have most of these do-it-yourself treatments in your pantry or medicine cabinet.

Try one of these 10 at-home cleaning solutions to remove permanent marker stains from most wood surfaces.

How to Remove Permanent Marker Stains From Wood

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

If your wood is finished, unfinished, or stained, you may experience different results.

Dab, don’t rub, the spot with the cloth until the marker stain begins to lift.

Finally, wipe away the residue with a slightly damp cloth and pat dry.

Adding rubbing alcohol to a permanent marker stain on wood

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Do know that isopropyl dissolves varnish, so too many rounds will most likely damage the finish.

Use a clean, dry cloth to lightly dab your stain with an acetone-based remover.

Avoid rubbing the stain, as nail polish remover can damage wood finishes.

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

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

We highly recommend testing this method in an inconspicuous spot before really getting to work.

This should not be used on painted wood furniture, since acetone dissolves paint.

Wipe the residue away with a damp cloth.

Using hand sanitizer gel to remove permanent marker from wood

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Rub the hand sanitizer gel lightly with a soft cloth on the impacted area.

Simply spray the stain with a little bit of hairspray and wipe the residue away with a cloth.

The stain should begin to lift immediately.

Using Magic Eraser to remove marker stains from wood

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Magic Eraser

Magic eraserswork because of the melamine foam they contain.

Whatever the product brand, melamine foam can be used to remove spots from finished wood surfaces.

It seems counterintuitive but often works on finished surfaces.

Using baking soda paste to remove a permanent marker stain from wood

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Just don’t try this trick on unfinished surfaces.

You should start to notice the marker lifting from the wood surface onto your cloth.

Don’t sand too aggressively in one area because you risk wearing a spot into the wood’s surface.

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

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

Opt for larger, broad strokes instead.

Sharpie doesn’t permanently stain wood surfaces, so long as you remove it using the right cleaning method.

Yes, rubbing alcohol can damage wood.

Using vodka to remove a permanent marker stain from wood

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

The same methods listed here work for fresh ink and dried ink.

Try rubbing alcohol first.

Handbook for Critical Cleaning: Applications, processes, and controls.

Stain Removal, Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute