How to Remove Marker from Wood

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Markers can create a mess, sometimes causing damage to wooden surfaces. Permanent markers contain pigment, solvent, and resin. These ingredients are what make them permanent. The method you choose to remove marker from wood will depend upon the finishing treatment on the wood. You might even already have something around the house that will remove that pesky stain.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Permanent Marker from Finished or Painted Wood

1
Squeeze a generous amount of regular toothpaste onto the surface of the wood. You want basic white toothpaste. Not gel, whitening paste, or anything with abrasive crystals in it. The traditional white paste will do the trick without damaging the wood.^{[1]
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Research source} Make sure your marker stain is covered with a thick layer of toothpaste. You can apply more later if you don’t have enough.^{[2]
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- Sometimes rubbing alcohol or peanut butter can be used in place of toothpaste to remove marker stains, but toothpaste is usually more effective.^{[3]
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2
Dampen a washcloth. Grab a clean washcloth and hold it under running water. Any temperature that’s comfortable to you is fine. Once the washcloth is soaked, squeeze any excess water so that it’s damp and not dripping wet.

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3
Rub the toothpaste in. Using a circular motion, rub the toothpaste into the marker spot for three to five minutes or until most of the toothpaste disappears.^{[4]
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- Apply enough pressure that your toothpaste can penetrate the marker, but not so much pressure that you’re going to damage the finish on your wood.
- Add more toothpaste if the washcloth doesn’t move freely over the entire surface of the marker stain.
4
Wipe away any remaining toothpaste. Using your damp washcloth, wipe off any toothpaste that’s still left on the wood. Make sure you wipe in the direction of the wood grain, not against it. The wood will dry and any toothpaste should be gone.^{[5]
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5
Clean up your work area. Your marker stain should be removed. All you have to do now is clean up your area. Put away your toothpaste, dispose of your washcloth to be cleaned, and replace your wooden object if it’s movable.
6
Add baking soda if any marker stain remains. Repeat the previous steps, but add an equal amount of baking soda (for the amount of toothpaste) to your stain. This will add abrasion so use caution when you’re rubbing the mixture into the wood.
- If the baking soda doesn't work, follow the same steps using rubbing alcohol or peanut butter. Be sure to wipe away the alcohol or peanut butter with a damp washcloth, then let the wood dry before cleaning up.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Non-Permanent Marker from Finished or Painted Wood

1
Gather your materials. Removing the marker stain will be easier if you have all your materials ready and accessible before you start. You’re going to need:
- A mild abrasive cleaner or enzyme cleaner. You can get these at any big box store and most supermarkets.
- Rubbing alcohol, also available at most supermarkets, drugstores, and big box stores.
- A damp washcloth. Hold a clean washcloth under running water and squeeze out the excess water.
2
Turn the piece of wood so that the marked surface is accessible. You want to make sure the spot you’re cleaning is facing up so that the cleaner doesn’t run down the surface of the wood.
3
Spray the abrasive or enzyme cleaner onto the surface of the wood. Make sure you cover the entire area of the marker stain.^{[6]
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Research source} Let the cleaner sit for 2-3 minutes.
4
Wipe off the marker stain with a damp washcloth. Wipe in a circular motion until you remove the stain. This may take a few minutes. Rinse any remaining cleaner from the wood using a clean corner of your damp washcloth.^{[7]
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5
Remove remaining marker with a washcloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. If the stain is still there after using cleaner, soak your washcloth in rubbing alcohol. Wipe the alcohol-soaked washcloth over the stained area a few times, then rinse.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing Marker from Unfinished Wood

1
Wipe the marker stain away using a baby wipe. First, try to rub a baby wipe on the area where the marker has stained the wood. Make sure to rub with the grain, not against it. The alcohol in the baby wipe may remove most of the marker stain.
2
Sand the area with 80-grit sandpaper. You’ll first sand the marked area with 80-grit sandpaper. This should remove most of the stain, but will leave some abrasive pattern behind on your wood. Make sure to sand with the grain of the wood, not against it.
3
Sand the area with 100-grit sandpaper. Go over the same spot with 100-grit sandpaper until the entire stain is gone. Again, sand with the grain of the wood, not against it. This should smooth out the area and blend it with the rest of the wood.^{[9]
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4
Stain or treat the wood with finish. Staining or finishing the wood will protect it from future marker damage. You can get wood stain at any home improvement or big box store.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can you remove permanent marker from wood?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes, you can remove permanent marker from wood. If the wood is unfinished, you can use a baby wipe to help get rid of the marker stain. Be sure to wipe with the grain. If some of the stain still remains, you can sand the stain starting with 80-grit paper and finishing with 100-grit.
Question

How do you get Sharpie off painted wood?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

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For maker stains on painted wood, you can apply toothpaste to the stain. Once the toothpaste is on it, dampen a rag and use it to rub the toothpaste in. If the stain still remains, you can add some baking soda to the stain and reapply the toothpaste. Clean the wood to get all the paste off.
Question

How can I remove permanent marker from an exterior garage door made of wood?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can start by following the steps listed for removing permanent marker from finished wood. Because the wood door will be vertical, you will need to work quickly as the toothpaste used to scrub the stain will flow down with gravity. You may need to reapply more toothpaste if it drips too much.