How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard

Co-authored by Eduardo Peralta and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: November 5, 2022 References

Have you ever put something down on a dry erase board but realized too late you wrote it in permanent marker? Don't worry—it's a common mistake and it’s really easy to clean off. Keep reading for all the items you might have at home that can remove that stubborn permanent marker!

Things You Should Know

Wet the area with 70% isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe with a soft cloth until you lift the stain.
Spray glass cleaner on the whiteboard, wait a few seconds, and wipe with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.
Moisten a microfiber cloth with distilled white vinegar and gently wipe the whiteboard to remove permanent marker.

1

Dry erase marker

Dry erase markers act as a solvent for permanent marker ink. Take a dark dry erase marker and scribble over the Sharpie on your whiteboard. Be sure to cover the entire mark with the dry erase marker. Before the marker has a chance to dry, wipe your whiteboard with an eraser or a soft microfiber towel to lift the mark.^{[1]
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2

Rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol dissolves permanent marker off of a dry erase board. Fill a spray bottle or wet the corner of a microfiber cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Wet the mark on your whiteboard and gently wipe it with a soft non-abrasive cloth until you lift the stain.^{[2]
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- You can also use pre-packaged alcohol wipes to get Sharpie off a whiteboard.

3

Hand sanitizer

Sanitizer made with alcohol breaks down marker ink. Apply a pump of hand sanitizer onto a clean microfiber cloth and work it into the marks on your dry erase board. Wipe the residue off with a clean section of the cloth so you don’t leave any smudges.^{[3]
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4

Glass cleaner

Glass cleaner contains alcohol that works to treat stubborn marks. Any commercial glass cleaner like Windex will get permanent marker off your whiteboard. Just spray the glass cleaner directly onto your whiteboard and let it sit for a few seconds. Then wipe the mark with a soft microfiber cloth or paper towel to completely clean the board.^{[4]
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5

Acetone nail polish remover

Acetone works as a solvent to remove stubborn marks on your whiteboard. Wet the corner of a clean microfiber cloth with your nail polish remover and gently rub the permanent marker in small circles. After you completely lift the mark, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and dry it off to get rid of any excess acetone.^{[5]
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6

Hairspray

Hairspray dissolves the ink so it’s easier to wipe off. Spray a thin layer of hairspray over the entire permanent marker mark so and leave it to soak in for a few seconds. Take a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel to wipe the hairspray and Sharpie off of the dry erase board.^{[6]
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- If the whiteboard feels sticky from the hairspray, wipe it with a damp rag.

7

White toothpaste

Toothpaste gently scrubs the marks off of the surface. Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the corner of a soft microfiber cloth and wet it. Gently work the toothpaste into the surface of the whiteboard over the permanent marker. Keep scrubbing until the mark lifts up completely. Then, rinse the area with a damp cloth to remove any residue.^{[7]
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- Lightly scrub at the marker residue, but don't press down hard since you could damage the coating on the whiteboard.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Eduardo Peralta
  House Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}

8

Vinegar

Vinegar breaks down light marker stains from the whiteboard. You can use the white distilled vinegar you have in your kitchen to clean in a pinch. Wet the corner of a microfiber cloth with the vinegar and gently wipe the permanent marker. Just put in a little elbow grease to lighten the marks on your whiteboard.^{[9]
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9

Magic Eraser

A gentle scrub with a Magic Eraser removes really stubborn marks. Wet the Magic Eraser so it’s easier to work with. Gently scrub the permanent marker with the non-abrasive side of the Magic Eraser so you don’t damage the whiteboard.^{[10]
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10

Muscle ache cream

Cream like Ben-Gay has alcohol that lifts marker from the whiteboard's surface. You can buy muscle ache cream from your local pharmacy. Take a pea-sized amount of the cream on a microfiber cloth and gently wipe it over the permanent marker.^{[11]
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11

Whiteboard cleaner

Specialty cleaners are specifically made to break down marker residue. You can buy the cleaner from an office supply store or online. Spray the cleaner directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few seconds before wiping it off with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Eduardo Peralta
House Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}

Expert Q&A

Question

Are magic erasers abrasive?

Eduardo Peralta
House Cleaning Specialist
Eduardo Peralta is a House Cleaning Specialist and the Manager of Best Maid House Cleaning based in San Jose, California. With over five years of experience, Eduardo and the Best Maid House Cleaning team specialize in home deep-cleaning, post-construction cleaning, and green and eco-friendly cleaning services. Best Maid House Cleaning is fully licensed and insured.

Eduardo Peralta

House Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, they are! Be careful when using them on your white board, giving it only a light scrub with water or another cleaning solution.

Warnings

Avoid using abrasive cleaners, such as scouring powders or baking soda, since they could damage the whiteboard surface and make marks harder to remove later on.^{[13]
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