Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

Permanent marker can really ruin the look of your wood furniture. While permanent marker is generally permanent you want to be careful to not further damage your furniture when trying to remove it. This is a guide about removing permanent marker from wood furniture.

Solutions: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

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White Gum Eraser for Permanent Marker

When my new coffee table arrived, it had these permanent marker lines (they could have been there for months, who knew where or when it was manufactured). I was afraid to try alcohol, so before buying the Mr. Clean sponges, I tried a regular white rubber eraser. You can see the results, just a very, very teeny remnant of the lines remain (all the black is gone), but you can only see them if you're looking at the correct angle. I polished it all up with Liquid Gold and it's beautiful.

Before:

Marker lines on coffee table.

After:

Table after removing marker.

Thanks for the suggestion!

By Paul S.

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Magic Eraser For Removing Marker

My son recently drew his Nan a lovely picture in permanent marker on her lovely new wooden dressing table. I went to the nearest Coles and bought a Chux Magic Eraser. It was all off in about five minute, good as new. Thanks Chux, they really are magic!

By jofish from Armadale, WA

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Questions

Here are questions related to Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture.

Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

How do I clean black Sharpie marker off wooden furniture?

By Sherry from Phoenix, AZ

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Most Recent Answer

By (Guest) 04/28/2012

Thank-you, used used colgate total to remove two year old's sharpie artwork from teen brother's bed, worked a treat and two year old survived too!

Removing Sharpie Marker on Finished Wood Table

I already tried furniture polish to remove on Sharpie marker on my finished wood table. Will that have put a "coating" over the marker, or will nail polish remover still work and if not, what will?

By Cheryl I.

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Most Recent Answer

By fuzzytufts 08/15/2011

Don't use nail polish remover it will take finish off.

Removing Sharpie from a Wooden Lamp Base

I have an oak lamp table that is stained, but not varnished. The top has sort of a butcher block affect. My granddaughter drew all over it with a black Sharpie marker. I tried fingernail polish remover, alcohol, and toothpaste. And all that did was lighten it in some spots. I tried sanding it thinking that would take it out and then I can restain it. But that didn't work either. I have it on the wall too. The wall has flat paint.

By VivianD.

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Removing Permanent Marker on Airbags

How do I get rid of permanent marker on an airbag that has vinyl and ridges?

By TS

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Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

How do you clean permanent marker off of wood coffee and end tables without ruining the finish?

Laurie from Havre de Grace, MD

Tip: Removing Permanent Market from Wood Furniture

Do you have permament marker on your wood furniture? Well don't worry. Go to the store get Mr. Clean magic easer. Apply it and wipe the marker away, it doesn't hurt your wood. By Desiree Woodward (10/17/2005)

Alcohol

Thanks so much for the help I tried pledge it didn't work, then I tried some wood cleaner that didn't work, then I tried alcohol it removed the stain right away! (11/13/2005)

By Celeste

Rubbing Alcohol

I was so mad at my son for using a sharpie on our new office furniture (also really mad at myself for letting him in the office unsupervised!) saw the postings and rubbing alcohol worked like a charm! no need to go out and buy the magic eraser!! (02/28/2006)

By vienna

Clean Magic Eraser AND Rubbing Alcohol

Wow!! Great site, my five year old found a sharpie and used it early this morning on laminate flooring, a computer desk, linoleum tile, a small wooden desk, the freezer, the fridge... I'm half expecting to find others.

I went to the drug store and sure enough both Mr Clean Magic Eraser AND Rubbing Alcohol (I used 95% Ethanol NOT 70% Isopropyl) were in stock. I found that the Ethanol worked well on the wood, but it left a trace in the linoleum. For some reason, it left a trace on the microwave, but took all the marker off the freezer and small wooden desk. I will post back with results of the Magic Eraser... but this has been interesting if nothing else.

Thank you VERY much to all for taking the time to post your experiences. (03/10/2006)

By Jim Jütte

Eraser

My daughter was using permanent marker to make pictures YIKES. It leaked through onto our brand new wood coffee table. I read on a site to use a regular old fashioned eraser. I didn't believe it, but what did I have to lose? It worked like a charm! You need a little elbow grease, but my coffee table looks new again! (03/10/2006)

By Tracy B.

Eraser

Wow what a life saver! My daughter just got permanent marker on our wood table, black, blue and red. Googled this site and found the answer. A regular eraser worked like magic. Thank you -- and my daughter thanks you since it will not be coming out of her allowance after all. (03/27/2006)

By Cali Nurse

Praise the Lord for the Magic Eraser!

I just told my daughter that when she goes to Sunday School tomorrow - she better Praise the Lord for the Magic Eraser! I cannot believe it just got green sharpie off my family room coffee table! Thank you everyone! (04/22/2006)

By Kathryn

Magic Eraser

I'm so happy I found this site. My 2 1/2 year old got hold of a blue sharpie pen and scribbled all over the front of my computer cabinet. I thought I was going to have to look at that forever. Using the pink eraser worked great but I had to really rub hard and my arm started to hurt. I then tried a magic eraser which worked fantastic. The marker came out completely and I didn't have to rub as hard. Thanks for the tips. I'm sure I'll be back for some other cleaning advice! (04/25/2006)

By Patty

Deodorant

i found that if you rub deodrant on the wood; then you erase it with a regular eraser it will go away 99.9% of the way and the rest blends in with the wood. THANK YOU LOTS! (05/16/2006)

By Mark landsfeld

Regular Eraser vs. Magic Eraser

A regular eraser was doing the job, but the Magic Eraser cut the time at least in half. Now I won't have to put the kids up for adoption when their father comes home! (05/18/2006)

By Carol

Goo Gone

People! The eraser did remove most of the permanent marker from my hardwood floor (with a lot of elbow grease, because my 2 year old damaged a large area) but the eraser also took the finish off the floor. I stopped, went to the pantry and grabbed the Goo Gone and decided to go for it with this powerful stuff, since nothing else was going to work. Guess what! 10 seconds after spraying it on the site, I wiped it with a dry cloth and it disappeared immediately. Goo Gone literally dissolves permanent pen on contact! And it did NOT remove the finish from my floor. I woudn't let it sit for more than a few seconds though, because it's super strong. I am amazed that it didn't hurt the finish and the ink is 100% gone! (05/24/2006)

By Angela

Magic Eraser

I can't believe the Magic Eraser took the Sharpie artwork of my two year old out in no time - with little effort! Saved my brand new dining room table! It is important to go back and wipe-down, other wise a chalky reside remains when dry. I just went immediately over it with half and half - H20 and vinegar. Looks perfect! Thanks for posting - your advice was a life saver... (06/03/2006)

By PK

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

I saw the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Idea and was about to run to the store first thing tomorrow, but I saw the Goo be gone listing by one guy and tried the stuff I have called Goof off. It took the marker off my laminate floor without the elbow grease. Cool. Thanks for the help. (06/11/2006)

By Janell in Roseville, CA

My Experience

First, I tried Goo Gone, which did not work for me. Then I used an off brand eraser. It worked like a charm getting the marker of, but it did scratch the table a little, which will no longer be noticeable the next time I polish the table (and it is probably only still noticeable to me).

Maybe it is more noticable because it is a light colored solid wood table, and not a darker or laminate wood finish (it is probably the same with solid wood floors as opposed to laminate wood floors). If it happens again I will try the rubbing alcohol first and then the eraser, which takes the marker off because it is mildly abrasive, not some secret chemical.

If I use the eraser again, I will polish the wood first, that way hopefully only the polish will get scratched away with the marker. (06/18/2006)

By Roxanne

Magic Eraser

I am SO happy I found this site. My 4 yr old got a hold of a BLACK permament marker and was putting dots on a piece of paper AND my husband was supposed to be watching her while I was cooking dinner. Needless to say he wasn't on top of the situation and there were little black dots on 2 nice size areas on the table. I went and got the hairspray thinking it would take it out... WRONG! Well after she kept throwing a fit cause I took the marker away from her and after I chewed my husband out I found this wonderful site. I used a magic eraser without using very much effort at all it ALL came out. I then washed the table down with dishwashing liquid and then used funiture polish and now it looks like my 4 year old never touched it and my husband is out of the doghouse. (06/19/2006)

By Tarena

Pencil Eraser

The regular pink eraser worked beautifully and FAST to remove black permanent marker from a Longaberger basket. I was amazed! Thank you! (07/22/2006)

By Valerie

Excellent Advice

I was writing on a CD with a permanant paint marker and somehow it got all over my hands without me knowing and then I proceeded to touch all over my desk with my hands. Brand new desk as well. Thanks for the advise. I used the deodorant and an average pencil eraser to help remove the oil-based paint marker. Thanks again!! (07/22/2006)

By Single guy with marker

Off Bug Spray

Thank you so much, OFF bug spray did the trick right away... How amazing!(08/05/2006)

By Cristen

Magic Eraser

I read the responses to this and thought, "No way this will work. I use the Magic Eraser for tons of stuff, but there's no way it will take indellible ink off of my mom's antique hutch. But it's worth a try."

Minutes later, the ink is gone. Unbelievable! Thank you so much! You just saved my three year old from boarding school! (08/17/2006)

By Erin

Off

The off worked perfectly on my countertop. (08/20/2006)

By Kevin

Tropical Off

Wow! Tropical Off worked on a black sharpie stain on my wood countertop. My 5 year old owes his video game privileges to you guys! (08/26/2006)

By Zak

Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

How do I get permanent marker off wood?

Michael from Auckland, NZ

Off Bug Spray

I had blue sharpie marker on the white textured surface of my fridge. The magic eraser faded it, the rubbing alcohol faded it more, and using a white gum eraser didn't do much. Thought for sure it was there to stay.

I am amazed! The Off Bug spray took it right "OFF!" I sprayed it and let it soak for a few seconds before simply wiping it off with the magic eraser. Thanks for the brilliant idea. (09/07/2006)

By Flo Mama

Off

I can't believe it but Off took black Sharphie marker off our newly refinished hardwood floors. Rubbing alchol didn't work at all but Off worked easily and quickly. I wouldn't leave it on too long - looked like it was going to eat the finish. (09/11/2006)

By Kelly

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

Glad I found this site, my wife and I had just bought a white night stand and "I" laid a home made CD face down on it and the words that were wrote in sharpie marker on the CD rubbed off onto the wood. I took the magic erase and nothing else, it rubbed off fairly easily with no signs of stains or anything!! (09/14/2006)

By Preston Bell

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

70% Isopropyl Alcohol works THE BEST. I can not believe it, but it amazingly worked on a painted wooden window where markings were done with black ink permanent marker (09/15/2006)

By Telesync

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

I really didn't expect the off to work. I live in a house that has twin 3 1/2 year olds and a 1 1/2 year old. They seem to get into everything! When I found my good wood furniture colored all over I was very upset but I found this site which suggested trying off! There is not a single mark left on my stuff. Thanks so much! (09/25/2006)

By L B

Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

How do you get permanent marker out of wood furniture?

Sally from St. Louis, MO

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

The Off really works great. I actually used Deep Woods Off since we live in MN and it came off after 5 minutes of scrubbing. Use a generous amount to take off the marker faster. I had permanent marker on a naturally finished oak coffee table. (10/14/2006)

By jim

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

OFF gets it off! We just moved back into our house after having the hardwood floors redone and 2 of our sons drew on the floor with sharpie. I ran around the neighborhood looking for OFF. It lifted most of the stain right away and got almost all of it off. There are a few faint marks left, but it will be covered with carpet. (10/16/2006)

By Theresa

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

I couldn't believe it but OFF really took it off! I used a marker to write a sign and the ink soaked through the paper on our oak desk top. I thought the writing would be there forever. Thank goodness I looked this up on the web! (10/21/2006)

By D. Brady

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

Thank you so much for whoever posted the info. about removing permanent marker with the magic eraser. My daughter got hold of a permanent marker and drew a picture that bled through to our coffee table. I just so happened to have a magic eraser under my sink and it worked!! Thanks again. (10/22/2006)

By Felicia

Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

How do you get permanent marker out of wood furniture? How do I get green sharpie pen off a new cherry wood desk?

Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

I have a dresser that my son drew on with a green marker. I do believe that it's permanent. I have tried toothpaste and nail polish remover. Nothing worked, I really could use some help with this. Thanks.

By sweeteyes84 from Wesson, MS

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

Try a regular pink eraser (not the one on the end of a pencil, the rectangle one). Sometimes it works, especially if the dresser has a shiny finish. It will leave a weird scuff mark that you can then remove with furniture polish. (05/31/2009)

By countessj

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

I've had good luck using rubbing alcohol. (05/31/2009)

By Cyinda

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

Magic Eraser. It may dull the finish slightly, I apply slight pressure in small circular motions. We used this to get permanent marker off my son's car after his ex-girlfriend wrote graffiti on the trunk. (06/03/2009)

By JWheeler

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

When trying to get permanent marker off dry erase boards I've used the non-permanent markers that come with the boards over the permanent marker then erase all of it with the board eraser that comes with the board. Good luck. (06/03/2009)

By crazyaboutjadin

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

I couldn't believe it, but just a regular pink eraser got permanent blue sharpie off my white veneer desk. Thank you. (12/26/2009)

By Maria

RE: Removing Permanent Marker from Wood Furniture

Thank you so much. I used a brown "gum" eraser because I didn't have a pink one and it took blue sharpie marker off of my dining table. Who knew? (01/10/2010)

By kjsvendsen