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Categories
Home and Garden
Housekeeping
Stain Removal
Pen Ink and Marker Stains
How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard: 11 Methods Download ArticleExplore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Dry erase marker 2 Rubbing alcohol 3 Hand sanitizer 4 Glass cleaner 5 Acetone nail polish remover 6 Hairspray 7 White toothpaste 8 Vinegar 9 Magic Eraser 10 Muscle ache cream 11 Whiteboard cleaner + Show 8 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Eduardo Peralta and Hunter Rising
Last Updated: November 8, 2025 Fact Checked
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This article was co-authored by Eduardo Peralta and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Eduardo Peralta is a House Cleaning Specialist based in San Jose, Califoria. He is the Manager of Best Maid House Cleaning, a cleaning company that services San Jose and the Silicon Valley area. With over six 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. They also offer move-in/move-out services and always make customer satisfaction their #1 priority. Best Maid House Cleaning is fully licensed and insured. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 251,091 times.
Have you ever put something down on a dry-erase board but realized too late that 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.
Steps
1
Dry erase marker
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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.
Advertisement 2
Rubbing alcohol
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Rubbing alcohol dissolves permanent marker off 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.[1]XResearch source
You can also use pre-packaged alcohol wipes to get Sharpie off a whiteboard.
3
Hand sanitizer
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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.[2]XResearch source
Advertisement 4
Glass cleaner
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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.[3]XResearch source
5
Acetone nail polish remover
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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.[4]XResearch source
Advertisement 6
Hairspray
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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.[5]XResearch source
If the whiteboard feels sticky from the hairspray, wipe it with a damp rag.
7
White toothpaste
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Toothpaste gently scrubs the marks off 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.[6]XResearch source
Lightly scrub at the marker residue, but don't press down hard since you could damage the coating on the whiteboard.[7]X Expert Source Eduardo PeraltaHouse Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview
Advertisement 8
Vinegar
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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.[8]XResearch source
9
Magic Eraser
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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.[9]XResearch source
Advertisement 10
Muscle ache cream
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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.[10]XResearch source
11
Whiteboard cleaner
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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.[11]X Expert Source Eduardo PeraltaHouse Cleaning SpecialistExpert Interview
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Expert Q&A
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Question Are magic erasers abrasive? Eduardo Peralta House Cleaning Specialist Eduardo Peralta is a House Cleaning Specialist based in San Jose, Califoria. He is the Manager of Best Maid House Cleaning, a cleaning company that services San Jose and the Silicon Valley area. With over six 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. They also offer move-in/move-out services and always make customer satisfaction their #1 priority. 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 10 Helpful 14
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Tips
Baby oil could help you get Sharpie off of a whiteboard. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Try using a pencil eraser to remove permanent marker from your dry-erase board. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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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.[12]XResearch sourceThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Co-authored by: Eduardo Peralta House Cleaning Specialist This article was co-authored by Eduardo Peralta and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Eduardo Peralta is a House Cleaning Specialist based in San Jose, Califoria. He is the Manager of Best Maid House Cleaning, a cleaning company that services San Jose and the Silicon Valley area. With over six 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. They also offer move-in/move-out services and always make customer satisfaction their #1 priority. Best Maid House Cleaning is fully licensed and insured. This article has been viewed 251,091 times. 31 votes - 84% Co-authors: 18Updated: November 8, 2025 Views: 251,091 Categories: Featured Articles | Pen Ink and Marker Stains In other languages Portuguese Spanish Italian Russian German French Indonesian Dutch Japanese
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Jun 25, 2025
"White toothpaste and glass cleaner, along with a non-static cloth, did the trick. I can no longer notice the marks, and the board works fine, too. Thanks!"..." more Rated this article:
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Aug 17, 2018
"The cheapest and quickest way to remove a permanent marker in a white board is by using Colgate as you suggested above. Thank you so much."..." more
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Download Article Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Dry erase marker 2 Rubbing alcohol 3 Hand sanitizer 4 Glass cleaner 5 Acetone nail polish remover 6 Hairspray 7 White toothpaste 8 Vinegar 9 Magic Eraser 10 Muscle ache cream 11 Whiteboard cleaner + Show 8 more... - Show less... Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Co-authored by Eduardo Peralta and Hunter Rising 
7 Ways to Clean Permanent Marker off Ceramic Tile 
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Co-authored by: Eduardo Peralta House Cleaning Specialist This article was co-authored by Eduardo Peralta and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Eduardo Peralta is a House Cleaning Specialist based in San Jose, Califoria. He is the Manager of Best Maid House Cleaning, a cleaning company that services San Jose and the Silicon Valley area. With over six 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. They also offer move-in/move-out services and always make customer satisfaction their #1 priority. Best Maid House Cleaning is fully licensed and insured. This article has been viewed 251,091 times. 31 votes - 84% Co-authors: 18 Updated: November 8, 2025 Views: 251,091 Categories: Featured Articles | Pen Ink and Marker Stains In other languages Portuguese Spanish Italian Russian German French Indonesian Dutch Japanese 
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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. Advertisement 
Rubbing alcohol dissolves permanent marker off 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.[1] 
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.[2] Advertisement 
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.[3] 
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.[4] Advertisement 
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.[5] 
Toothpaste gently scrubs the marks off 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.[6] 
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.[8] 
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.[9] Advertisement 
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.[10] 
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.[11] Advertisement 
Eduardo Peralta House Cleaning Specialist Eduardo Peralta is a House Cleaning Specialist based in San Jose, Califoria. He is the Manager of Best Maid House Cleaning, a cleaning company that services San Jose and the Silicon Valley area. With over six 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. They also offer move-in/move-out services and always make customer satisfaction their #1 priority. Best Maid House Cleaning is fully licensed and insured.