3 Ways To Remove Marker From Wood - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Remove Marker from Wood PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Removing Permanent Marker from Finished or Painted Wood 2 Removing Non-Permanent Marker from Finished or Painted Wood 3 Removing Marker from Unfinished Wood Other Sections Expert Q&A VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: August 7, 2025 References

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This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This article has been viewed 268,287 times.

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.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Removing Permanent Marker from Finished or Painted Wood

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  1. Step 1 Squeeze a generous amount of regular toothpaste onto the surface of the 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] 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]
    • Sometimes rubbing alcohol or peanut butter can be used in place of toothpaste to remove marker stains, but toothpaste is usually more effective.[3]
  2. Step 2 Dampen a washcloth. 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. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Rub the toothpaste in. 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]
    • 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. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Marker from Wood 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]
  5. Step 5 Clean up your work area. 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. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Marker from Wood 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.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Removing Non-Permanent Marker from Finished or Painted Wood

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  1. Step 1 Gather your materials. 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. Step 2 Turn the piece of wood so that the marked surface is accessible. 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. Step 3 Spray the abrasive or enzyme cleaner onto 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] Let the cleaner sit for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Step 4 Wipe off the marker stain with a damp washcloth. 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.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Marker from Wood 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.[7]
    6. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Removing Marker from Unfinished Wood

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  1. Step 1 Wipe the marker stain away using a baby wipe. 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. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Marker from Wood 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. Step 3 Sand the area with 100-grit sandpaper. 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.[8]
  4. Step 4 Stain or treat the wood with finish. 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.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

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  • Question Can you remove permanent marker from wood? Michelle Driscoll, MPH Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's 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 Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner 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. 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 4 Helpful 6
  • Question How do you get Sharpie off painted wood? Michelle Driscoll, MPH Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's 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 Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner Expert Answer 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. 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 8 Helpful 8
  • Question How can I remove permanent marker from an exterior garage door made of wood? Michelle Driscoll, MPH Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's 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 Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner 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. 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 6 Helpful 7
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Tips

  • If you can’t find toothpaste, try using baby wipes, a squirt of hand sanitizer or hair spray, then wipe immediately. The alcohol in these products may remove the marker. Don’t let it sit too long, or it can ruin the finish. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Consider sanding the entire surface of the wood if sanding one area changed the surface. It will result in a more uniform look. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • You can also use a penetrating oil to remove marker stains. Apply the oil to the stained area and let it soak in for 5 minutes. Use a clean rag to wipe away the oil. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Don’t use solvent or paint remover on unfinished wood since they will damage the wood. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
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Things You'll Need

  • Toothpaste
  • Baking soda
  • Washcloth
  • Abrasive or enzyme cleaner
  • Water
  • Baby wipes
  • 80-grit sandpaper
  • 100-grit sandpaper

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References

  1. ↑ https://tipnut.com/how-to-remove-permanent-marker/
  2. ↑ http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tips-2/how-to-remove-permanent-marker-from-wood.html
  3. ↑ https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/remove-permanent-marker/
  4. ↑ http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tips-2/how-to-remove-permanent-marker-from-wood.html
  5. ↑ https://tipnut.com/how-to-remove-permanent-marker/
  6. ↑ https://www.crayola.com/support/stain-tips/washable-dry-erase-markers/washable-dry-erase-markers-on-finished-wood-paint-stain-varnish/
  7. ↑ https://www.crayola.com/support/stain-tips/washable-dry-erase-markers/washable-dry-erase-markers-on-finished-wood-paint-stain-varnish/
  8. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/sandpaper-grit-chart/

About This Article

Michelle Driscoll, MPH Co-authored by: Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This article has been viewed 268,287 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 11 Updated: August 7, 2025 Views: 268,287 Categories: Featured Articles | Pen Ink and Marker Stains Article SummaryX

To remove permanent marker from finished or painted wood, start by squeezing a generous amount of toothpaste over the marker stain on the wood. Then, rub the toothpaste into the stain using a damp washcloth or towel. To remove regular marker from finished or painted wood, spray the marker with an enzyme cleaner or rubbing alcohol. Then, let the cleaner sit for a few minutes before rubbing it off with a damp washcloth. To learn how to get marker off of unfinished wood, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • J. Fletcher

    J. Fletcher

    Dec 20, 2019

    "Unbelievable! Years ago I thought I could 'antique' my new maple kitchen cabinets. I used colored markers..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Michelle Driscoll, MPH Co-authored by: Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner 2 votes - 50% Click a star to vote 50% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 11 Updated: August 7, 2025 Views: 268,287 J. Fletcher

J. Fletcher

Dec 20, 2019

"Unbelievable! Years ago I thought I could 'antique' my new maple kitchen cabinets. I used colored markers..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Jun 3, 2017

"Toothpaste removed most of a navy blue Sharpie marker. There was a lot of marker on the item, but now just a faint..." more Brianna

Brianna

Jun 19, 2021

"I had a Expo marker stain on my door. I wanted to do something about it so I tried this. This method was very..." more Nonie Hyde

Nonie Hyde

Apr 3, 2021

"My grandson drew with a black marker on my beautiful pine table. I used white toothpaste and followed directions..." more Aly Jaye

Aly Jaye

Dec 22, 2016

"Colgate Total Clean Mint white paste worked perfectly. I cannot believe how easily this came off with toothpaste..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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Tag » How To Remove Permanent Marker From Wood