Remove Permanent Marker from Counters and Appliances

Permanent markers are a great tool for many things, from making posters to labeling supplies where the labels have been wiped off. The problem with permanent markers is how difficult they are to wipe off surfaces where you do not want them to be. Like everything you do not want to happen, it seems like it happens all the time. Sometimes people will write on paper and it will bleed through the paper and mark up the counter or table, which is almost impossible to remove.

Even though it is advertised as a permanent marker, it is not really permanent. It is just very tenacious and difficult to remove. If you follow this tip, though, the permanent marker mark should become a thing of the past. You still may have to scrub a little bit, but it will become much easier than it has ever been before.

All you need to do is apply a little rubbing alcohol to the mark with a paper towel. If you choose, you can use a cloth instead of a paper towel, but the problem with this is that the permanent marker will then stain the cloth. Just rub the paper towel covered with rubbing alcohol over the stained area. The alcohol should dissolve the mark from the permanent marker. If that is not enough, soak an area of the paper towel with the rubbing alcohol and lay it on the affected area. Let it set for a few minutes while it dissolves the mark on the area.

This tip works great on countertops, but it is not limited to just that. Try it on any place that you want to remove permanent marker. Use it on that appliance you want to donate to goodwill or sell at a garage sale that still has your name written on it. Or use it on a backpack that your child has written all over. You will be amazed how much less permanent the "permanent" markers will become in your mind.