How To Get Dry Erase Marker Out Of Clothes

Despite how common this type of stain is, not everybody knows how to get dry erase marker out of clothes effectively.

Nowadays, in most American classrooms, school designers no longer use chalkboards in their new school designs ⁽¹⁾. Using whiteboards and markers is preferred since the chalks can produce dust that triggers kids’ allergies.

Because of this, kids frequently come home with marker stains on their clothes. Dry erase marker stains are not as stubborn as ink stains, but they can be tricky if you don’t know the right products to use. So let’s learn about them right now!

Why Are Dry Erase Marker Stains Hard To Remove?

You might think it is simple to deal with dry erase marker stains, but you would be wrong. Even though it is true that dry erase markers are designed to be wiped away easily with a damp cloth, that only works on non-porous writing surfaces, like whiteboards or overhead projectors ⁽²⁾.

Pigments and releasing agents are included in the markers’ ink. When these little color particles come into contact with the fibers of your clothes, they will get trapped and stain the fabric.

With that being said, dry erase marker stains are not permanent. With the proper technique, you will be able to get rid of them in no time.

3 Best Ways To Get Dry Erase Marker Out Of Clothes

Dry erase marker stains can be quite challenging to deal with. But don’t worry, I shall give you 3 step-by-step tutorials on how to treat this type of stain in this part. Let’s dive right in!

1. Rubbing Alcohol And Vinegar

Alcohol works great with marker stains or ink stains. It can break down the components of the stains, making it easier to wash them out afterward.

Step 1: Lay It Out

Lay your clothes on a flat surface. Then grab a towel or a thick cloth and place it under the stain to avoid spreading.

Step 2: Blot It With Rubbing Alcohol

Pour rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball or a sponge and gently blot the stain. Do not rub it because that will smear the marker.

Step 3: Soak It With Vinegar

Fill your sink with warm water. Pour in the sink 1 cup of white distilled vinegar and mix it up. Then put your clothes in the sink, make sure they are completely soaked. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Wash It

Wash your clothes the usual way with your favorite detergent. Once done, recheck the stained area. Repeat the steps and wash it one more time if needed.

2. Murphy’s Oil Soap

Murphy’s oil soap is typically used to restore the natural gloss of wood furniture and surfaces. However, it can also be used for stain removal, and it performs exceptionally well on dry erase marker stains.

Step 1: Lay It Out

Just like before, lay your clothes flat out on a table. Place an absorbent towel or a thick cloth right underneath the stained area.

Step 2: Rub It With Murphy’s Oil

Get an old toothbrush and wet it with warm water. Pour a bit of Murphy’s oil on the stain and rub it with the toothbrush. Keep scrubbing until the stain begins to fade. Add more oil if needed.

Step 3: Rinse It

Douse a sponge or clean cloth with water and some dish soap, then blot the stain to remove the oil. Afterward, give the clothes a rinse under running water, scrubbing the stained area as you do.

Step 4: Wash It

Put your clothes in the washer along with any detergent and give it a spin. If the stain remains after washing, repeat the steps until it is completely gone.

3. Hairspray And Stain Remover

It might sound strange, but hairspray is quite effective in removing marker stains. You should use hairspray products that mention alcohol among their label ingredients. This works best on polyester or polyester blends.

Step 1: Lay It Out

Again, lay your clothes flat out. Then grab a towel and lay it under the stain on your clothes.

Step 2: Spray It With Hairspray

Spray the hairspray directly on the stain, then gently rub it with an old toothbrush. Repeat this a couple of times to get as much marker ink out as possible. Afterward, rinse your clothes under running water to remove the hairspray and marker residue.

Step 3: Spray It With Stain Remover

After rinsing, spray some stain remover or pretreatment product on the stained area and let it sit for about 15 minutes.

Step 4: Wash It

Place the garment in the washing machine and run a cycle. You can use any detergent you like. Rewash your clothes if the stain is still there after washing.

Here’s a lively demonstration on how to remove dry erase marker stains with hairspray!

9 Other Products That Can Treat Dry Erase Marker Stains

Besides the 3 methods I have shown in the last section, there are other products that work well on dry erase marker stains. So if rubbing alcohol, hairspray, and Murphy’s oil are not available to you, give these following products a try instead.

1. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a natural yet efficient product to treat dry erase marker stains. The citric acid in lemon juice can fade the stain away, making the washing process more successful.

Apply the lemon juice on the stain and blot it with a cotton ball or clean cloth. Leave it there for 15 minutes before washing. This works best for new and light stains.

2. Vinegar

Vinegar is another excellent alternative. Remember to only use white distilled vinegar, the other types might contain tannins that stain your clothes.

Soak a cotton ball with vinegar and wipe the stain in an inward motion. Once the stain fades, put it in the washing machine.

3. Baking Soda

Baking soda is already well-known for its ability to eliminate odors and stains. Mix some baking soda with white vinegar until it forms a paste, then apply the paste on marker stain and leave it for at least an hour. Then rinse off the paste and wash it.

4. Toothpaste

Remember to choose colorless toothpaste since the dye in some toothpaste might affect your clothes. Spread a bit of toothpaste on the stained area and let it sit for an hour. After that, rinse it and wash it.

5. Hand Sanitizers

Just like hairspray, alcohol-based cleaning agents like hand sanitizers can remove dry erase marker stains out of clothes. Remember to use hand sanitizer with high alcohol content for the best result.

Apply the hand sanitizer on the stain and blot it with a clean sponge. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly under running water and wash it the usual way.

6. Laundry Detergent

Detergent is an obvious solution. You can use the one you already have at home, but liquid laundry detergent with high stain removing ability is the best option.

Pour a bit of detergent on the front and back of the stain. Rub it with your fingers or a toothbrush. Keep scrubbing until the stain is gone. Then wash again in the washing machine.

7. Dry Cleaner Solvent

Dry cleaning fluid is excellent at getting out ink stains like this. It is not a very accessible product. But if you happen to have it in your house, this will be one of the most effective products to use.

Pour some dry cleaning fluid on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then rinse it well under running water. Afterward, wash it like normal.

8. Bleach

If all else fails, bleach can save the day! However, remember that not all clothes can be treated with bleach. Always check the cleaning instructions on your clothes’ labels before using any harsh chemicals.

I recommend you choose oxygen bleach instead of chlorine bleach since it is safer to use. Follow the package direction and mix oxygen bleach with some water. Blot the solution on the stain and wait for 30 minutes. Then blot away the excess using a clean cloth.

9. Stain Remover

Stain remover is the first thing people think of when they want to remove any stains from clothes. Both powder stain remover and stain remover spray are effective, so just choose the one available to you.

For powder stain remover, mix the powder with some water and apply it to the stain. And for stain remover spray, simply spray it on the stain and wait for a few minutes. This will work as a pretreatment for the marker stain.

Let’s see how to remove marker stains using powder stain remover and rubbing alcohol!

FAQs

Still have some concerns? Have a look at these FAQs to see if you can find the answers you need.

No More Dry Erase Marker Stains!

Overall, using whiteboards and markers is proven to be better for the students. But because of this, it is tough to prevent dry erase marker stains in clothes.

Luckily, there are many methods and products that you can apply to remove those stains from your clothes. Depending on what is accessible to you, pick the one you like the most and try it out for yourself.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Remember to give this post a like and share. Also, leave a comment down if you know any other methods I haven’t covered in this article. I wish you all the best and take care!