As a dad, one of the most amazing things I get to see and enjoy every day is watching my daughter using her coloring books, spending time experimenting with colors and shades.
Now, out of passion for coloring, especially when she was younger, I decided to let her draw on large pieces of paper with a permanent marker a.k.a Sharpie. There are multiple types of Sharpie, but the one I gave her was definitely permanent, which I actually found later (ouch!)…
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The fun went south when, after 5 minutes of letting her drawing by herself, I found her in a room with Sharpie drawings on THE FRIGGIN’ WALLS! Words can’t describe how numb I felt for the first 10 seconds while my daughter was happily pointing to the walls, proud of her “creation”.
Once I recovered from the shock, I started doing my research on how to remove Sharpie from walls and, maaan, I was so lucky! Today, I am excited to share with you how to remove nasty Sharpie marks from 6 (yes, SIX) different types of materials and surfaces.
1. Walls
Use toothpaste or hairspray to apply a thin layer on the permanent marker trace. Let it sit for 10-15 seconds and then gently clean with a wet cloth.
2. Clothes
Apply hand sanitizer on your palms and gently rub the affected portion of your clothes. Use a napkin to remove the excess along with the traces of marker.
3. Wood
You will need rubbing alcohol – it can be found at Costco, or Amazon, with the name of isopropyl alcohol. Apply on a piece of cloth and rub until you remove the marker. Repeat if necessary.
4. Carpet
Use any cheap white vinegar brand. Pour a bit on the stain or trace and them use a dry cloth to rub and remove the marker.
5. Furniture
This one is a shocker but I swear it works wonders! Apply milk (yes, milk!) on a small piece of cloth and rub the affected area until the marker goes away. Whole milk is great because of the fat contents that displace the permanent marker.
6. Ceramic of Glass
You would need a simple mix of one part toothpaste and one part baking soda to get this done. Toothpaste will help the baking soda become like a smooth sandpaper that will gently clean your ceramics without leaving any marks whatsoever.
So there you have it, folks! Simple, cheap fixes that improve your life and make you happier every single day!