How to Clean Permanent Marker off White Cabinets

Updated on February 05, 2009
G.C. asks from San Carlos, CA
29 answers

Help. My 2 year old son took a bright pink permanent marker and marked all my white kitchen cabinets. I've got most of it off with alcohal and magic eraser but you can still see traces of pink. Does anyone have any good cleaning suggestions to remove the residue without having to repaint it?

3 moms found this helpful

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P.P.

answers from San Francisco on

Oh no! My son did the same recently to my oak colored drawers... Well I used a white eraser I grabbed from my kids' school pencil box. I'd give it a try. But like you, I still have some trace of black sharpie, so I'll be reading too!

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R.W.

answers from Redding on

My son got sharpie marker all over my kitchen floor and I was able to get it off by rubbing it with toothpaste. It has to be white toothpaste, not a gel. It's a little less toxic than some of the other ways to remove marker.

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A.T.

answers from Stockton on

Try dipping a Q-tip in bleach and tracing over the marks gently - follow the wood grain as much as you can then wipe with a wet cloth and buff dry to get the bleach residue off.
Or Goof-Off may work - but it's really stinky.

More Answers

E.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Try WD-40 or break cleaner..They get permanent marker off of almost anything.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Try the Mr Clean magic eraser sponge. I use that when nothing works and it does the job great. I really should make it easier on myself and just use it the first time
B.

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J.H.

answers from Sacramento on

have you tried spraying hairspray on it and then wiping it off or possibly tooth paste (I would use the plain white varity)

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D.B.

answers from San Francisco on

try softscrub or, believe it or not, sunscreen!

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M.M.

answers from San Francisco on

try rubbing alcohol!! It usually works. Try a small "not easily seen area" first to test to see if it will tarnish, etc. Fingernail polish should also work -- but it's more harsh rubbing alcohol.

Good Luck

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L.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Try a product called Goof Off, sold where you buy paint.

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G.B.

answers from Boise on

You can try Borax. It has enough grit to it, that it might work. But it might also scratch, so check it on a small corner.

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M.S.

answers from Bakersfield on

Magic Eraser by Arm and Hammer. Definetly works I had white cabinets and my daughter did the same thing. It may take a little paint off as you take off the marker but not enough to tell, you just use water and it comes right off with the Eraser it will turn into pieces as you use it though! Good luck! It was the only thing I found that works!

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T.T.

answers from San Francisco on

Magic Eraser by Arm and Hammer. It works wonders!

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S.C.

answers from Fresno on

I worked in a preschool for a long time and crayons ,perment marker and other things would always seem to get where you didnt want them. This sounds weird but it really works. Wd 40 is what we use to remove lots of stuff use that then wipe it with your regular cleaner. I used it the other day to get crayon and marker off my daughters wall. it also works fast.

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

G.,

Hand sanitizer usually will get anything out- try it.

Good luck!

Molly

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J.R.

answers from Stockton on

I got permanent black marker out of my brand new carpet with hairspray. So, i'd try that.

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S.J.

answers from Chico on

just more rubbing alchohol and elbow grease....

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S.B.

answers from Stockton on

Something I have used in teaching is the white board spray cleaner. I don't know if it will work for you but it has worked on almost everything I have tried it on and it comes off easily.

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L.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Hairspray and then a little baking powder for the residue.

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C.M.

answers from Chico on

Have you tried Goo Gone? I was going to suggest the Magic Eraser, so I am not sure what would help now.

My daughter got red ink on our wood floor and I haven't been able to get the last traces of pink out, so if something works, let me know.

Good luck!

--C.

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K.B.

answers from Sacramento on

clorox bleach pen or a little bleach water?

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S.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Aquanet aerosol hair spray, extra-hold, in the white can.

When you do finally get it off, repost a bulletin and let us know what worked!!!

Thanks!

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K.G.

answers from San Francisco on

I was able to get sharpie markers off of our kitchen chairs and baseboards using the Magic Eraser. You can also try WD40 or hairspray.

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J.H.

answers from San Francisco on

I didn't read all the responses but would suggest using Soft Scrub. I'm a housecleaner and use it on those hard to get off stains (just don't push too hard when scrubbing because you can take off the paint if you're too rough). Just try it on a little spot and see if that works. I do NOT use those green scrubbing pads because the green just comes off on whatever you're scrubbing. I would use either just a sponge or the pink ones with a white scrubber on one side is fine too.
Good luck!!

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T.H.

answers from San Francisco on

How about nail polish remover?

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J.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Since you already tried all the alcohol based products, try clorox clean up or straight bleach. When my son "decorated" my kitchen, there were spots that I actually had to use bleach mixed with alcohol. Make sure you are very well ventilated but it worked!

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Y.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Try the Magic Eraser sponge. I just got a bunch of very old, caked on adhesive on of a fire place mantle. Just rub very gently as these sponges are very strong.

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S.W.

answers from San Francisco on

SOL-U-MEL works great for things like that. EPA certified and non-toxic!

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S.E.

answers from San Francisco on

rubbing alcohol should work. It worked on my white board. Any alcohol based product should work.
s

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L.B.

answers from Sacramento on

I work for the mom team. and we have a solution call sol-u mel that would take that out in a heart beat. go to my site http://www.themomteam.com/bandb we have all kinds of other products it a going green company,wellness and prevention company. Hope that helps. my daughter did the same thing.

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