Paint markers are among the best products that people can use to paint without the need for a brush, which is a skill that many don’t have. However, just like everyone else, including the experts, you will be making plenty of mistakes when using paint markers and that is okay.
It is fortunate, though, that removing paint marker stains is relatively easy, especially when you know what tools and materials to use. This article will teach you the ways how to remove paint markers.
Contents
Step-by-Step Guide on Removing Paint Markers
There is no one-size-fits-all method on how to remove paint marker stains. You have to take the surface to be cleaned into consideration as well.
Removing Paint Marker from Plastics
What to prepare:
- Paper towels
- Rubber gloves
- Liquid hand sanitizer
- Kitchen sponge and some water (optional)
Detailed steps:
Step 1 – Apply the hand sanitizer
Wear rubber gloves to keep the paint from staining your hands. Proceed to smear a bit of hand sanitizer on the stained area and rub it using your finger to loosen the paint.
Step 2 – Wipe the hand sanitizer off
Using a paper towel, wipe away the hand sanitizer. This means that you should not wait too long until the hand sanitizer has started to dry.
Step 3 – Rinse using a bit of water
If necessary, wet a kitchen sponge under the tap. You should then use it to wipe away any hand sanitizer residue.
How to Remove Paint Marker from Walls
What to prepare:
- One lemon cut into halves
- Lemon essential oil (optional)
- Baking soda (optional)
- Paper towels
Detailed steps:
Step 1 – Clean the stained surface with some water
Make the work of the lemon juice a bit easier by removing as much of the paint as you can using a bit of water and some paper towels.
Step 2 – Gently rub the cut part of the lemon on the stain
The lemon juice has a high enough acidity that it can loosen the paint and coax it off the wall. In addition, the flesh of the lemon will be picking up the paint particles so they will not transfer anywhere else.
Step 3 – Wipe away excess lemon juice
Although lemon juice does quick work with paint marker stains, it might also discolor the paint on your walls. You need to neutralize it immediately by wiping the surface down with some water with a bit of baking soda.
How to Remove Paint Marker Stains from Laminate Surfaces
What to prepare:
- An old toothbrush
- White toothpaste/baking soda slurry
- Paper towels
- Denatured alcohol (if needed)
Detailed steps:
Step 1 – Clean the surface thoroughly
If you are cleaning a laminate countertop, clean the countertop as thoroughly as you can. You can use a bit of soapy water to remove as much of the stain out.
Step 2 – Make a baking soda slurry
You can make a baking soda slurry by mixing one part baking soda and water. The baking soda will gently scrub the paint away without damaging the surface too much. The slurry should have the same consistency as a rather loose and grainy toothpaste.
Step 3 – Apply the baking soda slurry using a toothbrush
Scoop a bit of the baking soda slurry onto an old toothbrush and then scrub the stain gently. Do not put too much pressure on the brush to prevent the surface from getting scuffed too much.
Use small circular motions to lift away the stains. After a couple of minutes, you should wipe away the slurry to check if you have already removed the stain.
Step 4 – Wipe away the slurry
If you are satisfied that you have removed enough of the stain, take a paper towel and wipe away the baking soda slurry. If you are unsatisfied with the results, you can scrub it again using a fresh dollop of baking soda slurry.
You do not need to worry about the baking soda scuffing the surface. Instead, the slurry would polish the surface.
Helpful Tips and Advice
- Check if the paint marker used to create the stain uses oil-based or water-based paint. If the paint is water-based, you can usually remove the stain easily using just soapy water.
- You can still easily erase paint marker stains if it has not gotten enough time to dry thoroughly and cure. Essentially, unless the paint marker has dried for less than a week, you can still erase it completely from any surface.
Conclusion
Even though paint markers contain brightly-colored ink, it is actually quite easy to remove. Especially if you are dealing with a water-based paint marker, you can essentially rinse it away using just water.