Does Sharpie Come Out of Clothes?

You got Sharpie on your clothes. Maybe a marker leaked, a child drew on a shirt, or you accidentally marked a pocket. Sharpie is called a permanent marker, but it can be removed from clothes with the right products. Here’s the answer to does Sharpie come out of clothes.

Sharpie is a permanent marker that uses oil-based ink designed to be water-resistant and long-lasting. The ink bonds with fabric fibers, making it difficult to remove. However, Sharpie can be removed from clothes with solvents that break down the oil-based ink. The best products are rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), Amodex Ink and Stain Remover, and Dawn dish soap.

Yes, Sharpie can come out of clothes, but it requires the right products and patience. To remove Sharpie from clothes, apply rubbing alcohol to the stain, blot with a clean cloth, apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover, let it sit for 10 minutes, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub with a toothbrush, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Don’t rub the stain, don’t use hot water, and don’t put Sharpie-stained clothes in the dryer.

Step-by-Step: Removing Sharpie from Clothes

Step 1: Place a Cloth Behind the Stain

Place a clean white cloth or paper towel behind the stain. This absorbs the ink as it transfers out of the fabric.

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to the stain with a cotton ball or cloth. Blot from the outside in. The alcohol dissolves the oil-based ink. Don’t rub, which spreads the ink. Change the cloth behind the stain as it absorbs ink.

Step 3: Continue Blotting

Continue applying rubbing alcohol and blotting until no more ink transfers to the cloth. This may take several applications.

Step 4: Apply Amodex

Apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover to the stain. Work it in with your fingers or a toothbrush. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Amodex is specifically designed to remove ink stains.

Step 5: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain. Work it in gently. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Dawn breaks down the oils in the ink.

Step 6: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 7: Rinse with Warm Water

Rinse with warm water to remove the alcohol, Amodex, and dish soap.

Step 8: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 9: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda.

Step 10: Check Before Drying

If the Sharpie stain remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put Sharpie-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the ink permanently.

Alternative Methods

Use Hand Sanitizer

Apply hand sanitizer (which contains alcohol) to the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth. The alcohol in hand sanitizer breaks down the ink.

Use Hairspray

Spray hairspray on the Sharpie stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth. The alcohol in hairspray breaks down the ink. Note: This works best on small stains and may not be as effective as rubbing alcohol.

Use Milk

Soak the stained area in milk for 30 minutes. The proteins in milk can help break down the ink. Wash after soaking.

Use White Vinegar

Apply white vinegar to the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes. The acid in vinegar can help break down the ink. Wash after treating.

Use Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

For Sharpie on Different Fabrics

Fabric	Best Treatment	What to Avoid
Cotton	Rubbing alcohol, Amodex, dish soap	Don’t rub, don’t use hot water
Polyester	Rubbing alcohol, Amodex	Test first, don’t use acetone
Denim	Rubbing alcohol, Amodex, dish soap	Don’t rub
Wool	Amodex, dry clean	Don’t use rubbing alcohol (can damage)
Silk	Amodex, dry clean	Don’t use rubbing alcohol or scrubbing
White cotton	Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide	Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored trim

What Not to Do

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the ink. Blot from the outside in.

Don’t use hot water. Hot water can set the ink. Use warm or cold water.

Don’t put Sharpie-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the ink permanently. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach doesn’t remove Sharpie and can damage colored clothes.

Don’t use acetone on natural fibers. Acetone can damage cotton, wool, and silk. Use on synthetic fabrics only.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Sharpie may need 2 to 3 treatments to fully remove. Repeat the process.

FAQ

Does Sharpie come out of clothes? Yes, Sharpie can come out of clothes with the right products. Use rubbing alcohol, Amodex Ink and Stain Remover, and Dawn dish soap. It may take 2 to 3 treatments.

What removes Sharpie from clothes? Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) is the best product for removing Sharpie from clothes. Amodex Ink and Stain Remover is also very effective. Apply, blot, and wash.

Does rubbing alcohol remove Sharpie from clothes? Yes. Rubbing alcohol dissolves the oil-based ink in Sharpie markers. Apply to the stain, blot with a clean cloth, and repeat until the ink is gone.

Can you put Sharpie-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets the ink permanently. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

Does hairspray remove Sharpie from clothes? Yes, hairspray can remove Sharpie from clothes because it contains alcohol. Spray on the stain, let sit for 10 minutes, and blot. It works best on small stains.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Ink from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Ink Stain Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Ink Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Amodex. “Ink Removal Guide.” amodex.com.