How to Get Sharpie Off Fabric Without Damaging the Fabric

You got Sharpie on fabric and want to remove it. Maybe a Sharpie leaked on your couch, your kid drew on the curtains, or you accidentally marked your favorite shirt. Sharpie is a permanent marker that contains solvents and pigments designed to be water-resistant and long-lasting. Here’s how to get Sharpie off fabric without damaging the fabric.

Sharpie (permanent marker) is a marker that contains alcohol-based solvents and pigments that bond with fabric fibers and produce a permanent mark. The key to removing Sharpie is dissolving the solvent base with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, then lifting the pigment with dish soap and OxiClean. For best results, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover, which is specifically designed for ink and marker stains.

To get Sharpie off fabric, place a cloth under the stain, apply rubbing alcohol or Amodex to the stain, blot from the outside in, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Don’t rub, don’t use hot water, and don’t put Sharpie-stained fabric in the dryer.

For Fresh Sharpie Marks

Step 1: Place a Cloth Under the Stain

Place a clean cloth or paper towel under the stain to catch the ink as it transfers. Don’t skip this step, which prevents the ink from spreading to the other side.

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to the stain with a cotton ball or cloth. The alcohol dissolves the Sharpie solvent base. Blot from the outside in. Don’t rub. Replace the cloth under the stain as it absorbs ink.

Step 3: Apply Amodex

Apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover to the stain. Amodex is specifically designed for ink and marker stains. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Dawn breaks down the remaining ink.

Step 5: Scrub with a Toothbrush

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

Step 6: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 7: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash.

Step 9: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse.

Step 10: Check Before Drying

Check that the Sharpie mark is gone before putting fabric in the dryer. If it remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put Sharpie-stained fabric in the dryer.

For Dried Sharpie Marks

Step 1: Place a Cloth Under the Stain

Place a clean cloth under the stain.

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Blot from the outside in. Replace the cloth as it absorbs ink.

Step 3: Apply Amodex

Apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Amodex is designed for dried ink and marker stains.

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Scrub with a Toothbrush

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

Step 6: Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 7: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Apply Shout Foam

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

Step 9: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add baking soda and OxiClean to the wash.

Step 10: Check Before Drying

Check that the mark is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put Sharpie-stained fabric in the dryer.

Alternative Methods

Use Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer contains alcohol, which dissolves Sharpie. Apply hand sanitizer to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, and wash.

Use Hairspray

Hairspray contains alcohol, which can dissolve Sharpie. Spray on the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, and wash. Use alcohol-based hairspray, not alcohol-free.

Use Nail Polish Remover (Acetone)

For stubborn Sharpie marks on sturdy fabrics, apply nail polish remover (acetone) to the stain. Let sit for 5 minutes. Blot with a clean cloth. Don’t use on acetate, modacrylic, or delicate fabrics, which acetone can dissolve.

Use Milk

For light Sharpie marks, soak the stain in milk for 30 minutes. The proteins in milk can help lift the ink. Wash afterward.

Use WD-40

For stubborn Sharpie marks, apply WD-40 to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Apply Dawn dish soap to remove the WD-40 and ink. Wash in warm water.

Additional Products

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Sharpie Removal by Fabric Type

Fabric Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
Cotton	Rubbing alcohol, Amodex, Dawn	Warm	Most common
Polyester	Rubbing alcohol, Amodex, Dawn	Warm	Gentler scrubbing
Upholstery	Rubbing alcohol, Amodex, blot	Cold	Blot, don’t scrub
Canvas	Rubbing alcohol, Amodex, Dawn	Warm	Sturdy, can handle scrubbing
Delicates	Amodex, gentle blotting	Cold	Don’t scrub, don’t use acetone
Acetate	Amodex, Dawn (no acetone)	Cold	Don’t use acetone or alcohol

What Not to Do

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

Don’t use hot water. Hot water can set the Sharpie. Use warm water.

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

Don’t use acetone on acetate or delicate fabrics. Acetone can dissolve acetate, modacrylic, and some synthetics. Test on a hidden area first.

Don’t skip the cloth under the stain. Without a cloth under the stain, the ink can spread to the other side of the fabric.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Stubborn Sharpie marks may need 2 to 4 treatments. Repeat the process.

FAQ

How do you get Sharpie off fabric? Place a cloth under the stain, apply rubbing alcohol or Amodex, blot from the outside in, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying.

What removes Sharpie from fabric? Rubbing alcohol, Amodex Ink and Stain Remover, Dawn dish soap, and OxiClean remove Sharpie from fabric. For best results, use Amodex, which is specifically designed for ink and marker stains.

Does rubbing alcohol remove Sharpie from fabric? Yes. Rubbing alcohol dissolves the solvent base of Sharpie, making it easier to remove. Apply to the stain, blot from the outside in, and wash.

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

Does Amodex remove Sharpie from fabric? Yes. Amodex Ink and Stain Remover is specifically designed for ink and marker stains, including Sharpie. Apply to the stain, let sit for 15 to 30 minutes, and wash.

References

1. Tide. “Ink Stain Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Sharpie from Fabric.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Marker Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Amodex. “Product Guide.” amodexink.com.