How to Take Out Permanent Marker from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got permanent marker on your clothes and want to remove it. Maybe a marker leaked in your pocket, your kid drew on their shirt, or you accidentally marked your favorite jacket. Permanent marker is designed to be long-lasting, but it can be removed with the right products. Here’s how to take out permanent marker from clothes without damaging the fabric.

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 permanent marker 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 take out permanent marker from clothes, 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 marker-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Fresh Permanent Marker Stains

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. This 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 marker 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 marker stain is gone before putting clothes in the dryer. If it remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put marker-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Dried Permanent Marker Stains

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 and Shout Foam

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes. Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 8: Wash in Warm Water

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

Step 9: Check Before Drying

Check that the stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put marker-stained clothes in the dryer.

Alternative Methods

Use Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer contains alcohol, which dissolves permanent marker. 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 permanent marker. Spray on the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, and wash. Use alcohol-based hairspray.

Use Nail Polish Remover (Acetone)

For stubborn marker stains 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.

Use WD-40

For stubborn marker stains, 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.

Use Milk

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

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.

Permanent Marker 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
Denim	Rubbing alcohol, Amodex, Dawn	Cold to warm	Wash inside out
Upholstery	Rubbing alcohol, Amodex, blot	Cold	Blot, don’t scrub
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 marker ink. Blot from the outside in.

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

Don’t put marker-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets the ink 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.

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

FAQ

How do you take out permanent marker from clothes? 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 permanent marker from clothes? Rubbing alcohol, Amodex Ink and Stain Remover, Dawn dish soap, and OxiClean remove permanent marker from clothes. For best results, use Amodex, which is specifically designed for ink and marker stains.

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

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

Does Amodex remove permanent marker from clothes? Yes. Amodex Ink and Stain Remover is specifically designed for ink and marker stains, including permanent marker. 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 Permanent Marker from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Marker Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Amodex. “Product Guide.” amodexink.com.