How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard

Co-authored by Eduardo Peralta and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: March 16, 2024 Fact Checked

Have you ever put something down on a dry erase board but realized too late you wrote it in permanent marker? Don't worry—it's a common mistake and it’s really easy to clean off. Keep reading for all the items you might have at home that can remove that stubborn permanent marker!

Things You Should Know

Wet the area with 70% isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe with a soft cloth until you lift the stain.
Spray glass cleaner on the whiteboard, wait a few seconds, and wipe with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.
Moisten a microfiber cloth with distilled white vinegar and gently wipe the whiteboard to remove permanent marker.

1

Dry erase marker

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Take a dark dry erase marker and scribble over the Sharpie on your whiteboard. Be sure to cover the entire mark with the dry erase marker. Before the marker has a chance to dry, wipe your whiteboard with an eraser or a soft microfiber towel to lift the mark.

2

Rubbing alcohol

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Rubbing alcohol dissolves permanent marker off of a dry erase board. Fill a spray bottle or wet the corner of a microfiber cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Wet the mark on your whiteboard and gently wipe it with a soft non-abrasive cloth until you lift the stain.^{[1]
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- You can also use pre-packaged alcohol wipes to get Sharpie off a whiteboard.

3

Hand sanitizer

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Apply a pump of hand sanitizer onto a clean microfiber cloth and work it into the marks on your dry erase board. Wipe the residue off with a clean section of the cloth so you don’t leave any smudges.^{[2]
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4

Glass cleaner

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Any commercial glass cleaner like Windex will get permanent marker off your whiteboard. Just spray the glass cleaner directly onto your whiteboard and let it sit for a few seconds. Then wipe the mark with a soft microfiber cloth or paper towel to completely clean the board.^{[3]
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5

Acetone nail polish remover

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Wet the corner of a clean microfiber cloth with your nail polish remover and gently rub the permanent marker in small circles. After you completely lift the mark, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and dry it off to get rid of any excess acetone.^{[4]
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6

Hairspray

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Hairspray dissolves the ink so it’s easier to wipe off. Spray a thin layer of hairspray over the entire permanent marker mark so and leave it to soak in for a few seconds. Take a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel to wipe the hairspray and Sharpie off of the dry erase board.^{[5]
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- If the whiteboard feels sticky from the hairspray, wipe it with a damp rag.

7

White toothpaste

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Toothpaste gently scrubs the marks off of the surface. Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the corner of a soft microfiber cloth and wet it. Gently work the toothpaste into the surface of the whiteboard over the permanent marker. Keep scrubbing until the mark lifts up completely. Then, rinse the area with a damp cloth to remove any residue.^{[6]
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- Lightly scrub at the marker residue, but don't press down hard since you could damage the coating on the whiteboard.^{[7]
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8

Vinegar

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You can use the white distilled vinegar you have in your kitchen to clean in a pinch. Wet the corner of a microfiber cloth with the vinegar and gently wipe the permanent marker. Just put in a little elbow grease to lighten the marks on your whiteboard.^{[8]
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9

Magic Eraser

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Wet the Magic Eraser so it’s easier to work with. Gently scrub the permanent marker with the non-abrasive side of the Magic Eraser so you don’t damage the whiteboard.^{[9]
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10

Muscle ache cream

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You can buy muscle ache cream from your local pharmacy. Take a pea-sized amount of the cream on a microfiber cloth and gently wipe it over the permanent marker.^{[10]
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11

Whiteboard cleaner

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You can buy the cleaner from an office supply store or online. Spray the cleaner directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few seconds before wiping it off with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.^{[11]
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Eduardo Peralta
House Cleaning Specialist

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Question

Are magic erasers abrasive?

Eduardo Peralta
House Cleaning Specialist
Eduardo Peralta is a House Cleaning Specialist based in San Jose, Califoria. He is the Manager of Best Maid House Cleaning, a cleaning company that services San Jose and the Silicon Valley area. With over six years of experience, Eduardo and the Best Maid House Cleaning team specialize in home deep-cleaning, post-construction cleaning, and green and eco-friendly cleaning services. They also offer move-in/move-out services and always make customer satisfaction their #1 priority. Best Maid House Cleaning is fully licensed and insured.

Eduardo Peralta

House Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Yes, they are! Be careful when using them on your white board, giving it only a light scrub with water or another cleaning solution.

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Tips

Baby oil could help you get Sharpie off of a whiteboard.

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Try using a pencil eraser to remove permanent marker from your dry erase board.

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Warnings

Avoid using abrasive cleaners, such as scouring powders or baking soda, since they could damage the whiteboard surface and make marks harder to remove later on.^{[12]
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