Sharpie Slip-Up? Here’s How to Wipe Away Permanent Ink

I was writing on a dry erase board at the office the other day, filling in my schedule for the next week, when I noticed a co-worker looking over my shoulder.

“Diane,” she said. “That’s not a dry-erase marker—that’s a Sharpie!”

I groaned. My co-worker was right. Instead of the usual wipe-away marker, I had grabbed a bright green pen with permanent ink.

“No problem,” I said. And I asked her to hand me the dry-erase marker, which I used to draw over my “permanent” lettering. I made sure every mark was covered, then I picked up the dry erase eraser. After a few quick swipes, the marks were gone—all of them!

Impressed, my co-worker asked if that trick worked to remove permanent ink from any surface. It won’t, but here’s how to tackle other Sharpie slip-ups:

Clothing. Dab hand sanitizer on the spot and rub it away.

Walls. Remove the mark with hairspray or toothpaste.

Wood. Saturate a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and have at it.

Carpet. Pour a little white vinegar on the spot and dab it with a clean cloth.

Furniture. Swab the spot with milk on a clean, white cloth.

So next time your writing goes wayward, don’t panic. Just find the right solution to your not-so-permanent mark!