How to Get Permanent Marker off a Whiteboard?

You are not blamed for using a permanent marker instead of a whiteboard marker since they look almost the same. Hence, there is always a potential risk of this error occurring and the urge to know how to get permanent marker off a whiteboard.

Well, first of all, you need to come out of the concept that once your whiteboard gets in touch with the permanent ink it gets ruined. Now this problem has several effective solutions.

Nonetheless, you may have to work some extra to get rid of this problem. However, using rubbing alcohol, dry-erase markers, glass cleaners, sanitizer, and other many tools, you can remove permanent markers from the whiteboard.

Let’s get to know in detail.

What Are the Best Permanent Marker Removers?

Different substances can be used for removing the ink of a permanent marker from any surface. Like,

• Regular vegetable oil is a great remover of ink if it touches the laminate surface or countertop of your kitchen.
• You can also use hairspray for this purpose since it contains alcohol in it. You can also use it on your clothes to remove the mark of permanent marker.
• Lemon and baking soda are also useful removers. However, you need to use the products individually.
• Vinegar is also a great material for removing permanent marker ink. This substance also clears off permanent markers from leather.
• Again, a whiteboard eraser can also clear it off.
• Also, nail polish removers, hand sanitizers, and other substances containing alcohol in them are considered the best permanent marker removers.

How to Get Permanent Marker off a Whiteboard?

We have already mentioned that several substances are available that can remove permanent markers. But knowing the name of the materials is not enough. You also need to know the procedure as well. Let’s discuss the process step-by-step.

Materials Required

• Dry erase marker
• Board eraser
• Rag
• Brush

Step – 1: Take a Dry Erase Marker

When you accidentally write on your whiteboard with a permanent marker and realize it before getting too far, a dry-erase marker can save you.

Write over the letters on your whiteboard with the dry-erase marker. Here you can take any color of the dry-erase marker. But however, make sure that the marker is not dried out. In fact, it should have enough ink.

Step – 2: Wipe Off the Letters

When you are done overwriting the letters with a dry-erase marker, you need to wipe them off. You need to come to this next step very quickly before the marker dries out.

Wipe off the letters or permanent marker ink using a soft rag or you can also use a board eraser. However, make sure that the eraser or rag is clean.

After wiping, you will notice that the ink of both markers will come off but not entirely. It is simply because the solvent components of the dry-erase marker dissolve the ink of the permanent marker. As a result, the ink of both markers comes off.

Wiping with a board eraser or rag should work. If it does not work then you may need to scrub the board using a brush. Also, start brushing when the dry-erase marker ink sets a bit.

Step – 3: Repeat the Process

As we mentioned, the first attempt will not make the permanent ink come off entirely. Hence, for the entire cleaning, you need to repeat the process.

That means you have to use the dry-erase marker again and again over the permanent ink until the mark totally comes off.

Step – 4: Clean the Entire Board

Once the permanent marker comes off properly, wipe off the entire whiteboard with a clean, soft, and dry rag. After that, your whiteboard is prepared to write again. But this time, be careful with the marker you are choosing.

So, this is only one process of getting a permanent marker off a whiteboard. There are other many methods and materials that can do this job as well.

How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard with Whiteboard Cleaner?

Generally, whiteboard cleaners are meant to be liquid in form. The solvent contains alcohol and other several components in them. Also, these are ready-to-use cleaning sprays.

Moreover, some liquid whiteboard cleaners also contain detergent in them. Thus, to start with the process, take a soft rag and dampen it with the cleaning solution. Then rub the cloth over the board until it removes all kinds of stains including permanent marker ink.

Again, the best whiteboard cleaners come with a fast-drying formula. So, after rubbing the board dries in no time. However, regular cleaning let the board serve for years. Also, whiteboard cleaners disinfect the board surface.

How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard with Dry Erasers?

Surprisingly, dry erasers are also capable of cleaning the stain of the permanent marker from the whiteboard. You can do it with a simple pencil eraser as well.

However, this tool is workable when the mark is light and small. Just rub the rubber or dry eraser over the stain until it gets off. However, in this process, the eraser itself can become stained. So, use anormal eraser so that the process seems cost-effective.

Still, you have to be careful with the process as dry erasers have the potential to damage the board as well.

How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard with Glass Cleaner?

Glass cleaners are not only best for cleaning glasses but also clean off the permanent marker from the whiteboard.

The cleaning solution contains alcohol in it. Thus, the solution can deal with many stubborn stains and marks.

So, first, get any commercial glass cleaner available in your nearby store or online. They come in a spray bottle. Therefore, the application method is very easy.

Just spray the glass cleaner over the stain of permanent marker on your whiteboard and then let the spray sit on the stain for a moment.

Meanwhile, the cleaning agents of the glass cleaner will react with the ink of the permanent marker. Then rub the surface with a clean microfiber cloth. Keep rubbing gently and in a circular motion.

However, you can also use a paper towel instead of a microfiber cloth. Only one attempt should work since the cleaning solvent of glass cleaner is highly concentrated and reactive as well.

How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard with Rubbing Alcohol?

We have mentioned earlier that rubbing alcohol can get rid of the permanent marker from a whiteboard. If using dry erasers does not work, then try applying rubbing alcohol. The process is also almost the same.

However, you can also use hand sanitizer instead of rubbing alcohol. Hand sanitizer also contains alcohol in it. So, the process is given below.

Step – 1: Take a Cloth and Rubbing Alcohol

Pour some rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer into a cloth. Make sure the cloth is soft and clean. Make the cloth damp with the substance. Do not soak the cloth with alcohol. Otherwise, it will drip everywhere.

Step – 2: Keep Rubbing Gently

After damping the cloth, rub it over the stain of the permanent marker on your whiteboard. Do not rub forcefully since gentle rubbing would do the work. After some time, you will see the ink coming off gradually.

Step – 3: Dry the Board

After rubbing the board with a damp cloth, dry it using a dry soft cloth. Drying the area is necessary before going to the next step.

Step – 4: Repeat the Process

After drying the board, repeat the entire process. You may have to continue the process until the entire stain comes off. However, 2 to 3 attempts should be enough to make this job done perfectly.

How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard with Vinegar?

Vinegar is also workable for this purpose only if the stain of the permanent marker is very light. White distilled vinegar is in everyone’s kitchen. So, it has multiple uses.

However, to get started with the process, take the vinegar and wet a corner of a soft rag. Then keep wiping gently over the permanent stain. Adding a little amount of elbow grease will induce the removal process.

How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard with Magic Eraser?

Magic erasers are new inventions for removing permanent markers from a whiteboard. They can be your go-to solution since they are actually effective and do the job very quickly.

Moreover, applying the method is also easy. First, wet the magic eraser and squeeze it out so that it does not drip water. After removing the extra water, swipe the ink away from the board.

A few steady swipes are enough to make the whiteboard white like before. Magic erasers are made of micro-scrubbers. These elements help to clean off the ink on the board. So, magic erasers are a sturdy tool for this purpose.

Nonetheless, try not to apply too much pressure. Also, rub with the non-abrasive part of the magic eraser. This way it will not damage the board surface.

How to Remove Permanent Marker from a Whiteboard with Acetone Nail Polish Remover?

Yes, nail polish remover can also remove permanent marker stains from a whiteboard. It is simply because most nail polishes come with the acetone compound. This component is very reactive to the ink of permanent marker.

However, the process is a bit tricky because nail polish containers are very small. Also, the compound inside is not supposed to come out just like that.

Thus, first, take an acetone nail polish and a clean microfiber cloth. Then take some part of the cloth corner and wet it with the acetone nail polish formula.

Then rub over the ink in a circular motion. Gradually, the ink will come off. When it comes off completely wipe the entire board with another clean and damp cloth. Make sure there is no acetone left on the whiteboard. When you are done let the board dry.

Tips to Keep Your Whiteboard Clean

Well, any unwanted stain can ruin your whiteboard. Hence, if you own one, you must know some tips while using it.

• Try to clean your whiteboard with whiteboard cleaner on a regular basis. You can also use an all-purpose cleaner twice a month to clean the entire surface of the whiteboard.
• If your whiteboard gets some stubborn marks then you can try using baby oil as well. We all know that baby oil is good for any skin but it also has the power of lifting permanent stains from the whiteboard.
• Always clean the board after even writing with a dry-erase marker. If you let this marker ink be on your board for days then it will create a stubborn stain on the board.
• However, you can also apply other many ways of cleaning materials that contain alcohol or acetone. Also, make sure the cleaning solutions are mildly reactive. People also use muscle ache cream.
• Never choose an abrasive cleaner for cleaning your whiteboard. Abrasive cleaners contain chemical components that react highly and ruin the board’s’s surface. Also, the cleaners can destroy the smooth finish of the whiteboard. In such cases, even the dry-wipe pens will also leave a stain. So, be careful while choosing a cleaning solution.
• Also, never use a rough rag or cloth to clean the whiteboard. The rough texture of the cloth can also ruin the surface of the whiteboard.
• While cleaning, does not rub the board putting much pressure. Always make sure to rub gently. Otherwise, the smooth texture of the board will be gone.
• Lastly, always keep the cleaning solutions and products away from children after use.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to remove permanent marker from a whiteboard, you can apply any of the methods. Whatever method you are adopting, make sure that you are doing the process right.

Also, know that prevention is better than cure. So, keep the permanent marker away from regular markers or other pens.