Pen Marks on Wood Table

Updated on April 10, 2010
E.L. asks from Smithville, MO
27 answers

Any good methods of getting pen marks removed from a wood table? My daughter got a hold of a pen today and wrote all over the table. I know I probably won't be able to get the scratch marks out, but was hoping to get the ink color out. I tried a little bit of nail polish remover, but it was starting to take the finish off as well.
Thanks.

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J.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Shaving cream works great to get marks off of tables. I use it in my preschool classroom to get pen, permanent marker, crayon, and pencil marks of of the tables and the kids love to play in it! It is great for sensory play and the kids don't mind cleanning the tables. I let them help sponge them off when we are done.

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S.H.

answers from Wichita on

A magic eraser will take the marks out of the table and any other mark around the house you can think of.

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L.J.

answers from Kansas City on

I have found the magic eraser works well, on most everything including wood, it has been great for me it even removes permanent marker. you can buy the cheap ones too, they work just as well. hope this helps

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L.S.

answers from St. Louis on

My son got a permanent marker once and COVERED the formal dining room table with it!!!! It was a nightmare. I don't remember what brand it was but I went to Walmart and got 5 or so different kinds of wood cleaner. All of them worked great, so I would say run up to Walmart and grab a couple of different cleaners. They make a whole slew of them!! Good luck.

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T.A.

answers from Tulsa on

Hi Erica!

I usually find that the Mr. Clean dry eraser works very well for that. Just don't leave out for the kids to play with. My son used to do that all the time.

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M.C.

answers from Wichita on

Try using hairspray. Aerosal works the best. I've used it be for to get permanent marker off of furniture and it's worked great.

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L.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I'd try the Mr Clean sponge for me it's taken out ink, crayon & some marker. But not all markers. I think you'd have good luck with it & it doesn't harm the finish.

Hope it helps.

L.

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J.P.

answers from Tulsa on

I use something called "Ink Out" which I think may be from the same cleaning supply family as "Unbelievable", which I also love. There's also ones that get paint, graffiti, sticky, and other things out. You can probably look it up online or find it at some local stores. I get it from my father's cleaning supply business in Tulsa--Ivie Enterprises, Inc. Don't know how easy it is to find, but I love the products.

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G.C.

answers from Lawton on

Not sure if it will work on wood but works great on others things....try some hairspray. Nail polish remover dissolves nail polish so it would dissolve the finish. Try a little vegetable oil on that area to make it shine again. Leave it set overnight for best results.

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C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

For a all natural approach, try olive oil and baking soda. Make a paste a gentle rub.

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J.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

Get regular toothpaste and rub into the stains then get a moist soapy cloth and rub the stains and toothepaste with the grain do this and the stains will come right out. I tried this with my son and i had to do this twice until the stains came out.

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R.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Have you tried the Magic ereaser? We use it for all my daughter's "art" projects. So far it has worked. Try it on a hidden surface first.

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L.W.

answers from Kansas City on

I've had luck in the past with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges.

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A.B.

answers from Norfolk on

I don't know if it would work on the wood, but I've found it wonderful on everything that I have tried it on. Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. It comes in a 2 pack and you just wet it and wipe. I have found that our apartment has flat paint and it will rub off if I press too hard. You might try it on the wood though. Good luck!

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N.M.

answers from Tulsa on

MAGIC ERASER is the best invention! I have used it on my wood tables to get pen and marker off. It works virtually on everything.

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A.S.

answers from Columbia on

Erica - My daughter got permanent marker on our table, I searched the internet and the suggestion was hand sanitizer. I'm guessing it would work for pen too. Just squirt it on, let it soak awhile, and scrub off with a cloth. I had to repeat it a few times, but it worked. Good luck!

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K.G.

answers from Springfield on

All I can say is MAGIC ERASER!!!!!!!!! you can find it at wal-mart with the dish detergent. If not, ask an associate. That little thing is amazing! You will be using it on everything. Trust me. Good luck, K.

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R.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi,

I'm not sure about on wood, but I know on clothing it works. I use hair spray and it desolves the ink most of the time when you put it in the washing machine. I would think it would be worth the try to see if it works on wood.

Good luck,
R.

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J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

try toothpaste put it on the pin mark & take finger to rub in it sould work

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I have had luck by going over the spot with dry erase marker and then wiping with a paper towel.

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J.S.

answers from Memphis on

Hairspray got Sharpie marker out of my dryer when my son "helped" me do the laundry. I've also heard that toothpaste gets crayon out, not sure about pen, though. Like the others, the Magic erasers are great (although I haven't had luck with pen). Good luck! Kids sure can drive you crazy, but sometimes you just have to laugh at them.

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E.T.

answers from Columbia on

Try using those Magic Erasers, I've used them to take off most any mark. Just a little water or soft cleaner and they work like a charm.

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L.L.

answers from St. Louis on

I would try Magic Eraser. I believe it's an Arm & Hammer product. I use it on our enamel table when we get carried away with our markers/paints. Good luck.

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J.E.

answers from St. Louis on

I have used the mr. clean magic eraser on our hardwood floors and it has gotten the pen out. It did leave and extra clean or bleached out spot on the floor for awhile, but after a few weeks you couldn't notice the lighter colored spot.

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G.N.

answers from St. Louis on

baking soda and cold water, rub with a paper towel and it should come out.

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V.Y.

answers from State College on

I tried toothpaste, regular soda based white toothpaste (not the gels). It worked like magic! Then I wiped it off with a moist cloth. Felt on top of the world.

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V.M.

answers from Tulsa on

Steel wool gets the pen out. After that you wash with murphy's oil soap and possibly polyerathane(?) it.

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