Pen Marks on the Couch

Updated on May 16, 2007
N.D. asks from Glenview, IL
15 answers

My toddler recently discovered the love of pens. As u can guess, yesterday she snuck off with a pen and went to town with it all over my couch. I tried using soap and water but no luck. Any tips? Thanks!

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C.U.

answers from Chicago on

Hairspray - spray it let it dry then rub it with a cold rag - I did this - it took about 4 times, but finally came off!!!

1 mom found this helpful

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L.

answers from Chicago on

Hi N D,

Try using a little hydrogen peroxide and wipe the area with a clean sponge. I've never used it on ink but it is amazing at clean red wine, red and grape juice, and chocolate on carpet. Do a small test area to make sure it won't affect your couch's material. I got this idea from my mother-in-law's best friend who is a home economics teacher. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

My princess has done this multiple times on our BRAND NEW microfiber couch. I have found that the Tide to Go pen works beautifully!!! Try that and good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Chicago on

get the Tide to Go pen...its great

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F.J.

answers from Chicago on

Hair Spray works wonders on ink!! I got ink out of my white shirt when my son wrote on me by spraying hair spray letting it sit and then rubbing with a wet cloth. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

Try using alcohol or hairspray on the spot. Let it soak in the use soap to remove it. It works on clothes. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

My Daughter used Sharpie on the couch, wood floor, wall and end table. I thought for sure it was going to be there for life. Then I found this wonderous invention... Mr. Clean Magic eraser. With very little effort and some water, the sharpie came off everything, with no evidence of it's use.

I would think that it should take of pen.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from Chicago on

Whatever you use, test on a part of the couch you cannot see first. Nail polish remover, especially, could fade out some of the color on your couch. I've heard great things about hair spray and Tide To Go, too. One thing I've found takes almost all stains is something I'm sure you have around the house - baby wipes!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

I always heard the hair spray trick too - soak it with hairspray and and then clean that with some kind of sofa cleaner

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Chicago on

my son just used a permanent marker on our microfiber chair. My husband used nail polish remover - non acetone. No damage to the chair and the marker is gone. He found that tip on the internet

1 mom found this helpful
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T.F.

answers from Chicago on

Depending on the fabric, you can try spraying it with hairspray (sometimes, the cheaper the brand the better) and then blotting it with a damp cloth. Do not do this if the couch is leather.

Good luck!
T.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.A.

answers from Chicago on

My son drew on the couch with both a pen and a black sharpie one day while I was switching laundry, anywaays those Mr clean magic erasers worked wonders... they really are magic!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

try hand sanitizer.... it works for everything!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.

answers from Chicago on

You may be able to contact the manufacturer and ask them even if this meens running to a store to get the packaging for a website or phone #. We had to do this for permanent marker. Good luck.

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L.

answers from Chicago on

A friend's child did this to my NEW cream love seat (but the friendship survived!!). I would suggest a professional because anything you do to it my make it harder for the professional to get out...it may "set" the stain. A lot depends on the type of fabric your sofa is, as well. I can HIGHLY recommend Gary Giovannelli, owner of Bella Custom Drapery & Carpet Cleaners ###-###-####. I've used him many times and he is very good and reasonably priced. Best wishes for a clean sofa!

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