My 3yo artist wrote on the wall with permanent marker. It's quite large and she used black. I've tried magic eraser, toothpaste, 409 as well as plain soap and water. Anyone have something that worked for them? We have washable markers but she found a permanent marker, of course! Thanks in advance.
Thanks to everyone that offered their help! You are the best resource for real life problem solving!
Things I tried that didn't work: 409, WD40, Shout, Magic Eraser, going over the original with a dry erase marker, toothpaste, goo gone, pet b' gone, soap and water, and various other general all purpose cleaners.
As a last resort, I went to my husbands garage and found a product he uses to remove various "things" when he cleans his car. Goof Off® Professional Strength is the Miracle Remover. The Goof off removed the ink immediately with no scrubbing. Although my paint was unharmed, the glazing over the paint was removed. I will have the hall repainted as it is very obvious where the little "Rembrandt" worked her art. We have always used washable markers, crayons, etc. and when I discovered our latest "exhibit", I made a second pass in the art bins and made sure there is nothing permanent. The worst thing about this issue: I forgot to take a picture of my proud little artist and her masterpiece! Probably a good thing. A photo shoot may have encouraged my budding artist! HA! Thanks again Mama's!!!
I am afraid you are going to have to paint over it. You will need to first prime with a product like Kilz so the marker will not bleed through and then you can hopefully just paint the spot where the marker was. We always keep paint around for all the walls just for touch ups and oops moments ;) It is usually easier to touch up than to scrub anyway.
If it's glossy paint, rubbing alcohol might work. I've used it to get permanent marker off books & whiteboards. Good luck!
My son did this same thing when he was 3 and the best thing i found for it was nail polish remover!! It worked great for me just be careful not to use too much cause it can take the paint off the walls!!
D.
Stay at home mom of 2 kids.... 4 yr old son and 2 yr old daughter!!!
Isn't it time to redecorate anyway? Kilz, then paint. If you don't Kilz first it will bleed through- no matter how many coats of paint you apply. (Experience...)
Bath and Body Works Body Splash!! Any fragrance will do:) I worked there for almost 9yrs and anytime we had black perm. marker on something we would spritz it on it, let it run a little and then wipe it clean! It truely is awesome and things smell great!
Try rubbing alcohol or WD-40.
Good old fashioned hairspray! Not the fru fru newer stuff (save that for your hair;)...try hardcore Aquanet. My dd did the same thing when she was 3! But it was all over her beautiful, new, WHITE furniture! Good luck. Oh and don't rub too hard....
Hi J.,,
This might do the trick hydrogen peroxide,,,this is the stuff in the brown bottle i really thiink this will help you can also us to clean with i keep spay bottle full all the time i also use half water half peroxide in spray bottle to use when we wash our hands this stuff is great ,,,gets all kinds of things cleaned up if you want to know all it can do let me know Good Luck
clearlywinged
For that kind of stuff I alway used the Vinegar Windex. My daughter colored with permanent marker all over out white leather couch!!! The only thing is I used it right after she did it, so it didnt have time to sit in. I dont know how well it will work after sitting for a few days.. I hope this helps!
You will have to paint 1st w/ Kils primer and then the wall paint. If you just paint it will bleed through! My son did the same thing....and nothing else worked!
it was the thing to do to have our friends sign our wall as a preteen. ( with parents premission ) the only thing that truly covered it was primer then paint. you can try fingernail polish remover. but if those dont work or if it takes the paint off its all got to be painted anyway. good luck.
I used a Mr. Clean magic eraser to remove permanent marker from the walls at my in-laws house after some vandals had broken in. Just don't rub too hard, or the paint will come off, too. Good luck!
If it makes you feel any better... my son did the same thing. He found the Sharpie and wrote not only on my walls... but also on my cabinets, door, carpet, and bedspread. Oddly enough, I got mine off with Windex!! I had always heard that this would work on some wall types. It worked on mine. Though, not too good on flat paint I hear. It even got the marker out of the carpet and bedspread... who would have thought?? Good luck!
Hi J.!
I've had success with WD40 or a bit of gasoline on a rag then wiped off the wall. Test on an inconspicuous spot first.
L.
Hi J.,
Try Huggies wipes. I swear they clean up everything. Good luck! :)
A.
You might try rubbing alcohol on it. I use that to get ink out of fabric. Might work. Good luck! My 3 1/2 year old drew train tracks on brand new carpet with a black crayon yesterday, covering about a six feet span. Resolve Multifabric is working well on getting that out. You might even try that on the wall. Good luck!
A few people have suggested hair spray. The ingredient in hairspray that removes the marker is alcohol. Try rubbing alcohol. I've also had good success with fingernail polish remover. You have to be careful and not rub to hard to try to avoid damaging your paint.
Sol-U-Mel will take permanent marker off of many things, but on paint of course the paint is liable to be removed with it. Sol-U-Mel is a natural cleaner that I buy from Melaleuca. It's members only so if you want to learn about that store, just let me know.
J. Baird
My Blog
http://wahujen.webs.com
My little Rembrant did that years ago. I tried everything. We ended up priming (Kilz) and painting the walls. He wrote his name in pen. A bunch of little "Chase" all over the wall and behind the curtains. I didn't realize the boy could write so small! I laugh now but it sure wasn't funny at the time!
Not sure if you have more paint but if you cover the marker area with primer and then paint over it, it should seal it.
I work with a company that is by invite only that has a wonderful product that not only gets rid of permenant marker - it doesn't damage the walls either. I'd be happy to tell you more about it and their other safe products. Please contact me - K. @ ###-###-####. I wish you the best of luck.
Try WD-40. Start with a small spot and go slowly. Good luck!
LOL. I only laugh because my daughter used permanent marker to make a "chair rail" around her ENTIRE room with black and silver sharpie!
AAAKKK....I ended up having to use "Killz" to cover it up then repaint the entire room.
I tried everything but I could just not get ALL of it.
Best of luck and I can honestly say I can now laugh about it...It is a fond memory and a great lesson!
Hi! As a former teacher I do know that aerosol hairspray removes permanent marker from a dry erase board and so you might try this. Rubbing alcohil removes ballpoint pen from upholstry and so you could try this as well. Good luck! - hope this helps!
I think I agree with Rebecca. You need to paint over it. You tried the things I was going to suggest. The magic eraser, 409..
My 5yr old did the same thing yrs ago. I went to the Dollar Tree and bought wht they sell call Awsome.. I know its cheap for a dollar but it worked. It also works on grass stains on clothes and blood, ink, marker on clothes too. Not only will it work on your walls but leather furniture too. He marked on that too..
Good Luck...
I have permanent marker all over the back of my new leather sofa (thank you, hubby, for leaving it out) AND all over the bedroom (she took it to bed with it in her pocket and drew on her walls while I THOUGHT she was asleep.) We are putting the house up for sale and painting is NOT going to fix it for us (it's going to cost thousands of dollars for us to fix this mess because of the way our walls are) so I certainly empathize with you.
Good luck!
S.
