13 easy ways to remove marker off dry erase

Whether you’ve accidentally drawn on an erase board yourself with a permanent marker, or you have mischievous children who decided to give it a go, there are thankfully ways in which you can remove a marker from a dry erase board.

In fact, it’s easier to remove than you might originally think. So, try not to panic, and follow some of the magic cleaning tips below. 

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Before you use your whiteboard 

Ensure that you’ve removed the whiteboard film. There is a protective film white that prevents any scratches from the time it leaves the warehouse, to when it arrives at the destination.

If you notice that there isn’t any protective film, it might be best for you to verify that the board has been installed with the dry erase surface up and not backwards. 

Clean your new whiteboard with a damp cloth and rinse it with water before drying it with a dry, soft cloth. 

1. Use a dry-erase marker 

This is probably one of the easiest ways in which to remove markers off a dry-erase board. Simply draw over the permanent marker with a dry erase marker, ensuring that it’s completely covered.

It might sound too good to be true, but once you’ve drawn over the permanent marker, you can then wipe it away with ease. Your whiteboard should look as good as new.

2. Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser 

You can use rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser and a clean, soft and damp cloth. Ensure that the cloth isn’t soaking and dripping everywhere.

Put the rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser on the cloth and use it to gently rub away the permanent marker stain. Use a dry clean cloth to dry the area once cleaned.

If the ink stain hasn’t gone, then repeat the process up to 3 times until it is completely removed. Ensure that you use the 99% or 90% solution as the 70% doesn’t work nearly as well. 

3. Peroxide 

Grab some peroxide and pour it directly onto the permanent marker marks. Wipe the peroxide off with a dry cloth or paper towel.

You might need to repeat the process a few times in order for the marks to be fully removed. 

4. Hairspray 

If you can’t find any of the other items at home, then you can use some hairspray. Simply spray it on, wipe it off and then get rid of the sticky residue with soap and water.

This is an easy way to get rid of permanent markers. 

5. Toothpaste 

In the same way that it can get stains off your teeth, it might just work for your whiteboard. In fact, it removes stubborn stains from most smooth, non-porous surfaces.

Just wipe it on, give it a scrub, and wipe it off. You can use soap and water to remove any leftover residue. 

6. Ben-Gay

Even though this is slightly abrasive, which may cause an effect on the finish of your whiteboard, it can be used for cleaning off stains.

It contains alcohol which adds cleaning power. 

7. Coffee grinds 

This might seem like a strange one, but it’s actually proven to work. It is abrasive but not lethal on the finish.

Scrub it on and wipe it off with a dry cloth. Ensure that you remove the residue with warm soapy water. 

8. Vinegar 

Vinegar is used for many reasons around the house, but using white vinegar can clean almost anything, including stains on a whiteboard. Most white vinegar comes in spray bottles, which is convenient for this type of job.

Spray it on and wipe it off. You might find it best to leave it on for a few seconds whilst it works its magic. 

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9. WD-40 

WD-40 has many uses around the home. Simply spray some WD-40 directly onto the stain and scrub it with a clean cloth to remove it.

However, be mindful that it is volatile and strong. Ensure that wherever you use it, it’s a well-ventilated area. 

10. Nail polish remover 

Acetone nail polish works as a solvent to remove marks that are stubborn, even on a whiteboard. Use a microfibre cloth and wet the corner of it with nail polish remover.

You can then gently rub the permanent marker in small circles until it has completely vanished. 

11. Pencil eraser 

You can use the end of a pencil eraser to rub away the permanent marker.

This method should only be used if the other methods haven’t worked due to the fact you’ll be rubbing away the finish on the whiteboard. 

12. Glass cleaner 

Glass cleaner contains alcohol which is great for stubborn marks. You can use any commercial glass cleaner and it will hopefully remove the stain for you.

Spray it on the whiteboard and let it sit for a few seconds before wiping it off with a dry cloth or paper towel. 

13. Magic Eraser 

Doing a gentle scrub of Magic Eraser can remove any stubborn stains. Wet the eraser so it’s easier to work with and scrub it over the permanent marker stain.

You want to ensure you’re using the non-abrasive side so you don’t damage the whiteboard. 

Whiteboard maintenance 

It is best to purchase some whiteboard cleaner and use that on your boards every 2-3 days in order to keep it looking its best. Some cleaners come in spray bottles of convenient disposable wipes.

When you regularly clean your board, you will ensure that your dry erase ink doesn’t sit on the board for too long, which can cause stains. 

Keeping your board clean will ensure that your notes are legible and well-communicated. 

If you notice that the finish on the whiteboard has been compromised, rub a cloth moistened with baby oil over it in order to get a good finish again. 

Do Not 

• Use tape on whiteboards 
• Use abrasive erasers, cleaners, sponges or rags 
• Use a permanent marker 
• Use a chalkboard eraser 
• Use a wet eraser 

For best results and to prevent your whiteboard from damage such as clouding, warping and scratching, below are some cleaning instructions: 

• Don’t use any abrasives, alcohol, bleach or glass cleaner, unless you need to. Be aware that using these products will cause damage to the whiteboard itself. 
• Use soap and water to wipe down the surface after use. 
• Use a lint-free microfibre cloth to prevent any scratching. 
• Do not aggressively rub-down the whiteboard as this can cause scratches. 
• Use the dry side of the cloth to buff the whiteboard. This will allow for more time between cleans and reduce the risk of further stains. 
• Use only water-soluble dry-erase markers 

Suggested markers 

It’s always best to use a low odour dry erase marker, especially if you’re in a daycare or school. Low odour markers might not erase as easily as regular “high odour” markers, but the odour reduction is quite significant. 

Does Sharpie come off a dry-erase board? 

Sharpie is one of the most well-known permanent markers on the market, so you might think that it will be harder to remove.

However, if you follow the cleaning steps above, there shouldn’t be a problem. It will remove as easily as any other permanent marker. 

Conclusion 

We hope that you’ve found the magic gem that has been able to remove the permanent marker stain off your whiteboard.

In order to save yourself more work in the future, it may be vital to store your whiteboard markers away from all other pens and writing utensils. You might put the pens on the board, in a pen tray or just entirely separate in order to avoid confusion.

Although they tend to be durable, you can save yourself the trouble of cleaning whiteboards by keeping your office supplies organised and smartly placed. 

Last update on 2023-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API