Every Possible Way to Get Sharpie Off Your Walls

If you're not careful, a Sharpie can leave its mark on almost anything it touches, whether it's a wall or a hand. And once it's dry, getting those nasty little lines off your wall paint can be a real challenge. But don’t sweat it. We have the answers. 

In this article, we're going to show you how to get Sharpie marks off your walls, and how to use some clever techniques to solve even the most stubborn of Sharpie stains.

If you’d like any assistance, Homeaglow is here to help keep your walls and home clean. Book an affordable, professional cleaner now. 

Things to note before you begin

You’re probably eager to begin, but before you do, take note of the following. It could save you and your walls a lot of headaches. 

• Before trying a product, always test it on a small, inconspicuous part of the wall.
• Start with the mild products first like baking soda or rubbing alcohol and work your way up to the strong stuff.
• Remember the longer the mark has been there, the more difficult it is to remove. Be patient.
• Always rub and scrub gently. Some solutions can strip off paint when used aggressively.
• Apply products with a soft cloth or spray them on before scrubbing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

If you've got different types of stains on your wall, alongside sharpie marks, we've got mini-guides to help you. Learn how to remove crayon from your walls and how to clean walls without removing paint.

14 products that can remove Sharpie ink from walls

Generally speaking, it’s possible to remove Sharpie and permanent marker stains because they’re made up of xylene, toluene, and urethane resin, an adhesive. A number of household products can remove these.

• Common household items like Alcohol and Acetone (nail polish remover) are able to break down resin. Use your imagination and try to think of anything in the house which contains some form of alcohol or acetone in it e.g. Hairspray, alcohol disinfectant, nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, etc. 

• Regular soaps and shaving creams can remove grime and dirt effectively. This is probably one of the safest options to try first as they are mostly harmless to humans and paint. These only work the best when dealing with dirt but if the Sharpie stains are fresh enough, they could do the job as well.

• Finally, Bases and Acids are also somewhat effective at removing sharpie marks and stains, but they are riskier to use, especially when working with paints. Just be sure about the potency of the product.

How to get Sharpie off painted walls

Interior and exterior paints have different formulations so getting sharpie marks off each type of wall differs. Interior paints are designed for cleaning and maintenance, while exterior paints are designed to resist the elements and fading. 

How to get Sharpie off painted interior walls

To be safe, start with the most harmless method which is basic soap and water. Apply soap and work a little lather, before rinsing using a wet soft cloth, cotton balls, or soft-bristle toothbrush. 

Another mild solution is alcohol or hand sanitizer. Apply a generous amount on a soft cloth or spray the alcohol on the wall then rub gently or scrub using a soft-bristled toothbrush. 

In the same way, you can also apply Lemon juice mixed with 1 glass of water or Lemon oil directly on the marked surface. Use a gentle circular scrubbing motion.

You can also try white toothpaste or white shaving cream by applying it directly on the stain and leaving it for a couple of minutes before wiping it off with a rag or soft brush.

Another option is to make a paste by mixing 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water. To remove the permanent marker stain, apply the paste and rub gently. To remove baking soda residue, rinse the wall with plain water and a clean rag.

How to get Sharpie off painted exterior walls

It’s best to start out with mild products like those mentioned above. These should be successful if the stain is still fresh. If milder solutions don’t work, try stronger ingredients such as the following:

• Nail polish remover — Rub very gently on painted surfaces as it can risk removing some paint. Work with caution. 
• Hair spray — Gently spray on the area and use a Q-tip to remove the stain.
• WD-40 — Spray on the affected area and wait a few seconds before gently rubbing it off. Wash with soap and water afterward. 
• Baking Soda — Mix 1 part Baking Soda with 3 Parts water then apply the paste.
• White vinegar — Apply vinegar onto the stained surface and let it sit for 3 minutes.
• Magic Eraser — Quickest solution if you have one at home.

How to get Sharpie off drywall

Removing sharpie from drywall is very similar to removing it from a painted wall. Be as gentle as possible to start with and build your way up to harsher products if your initial efforts fail. 

• Using a rag and soapy water, gently wipe the wall. This may work if the marker is fresh.
• Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. To remove the permanent marker stain, apply the paste and rub gently. To remove baking soda residue, rinse the wallpaper with plain water and a clean rag.
• Use a Magic Eraser. To remove the marker stain, dampen the Magic Eraser, ring it ring out, then wipe the stain gently.
• Apply a thin coating of white toothpaste with the tip of your finger. Clean and dampen the wall after removing the stain.
• Try using rubbing alcohol to remove the marker stain. Dampen a clean rag with a moderate amount of rubbing alcohol. Wipe down the stain until it is removed. Then wipe down the wall with a clean rag and water.

How to get Sharpie off a concrete wall

There are a few ways that you can get Sharpie off of concrete walls. One way is to use a wire brush to scrub the Sharpie off of the wall. Another way is to use a degreaser like baking soda (as a paste) to clean the surface and then use a scrubbing pad to remove the Sharpie.

Concrete walls don’t have the risk of any paint fading or peeling, so you can use stronger methods when cleaning.

How to get Sharpie off a brick wall

The best ways to get Sharpie off a brick wall may vary depending on the type and severity of the Sharpie ink stain. Try using a cleaning agent such as rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, scrubbing with a hard brush, or smearing on a paste of baking soda mixed with water. Whichever method you try, wash off afterward with soap and water.

How to get Sharpie off walls without Magic Eraser

Removing Sharpie marks off walls is easy depending on the type of wall you are dealing with and the extent of time the sharpie stain has been on the surface. 

All of the methods and ingredients above can remove sharpie stains, some better than others on varying types of surfaces. If you don’t have a Magic Eraser, try some of the household products we’ve listed above. 

Don’t let the Sharpie on your walls get the better of you

The secret to removing Sharpie is patience and working your way up from mild products to more serious ones if your stain is stubborn. While you may want to dive straight into the strongest methods we’ve explained, remember to start with soap and water, alcohol-based products, and products safe to apply to human skin. These are likely to be most effective without damaging your wall. 

If you’d like any help keeping your walls or home clean, you can always rely on Homeaglow to solve your cleaning woes. Book an affordable, professional cleaner today.