Markers are often used in offices and educational institutions. That is why it is easy to get dirty with a marker, but how to remove a marker from clothes without damaging the item? Knowing the answer to this question, you will not have to throw away your favorite clothes.
Methods of removal depending on the type of marker
For quick and effective cleaning, it is advisable to know what the marker is based on. Depending on this, you can quickly determine what exactly to remove the marker from clothing so that not a trace of the stain remains. The fresher the stain, the greater the chance that no traces will remain.
Water and chalk
These markers are the easiest to wash off. You can use regular dishwashing detergent for this. Apply it to the marker marks and gently rub in with a cotton pad or cloth. When the fabric is completely dry, re-treat the stained area, but this time using laundry soap. Then rinse off the soap and wash the item in the washing machine.
The second common remedy is toothpaste. You need white toothpaste, which is applied to the dirty area and left for 30 minutes. After this time, the remains of the product should be washed off under the tap and the item should be washed in the usual way.
Another method involves using regular salt. Dissolve a glass of salt in warm water and soak the stained item in it for 1 hour. After that, simply wash the item in the washing machine.
In general, water-based or chalk-based markers can be literally erased with a soft brush and soapy water. Dip the brush into the solution and gently rub off the marker marks.
Alcoholic
It is more difficult to wash off such a marker and, paradoxically, alcohol-based products or special stain removers are excellent for this:
- vodka - place a paper napkin on the back side of the stain. Soak a cotton pad in vodka and place it on the marker marks. Carefully soak the fabric, when the napkin is damaged, change it to another one. Repeat the action until the marker disappears completely. Then the item needs to be washed with powder to remove the smell of alcohol;
- soda and vinegar is one of the best options for removing marker. Pour 3 liters of water into a washing basin and add 10 tablespoons of vinegar. Soak the stained item in this water and leave for 2-3 hours. Then take the item out, sprinkle the stain with baking soda and lightly rub the soda into the fabric. Rinse the item in running water and wash in the usual way;
- Hairspray is an unusual but effective remedy. Place a paper towel on the back of the stain. Spray hairspray on the stain and rub it well. While the hairspray is still wet, rinse it off under running water. Wash the item with powder;
- tea tree oil - you can buy this product at a pharmacy, but how can you remove marker stains with it? Wet a cotton swab in tea tree oil and apply it to the marker stains. The stains will gradually disappear, and the treated area should be wiped with a piece of cloth. This product will effectively remove marker stains even from leather products.
Permanent
The most persistent type of markers, therefore the hardest to wash off. To remove permanent marker from clothes, you will have to use aggressive chemicals, such as acetone, gasoline. They are used according to the same principle:
- soak a cotton swab or cloth in the product;
- lightly blot the dirty area with it;
- wait 20-25 minutes;
- after this time, carefully rub the marker marks with a cloth;
- When the marker has completely disappeared, the remaining product must be removed (rinsed off, rubbed with soap), and then the product must be washed in the usual way.
Baking soda is no less effective in such cases. It also copes well with permanent markers. Slowly pour warm water into the baking soda powder until you get a puree-like mixture. Apply this mixture to the stain and wait until it dries completely. Then wipe off the remaining baking soda with a rag and the stain will disappear.
You can also use vinegar. Immediately soak a cotton pad in it, rub the stain well, soak the item in a vinegar solution (10 tbsp per 3 l of water). Remove after an hour and rinse in cold water. If the stain remains, repeat. Then, to remove the vinegar smell, wash the item with powder.
Oil
It is also possible to clean off traces from such a marker. For this purpose, you can use:
- toothpaste - use only white toothpaste (others may leave marks). Apply it to the stained area and rub gently. The felt-tip pen marks will gradually begin to disappear, after which simply wash off the remaining product with running water. Wash the item in the usual way;
- vegetable oil - soak a piece of cloth in vegetable oil and gently rub the stained area. The marker will come off, but greasy stains will remain. They can be easily removed with dishwashing liquid or stain remover.
You can also use table salt in the washing machine. This product washes out gouache, marker and many other stains. Load the laundry into the washing machine, pour a glass of salt instead of powder (the powder itself is not needed). Set the temperature to 30 degrees, start the wash. Be careful! Salt can damage your equipment!
Nuances considering the fabric
Many types of fabric are damaged when in contact with certain bleaches and stain removers. Therefore, in order not to damage the item when cleaning, you need to consider what fabric it is made of:
- Cotton is a natural fabric that is not damaged by aggressive chemicals. For white cotton clothes, you can use bleach or other bleach-based products. Colored items can be washed well using, for example, Vanish;
- denim - clothes made of this fabric are usually cleaned with acetone. Moreover, this product will not only remove marker stains, but will also help remove gouache, felt-tip pens, and nail polish from clothes. After treating the stain with acetone, you need to wash the item in a washing machine at a high temperature;
- wool - this type of fabric is difficult to clean completely. An effective remedy is a mixture of soda and lemon juice. Combine these ingredients to make a paste, spread the mixture in a thin layer on the contaminated area. Leave for 20-30 minutes, remove the remaining paste, and wash the item. When using this product, you need to be careful, it is a strong one;
- delicate fabrics - aggressive chemicals are definitely not suitable, so choose the most gentle recipe. For delicate fabrics, a home remedy with vinegar is suitable: mix 1 tbsp of milk and table vinegar, add lemon juice, 1 tsp of borax. Apply to marker marks, leave for 10 minutes. Then rub with a cotton swab until the stains disappear.
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