How To Get Washable Marker Out Of Carpet

A marker stain on the carpet is a definite indicator of toddlers (if the marks on the cabinets and walls weren’t enough). I love nurturing the kids’ artistic streak on paper and not my carpets.

A washable marker stain can be removed, with no residue too! I have the best at-home tips that don’t need the help of a carpet cleaning service.

Be it any color! You can get it out no problem. 

What Takes Marker Out Of Carpet?

You can use several methods to take marker out of the carpet. There are lots of DIY solutions that you can do by yourself with items that you may already have at home. This saves costs and allows you to tackle the stain as soon as you see it.

However, with all methods, it’s best to do a spot test on a hidden part of the carpet.

Rubbing Alcohol and Hair Spray

When dealing with a marker stain, non-oil-based hair spray and rubbing alcohol is one of the most effective methods. It is also safe for most carpet fibers, so you don’t have to worry about damage.

Steps to follow:

1. Pour some rubbing alcohol on the stained area, and make sure it’s soaked properly. You can also use a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol to apply it to the stain.
2. Take a paper towel or microfiber rag to blot the area. Blot from the edge to the center. DON’T RUB THE STAIN! It will spread, and you will have a bigger problem on your hands.
3. After you blot it, you should see the stain fading. Then, spray some hair spray into the stain. This will help you finish the stain off.
4. Blot the spray again and let it dry without letting anyone walk on it. Open up some windows and doors, so it dries faster.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Our old friends vinegar and baking soda are old age tricks that have been passed down from our parents. They are reliable techniques to remove probably ANY stain from fabric or carpet. You just need a cup of vinegar, your vacuum, baking soda, and paper towels.

Following the right steps, you are sure to get a successful result:

1. Pour vinegar on the marker stain and make sure it’s covered. The vinegar must soak into the carpet deeply. Make sure that the vinegar doesn’t bleach the fibers (unlikely though).
2. Blot the area with a clean towel and spread a little more vinegar on the stains.
3. Sprinkle some baking soda over the stained part of the carpet, then blot with a towel.
4. Leave the baking soda to set for one or two hours.
5. At this time, the stain should fade or disappear completely. Now you can use your vacuum cleaner or steam cleaner to suck up all the residue of baking soda. Not only will this remove the last of the stain, but it will also give your carpet a nice smell.

White Carpet: Hydrogen Peroxide

Your white carpet may not take well to the above methods, but hydrogen peroxide for stain removal is an effective alternative for non-professional (but professional!) cleaners like you and me.

DO NOT use hydrogen peroxide on colored carpets as it can fade the carpet dye. If you have white or other shades of white, then this solution will give you the best outcome.

Do the following:

1. Spray hydrogen peroxide in the stained area of the carpet. Add a good amount to soak the carpet properly.
2. Use the paper towel to lightly rub the peroxide on the stain. Cover the stain with the cloth and leave for 1 hour. Avoid using a colored cloth as the dye can be transferred to the carpet.
3. You will see that the marker stain is fading. Blot the area with the cloth.
4. Take a paper towel and run it under cold water. Blot and rub the area to take out the hydrogen peroxide.
5. Ensure that all the moisture is absorbed with a clean paper towel.

You don’t have to repeat the method because it’s effective the first-time round!

You can also use your steam cleaner after doing one of these methods if the marker stain was there for a while. Steam cleaning gets into the deepest part of the carpet fibers, finding and eliminating any dirt it gets hold of!

What If The Marker Is Permanent?

A permanent marker is, well, permanent.

However, it can still come off your carpet. You can use nail polish remover, blot some on a cotton ball and press it firmly on the stained area. Keep blotting the nail polish remover on the stain until you see it fading. Use a new cotton ball each time.

You can also use hand or surface sanitizer. Spray some on the stained area of the carpet and blot it with a cloth. After some back-breaking blotting, the stain should come off.

If all fails, you can use one of the trusted methods we discussed above!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can detergent alone remove the marker stain from the carpet?

Unfortunately, it can’t. Detergent is not suited for marker stains as its primary target is oil-based stains or food stains. You have to use items such as non-oil-based hairspray, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or even cleaner paste.

How do you use a steamer to remove stains?

Your steam cleaner is perfect for removing stains. Aim your nozzle at the stain and allow the steam to loosen it up. Don’t hold it for too long because it might burn! Blot the area with a paper towel or clean rag to absorb moisture and the stain.

How to remove marker stains out of cloth?

If some marker ink got onto your clothes or your favorite rag, don’t worry! You can soak your garment in a solution of either hydrogen peroxide, acetone, hand sanitizer, hair spray, or rubbing alcohol. The stain will fade off.

After that, wash your clothes as normal with soap and water. If the cloth is white, you can use hot water and chlorine bleach for the best results.