Dry erase markers aren’t soluble in water and are for use only in non-porous materials, including mirrors, glass, and porcelain materials. They also contain release agents and pigments, which do not come out when they come into contact with and become absorbed on porous materials, including fiber. But then, don’t frown because there is still something you can do about it. In this article, you’ll learn how to remove dry erase markers off clothes, so check it out.
Contents
Can water remove dry erase marker marks or stains off clothes?
No, it can’t. It is common notion among art enthusiasts that removing dry erase marker marks with water is the solution to the problem at hand, but it’s not. Dabbing the stain with a wet piece of cloth simply won’t work. Why? Again, dry erase markers aren’t water-soluble unlike wet erase markers that are with ink that quickly dissolves in water. Wet erase markers are also designed for porous/laminated work surfaces.
Again, a dry erase marker is made with pigments and solvent, which releases agents that become absorbed in the clothes’ fabric once they touch porous materials. You cannot get the ink out because it gets entangled in the material.
How to get rid of dry erase marker off clothes easily?
There are several methods to try and use to get rid of the ink off your clothes, and we’re highlighting them in the following.
1. Using alcohol
A dry erase marker contains pigments and solvents and alcohol is a great solvent to dissolve the color ink. It dissolves the pigments that are absorbed in the fabric. Alcohol is effective in removing these pigments on the cloth. For the best results, you should use a stronger concentration of alcohol.
By far, it is one of the most common methods of removing the stain of dry erase marker off clothes that you can try for yourself. You only need a few common materials, including alcohol, paper towels, and a clean sponge.
Put the paper towels on the table or any flat surface, and then side down, put the stained fabric on the towel. Then, using a clean sponge, apply the alcohol on the marks, but remember to do it gently. Otherwise, the stain will spread and ruin a bigger area of the fabric. As the paper towel gets wet and absorbs the stain, replace it with a new one. Repeat the same steps until all the stain marks are gone. Rinse the cloth with clean water and then wash the cloth as you do.
2. Using hand sanitizers
If you want to get rid of dry erase marker on a sensitive fabric, you might want to try this method. Hand sanitizers are another alcohol product that can work effectively in removing stains and marks left by dry erase markers on clothes. At the very least, a hand sanitizer contains 60% alcohol, making it gentler than alcohol, so it’s recommended if you need to remove ink on delicate fabric.
Remove any dust or dirt on the fabric because any of these can mix into the sanitizer quickly and become another problem that they stick to the cloth.
Over the stain, put a little of this product, and make sure it’s just enough for the stain once you spread it. Now, start smearing the hand sanitizer over the stain with a clean sponge. Do it in a circular motion, and then allow it to spread and settle for about 15 minutes. When done, rinse the cloth with water.
You can repeat the same process until the stains are removed. Once done, you can wash the cloth as you do.
3. Using murphy’s oil
Murphy’s oil is a common household product for cleaning homes. Fortunately, you can use it to remove dry erase marker stain on clothes if you happen to have it. To start, put adry paper towel on a table or any flat surface, and then dip a swab or a used toothbrush in the murphy’s oil.
Ensure that it’s completely saturated with oil. If possible, use a wet cotton bud or toothbrush for better results. Start rubbing the stain and continue until you can notice suds forming from doing so.
Add more of the oil if needed, and then rub the cloth again and again until the marks are gone. To rub the dry erase marker stain completely, use clean water a sponge and a dishwashing liquid or soap to completely take the stain off. When done, rinse the cloth with water to remove the oil and the soap. Finally, wash the cloth.
4. Using dry cleaner fluid
Another method in removing dry erase marker on clothes is using a dry cleaner fluid or a carpet cleaner with great cleaning agents. To do it, simply apply dry cleaning fluid or a carper stain remover on the fabric, and then leave it there for a couple of minutes. When done, you can rinse it with tap water. If needed, repeat the same process. Once all the marks are gone, wash the cloth as you normally do.
Conclusion
These are how to get dry erase marker off clothes is easy and fast with these simple tips and methods. They’re effective and do not take a lot of time to do so. If you would notice, these methods are using alcohol at a certain degree, and no wonder because alcohol is a great solvent of the color pigments used by dry erase markers. So, the next time you stain your clothes with dry erase markers while working on a project, don’t despair because there is a solution.
However, regardless of which method you choose, run a test to check and ensure that the product you’re using won’t damage the fabric. For shirts, do the test on the armpit area, underside of the fabric, or a spot that isn’t quickly visible.
We hope that this short post on the tips to remove dry erase marker off fabric has helped you get rid of any stains or marks left by these markers on clothes easily. If you have any comments, share them below.
