Josh asked: How do I remove sharpie from white shoes? How does one remove blue sharpie from the side of a white skate shoe?
Table of Contents:
Sharpie markers are permanent markers so they are very difficult to remove from porous, soft surfaces. Try the remedies below to remove or significantly lessen the mark.
You Will Need:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Denatured alcohol (found with paint supplies)
- Acetone nail polish remover
- Water
- Cotton swabs
- Paper towels or soft cloths
Steps to Remove the Marker:
*Always test a small hidden section first to ensure the cleaner will not cause any adverse effects to the surface of the material.
- Begin by moistening a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and gently blot the marker line.
- Blot with a clean cloth moistened with water.
- Repeat as necessary.
- If the rubbing alcohol does not remove the stain, try denatured alcohol, but be sure to test that the material can take it. Denatured alcohol can be used as a stripper, so it is much harsher than rubbing alcohol.
- Apply it using a cotton swab, and try to get it only on the marker if possible.
- Blot with a clean cloth moistened with water to rinse completely.
- If there is still a marker line present, wipe the area with nail polish remover.
- Blot with water and a clean cloth to rinse.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- Regular white toothpaste is another alternate cleaner that can be applied to ink and marker stains. Simply apply and rub gently with a soft cloth. Rinse and allow the area to dry.
- Goof Off is a commercial cleaner, available at any department store, that has been successful in removing many types of stains, including marker.
- If the stains are on a surface that can be painted, consider using a paint pen to cover the spot.






{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
How can I remove a permanent marker stain from a very expensive dining room tablecloth? I am trying oxyclean but it does not look like it will remove it? It’s was a black permanent marker.
science project
umm well im doing a science project on sharpie and i want to know all these kindz of thingz like
what makes the sharpie smell strong?
is it really permanent ink?
is there anything to take off the sharpie from clothez ,fabric ?
thank you and i hope you email me back with the anwerz i need thank you
nice talking to youz have a good day
sincerely angie
Science Project
I am doing a science project too! My question of investigation is- What solvents work best for removing Sharpie Permanent ink stains?
I have been working on this for along time now and am so bored. I can’t find the right answers anywhere it is so annoying. I have had to do this for 2 years. I am so glad that this is my last year! Well so ya.
I find a way to remove sharpie stain
Hi I was looking for a way to remove a stain from a Tae Kwon Do white uniform stained with blue sharpie.
Nothing that I find on internet works, so I start doing it myself, I was able to remove the stain 98%, first I used Shout fabric pre wash cleaner directly on the stain and leave it there for 24 hours. Wash in washing machine with warm water and regular detergent, adding Oxy clean powder, the first time stain almost gone. Still the fabric wet I applied the Oxy clean powder directly in the remaining stain and let it dry for a while (20 minutes) wash againg (only this piece of clothing) and stain was gone almost completelly