Permanent markers are designed to write on almost any surface and stay there for a long time.

Fortunately, we prepared some easy methods to remove permanent marker from walls without damaging them.

You’ll see that permanent marker is not as permanent as it first appears!

How to Remove Permanent Marker Stains from Walls

Step 1: Assess the Situation

Before you proceed, identify the type of wall surface you’re dealing with.

You’ll need to know whether it’s painted or wallpapered, what the material is, and whether it’s sealed or not.

The surface type will dictate the best approach to removing the marker stain.

Step 2: Preliminary Cleaning

Start with a dry, clean cloth to gently wipe off any dust or loose particles from the wall. 

This will prepare the surface for the cleaning process.

Step 3: Testing

Always test your cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area first. 

This way, you can avoid damaging the entire wall if the cleaning solution proves too strong.

Step 4: The Gentle Approach – Soap and Warm Water

We begin with the most gentle approach: a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap.

Dip a sponge or soft cloth in the solution and gently rub the marker stain.

Rinse the damp cloth and repeat if necessary.

This method can work for less stubborn stains on robust, non-porous surfaces.

Step 5: Step Up the Cleaning Game – Baking Soda and Water

If the soap and water method didn’t work, don’t worry. There’s another trick up our sleeve: baking soda and water.

Baking soda is a mild abrasive and can lift the stain without damaging your wall.

Mix equal parts of both to create a paste.

Apply the paste to the marker stain using a soft cloth and rub gently.

Remember to rinse the area with water after this process.

Step 6: Bring in the Heavyweights – Commercial Cleaning Solutions or Alcohol

For more persistent stains, it might be time to call in reinforcements.

Alcohol-based products like rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser are the best defence against permanent marker stains.

Another alternative is to use commercial cleaning solutions specifically designed for this purpose.

These products should be used sparingly and always under the guidance of the product’s instructions.

Apply a small amount to a cloth and gently rub the area. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Remember to wear gloves and ventilate the area properly when using these stronger substances.

Step 7: Evaluate and Repeat

Evaluate the results. If the stain is still visible, you may need to repeat the process, try a different cleaning solution or call a cleaning professional.

Step 8: Prime and Paint

If all else fails, your last resort may be to repaint the wall or the section where the stain is.

Use a primer first to cover the marker stain and prevent it from bleeding through the new paint.

FAQs About Removing Permanent Marker Stains

Can I Use Nail Polish Remover to Get Permanent Marker Off Walls?

Yes, nail polish remover can remove permanent marker from walls. This is because it typically contains a powerful solvent called acetone.

However, you should use it with caution, as it can also remove or damage paint, especially if it’s not a high-gloss finish.

How Do You Remove a Dried Permanent Marker Stain?

Here are a few methods to remove dried permanent marker from walls:

• Rubbing Alcohol: This is a very effective solution for removing permanent marker. Wet a cloth or a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol (also known as isopropyl alcohol) and gently dab at the stain. Don’t rub or scrub, as this can spread the stain and possibly damage the paint.
• Acetone or Nail Polish Remover: Acetone, which is often found in nail polish remover, can help dissolve the marker stain. Apply a small amount to a cloth and gently blot the stain. Be cautious with this method, as acetone can sometimes remove or dull paint, particularly if it’s a dark or vibrant color.
• Commercial Cleaning Products: Products like WD-40 or Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser can be very effective. Follow the instructions on the packaging and, as with other methods, test in an inconspicuous area first.
• Toothpaste and Baking Soda: This combination has mild abrasive properties that can help lift the stain without damaging the paint. Mix equal parts of baking soda and toothpaste, apply it to the stain, and gently rub with a soft cloth. Rinse the area with warm water and dry it with a clean towel.
• Hair Spray: This method is an old household trick. Spray a small amount of hairspray onto the stain, let it sit for a few moments but don’t let it dry. Then wipe it off gently with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary.

Remember, these methods may require some patience and multiple attempts to completely remove the stain.

Can I Get Permanent Marker Off Walls Without Ruining Paint?

Yes, you can remove permanent marker off walls without ruining the paint, although it may take a bit of careful work.

You can always try using warm, soapy water and a clean cloth to try and lift most of the permanent marker stain. If that doesn’t work, you can try using a different cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol.

As paint types and marker stains can vary, it’s important to test any of the methods above on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t damage the finish.

How to Get Permanent Marker Off White Walls?

The most common cleaning method to remove permanent marker off white walls is to use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl).

Apply a bit of rubbing alcohol to a soft cloth or cotton ball and dab at the stain. Remember to avoid rubbing or scrubbing, which can spread the stain.

It’s Not So Permanent After All

Regardless of your chosen cleaning method, always remember to be gentle on your walls.

Vigorous rubbing can damage the surface, especially if it’s painted or wallpapered.

So while permanent markers can create a mess, it’s not a hopeless situation.

With some know-how and maybe a touch of luck, you can restore your wall to its pristine state.

Remember, prevention is always better than cure, and keep those permanent markers out of the reach of little hands (and maybe some grown-up ones, too!).

The post How To Get Permanent Marker Off Walls appeared first on Maid2Match.

How to clean walls will depend on the material. Painted walls will require different methods than, say, tile walls. But the general cleaning supplies you’ll need to keep walls clean are warm water, a microfibre cloth or sponge, and liquid dish soap. For wall stains, you may need dish detergent, bicarb soda, or sugar soap.

No matter how clean everything else is, if you don’t have clean walls, your room will look lacklustre. Here’s your handy guide to wall cleaning based on the different materials and finishes.

Before You Begin Wall Cleaning

Always dust the walls before you clean them! This way, you won’t be wiping dust and grime onto the surface – which will just make things harder for you afterwards.

Also, don’t forget to clean your skirting boards afterwards!

How Often to Clean Walls

Weekly: Clean the area around light switches and doorknobs. Also, clean the walls of your shower area once a week to prevent a build-up of soap scum and minerals.

Monthly: Dust and deep clean walls. In high-traffic areas, twice a month would be better.

Immediately: Remove any stains, splatters (such as grease), crayon marks, and permanent marker.

If you’re not up to deep cleaning all the walls in your house (and we don’t blame you – that’s a lot of surfaces!), then leave it to professional cleaners!

Cleaning Types of Painted Walls

Painted walls are one of the more common wall finishes. Make sure you know what type of paint was used on your walls so you know how to clean them!

How to clean flat-painted walls

Dull paint finishes like flat and satin are not as durable, so be gentle while cleaning. Avoid chemicals and degreasers, and don’t scrub too hard.

For cleaning flat-painted walls, you’ll need:

• Warm water
• Sponge
• Microfibre cloth

Simply dampen the sponge in water and wring it out until it’s almost dry. Wipe the walls clean, pausing to wet and wring your sponge when it gets dirty.

Wipe the walls dry with the microfibre cloth.

How to clean glossy painted walls

This type of paint is more hard-wearing, but is prone to scratching if you use an abrasive cleaning tool. For cleaning glossy walls, you’ll need:

• Warm water
• Dish soap
• Sponge
• Microfibre cloth

Add a few drops of the soap to your water and mix. Dip the sponge in and wring it out until it’s almost dry. Use the damp sponge to gently wipe your walls. Dry with a microfibre cloth.

How to clean latex painted walls

Latex paint is also quite durable, so you can use a non-abrasive multi-purpose cleaner. Mix it with warm water and use a clean sponge dipped in the solution to wipe the walls.

How to clean oil-based painted walls

Oil-based paints are often used for textured walls, so ensure you clean along any raised edges. For cleaning oil-based painted walls, use:

• Dish soap
• Warm water
• White vinegar
• Sponge
• Microfibre cloth

Mix 1 tsp of liquid dish soap and 1/4 tsp of white vinegar into a litre of warm water. Dip a sponge into the cleaning solution and use it to wipe the walls. Dry with a microfibre cloth.

For stains, let the mixture sit on the affected area for 10 minutes before wiping.

Cleaning stains off painted walls

Use a paste of bicarb soda and warm water to clean stains on painted walls. Make sure to scrub using a non-abrasive sponge or pad. You can also use diluted white vinegar.

If that doesn’t work, use a rag lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol.

Cleaning Other Wall Materials

Of course, paint isn’t the only available wall finish – there are other options, too! Here are some specialised wall materials and how to clean them.

How to clean wallpaper

Be careful when cleaning wallpapered walls – you could damage the finish, and that could lead to you replacing a swathe of the wallpaper! Avoid abrasive cleaners and cloths that might scrape or scuff your wall.

Wallpaper usually doesn’t need more than some dusting to clean. For scuff marks or smudges, use a gum eraser and be gentle. You can also use a dry cleaning sponge from a hardware store.

How to clean stone walls

The most common stone finishes for walls are granite, sandstone, and limestone. Since these are natural stones, avoid acid-based cleaning products such as vinegar. Instead, use stone soap or mild dish detergent.

Add a few drops of dish soap to your warm water, then dip a soft sponge or cloth into the mixture. Gently wipe the walls clean, then dry immediately afterwards so the moisture doesn’t seep into the stone.

How to clean brick walls

Start by mixing equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz the bricks and let the cleaning solution sit for a few minutes. Then use a sponge mop to clean the brick walls.

If your walls are particularly scuffed, you can use a soft-bristled scrub brush. Alternatively, mix 2–3 tbsp of dish soap with half a cup of bicarb soda. Spread it on the brick, let it sit for 5–10 minutes, then scrub it off. Use a damp cloth to wipe away the residue.

How to clean tile walls

For ceramic and porcelain tiles: mix half a cup of vinegar in a litre of water, and fill a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to the tiles, then wipe with a damp, soft cloth.

For marble tiles: simply use warm water and a microfibre cloth. If there’s dirt build-up, add a few drops of liquid dish detergent to the water.

Don’t forget to clean the tile grout afterwards!

How to clean linoleum walls

Linoleum and vinyl are very durable and waterproof materials, which makes cleaning much easier. All you need is soapy water and a soft-bristled scrub brush. Dip the brush into the solution and start scrubbing! Then rinse with clean water and a damp microfibre cloth.

Cleaning White Walls

White walls can be a little finicky – stains and scuff marks show up more on a white background. You’ll also need to remove dust frequently so the walls don’t look dull and dirty. Thankfully, they’re very straightforward to clean.

For how to clean white walls, you can:

• Wipe away dirt with water and dish detergent
• Apply a paste of bicarb soda and water, then wipe away with a damp sponge
• Refresh the surface with an all-purpose cleaner or magic eraser

How to Clean Walls with Sugar Soap

It sounds sweet, but sugar soap isn’t actually sugar. It’s a granulated cleaner that resembles sugar, and can be used to clean walls and other surfaces as regular maintenance.

As with other cleaning methods, test the sugar soap on an inconspicuous area to ensure it causes no damage.

Mix 1 tbsp of sugar soap per 1 litre of water, then use a sponge to apply it to your home walls. Make sure you’re wearing cleaning gloves so you don’t touch the solution directly. Then take a second sponge and some fresh water, and use that to remove the residue.

Cleaning Stubborn Stains Off Walls

Mix 1/4 cup of bicarb soda with 1 tbsp of water to make a paste. Then take a clean cloth and gently rub the mixture onto the stain, using circular motions. Use a damp cloth or some warm water to rinse the residue.

Cleaning Sticky Residue Off Walls

If your little one has left stickers or you want to remove something glued to the wall – that’s gonna leave a sticky residue. Fortunately, it’s simple to remove! Just use some rubbing alcohol and let it sit for a minute or two, then rub it off with a clean cloth.

Cleaning Grease Stains Off Walls

For painted or tile walls, you can use diluted lemon juice or white vinegar to clean grease stains! The acidic properties of both substances can cut through grease and grime easily.

Mix a 1:1 solution of lemon juice or vinegar with water. Spray it on the affected area and wipe it away with a soft sponge.

Cleaning Mould Off Walls

If you’ve noticed mould and mildew on your walls, you’ll need to get rid of it ASAP. Start by assessing how deep the mould has grown – is the drywall or concrete compromised? If yes, then that’s a job for construction professionals. They’ll likely take out and replace your walls to remove the source of the mould.

If your drywall or concrete is intact, however, then you can remove the mould spots with some good old-fashioned elbow grease. You can either use bleach or white vinegar to clean mould off walls, although the latter is the more natural and less harsh option.

Cleaning mould using bleach: Mix one part bleach with three parts water, and apply using a rag or sponge. Always wear waterproof rubber gloves while working to protect yourself.

Cleaning mould using vinegar: Undiluted, mild white vinegar works to clean mould off your wall. Spray on the surface, then let it sit for 30 minutes. Wipe clean with water.

DIY Wall Cleaning Solution

You can skip the harsh chemicals and make your own natural cleaning solution to remove stains from walls! Just mix 1 tsp of dish soap and 1/4 tsp of white vinegar in a litre of warm water.

This mixture will work best on painted walls and tile, but avoid using it on stone and brick.

The post How To Clean Walls appeared first on Maid2Match.

Sometimes they draw with crayons on nice, clean living room walls.

While you treasure your child’s art, you also treasure your home decor – or your rental deposit. Fortunately, getting crayon off walls is straightforward! You can use your standard white vinegar or baking soda, or you can use a pencil eraser. Crayon markings also come off using toothpaste, Magic Eraser, or simple dish soap and a blow dryer.

How to get crayon off the walls? Easy! It just takes some elbow grease and some household cleaning products. Then follow our tips so your little artist doesn’t mess up your clean walls!

Cleaning Products to Remove Crayon

Here’s a rundown of some of the best products to help remove crayon from walls:

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Pencil eraser
• Toothpaste
• Clean magic erasers
• WD-40
• Dish soap and a blow dryer

Avoid using a damp cloth or damp rag by itself, since that might smudge the crayon wax. You also don’t want to use steel wool, since it can damage your walls. Meanwhile, steer clear of mayonnaise or peanut butter – they’ll only make your walls smell funky.

Of course, if your little artist scrawled over too much canvas, or if you’re struggling to clean your kids’ crayon art, then it’s time to leave it to professionals. Hire a home cleaning service and get the kids out of the house for an afternoon. Just make sure they don’t draw on your walls again after! 

Cleaning Crayon with White Vinegar

Remove crayon from walls with this all-powerful household product: distilled white vinegar. It can do just about anything, and as a bonus, it’s safe for painted walls!

For removing crayon with white vinegar:

• Pour some vinegar into a small bowl
• Dip an old toothbrush into the liquid
• Gently scrub the crayon wax, adding pressure as needed
• Wipe afterwards with a damp microfibre cloth

You can also pour the vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz directly onto the walls, then scrub with a toothbrush. It’ll also act as a natural mould deterrent.

Clean Crayon with Baking Soda

Since baking soda is mildly abrasive, it’s also an effective way to remove crayon marks from your home’s walls.

• Pour some baking soda into a bowl
• Dip a damp cloth in the substance
• Lightly rub in circles to remove crayon markings
• Follow with another damp microfibre cloth to rinse the area
• Use a clean rag to dry the area

You can also make a thick paste of baking soda and water, which will have the same effect. 

Remove Crayon from Walls with Erasers

A pencil eraser or art eraser is more effective for a smaller affected area. It’s also better for wallpaper, rather than painted walls or drywall.

• Rub the eraser in small circular motions
• Be gentle, or you could smudge the colour
• Wipe with a damp cloth afterwards to remove eraser residue

This method is also effective as a primer before using another one of our tips! It’ll lighten the crayon stains and reduce the amount of scrubbing you need to do. 

Remove Crayon Marks with Toothpaste

The important thing for this method is to use non-gel toothpaste – and preferably white, because otherwise the colour might rub off… and then you’ll have to clean even more. Also, test it out on a small part of your wall first, just in case.

To get crayon off walls with toothpaste, apply some on a damp towel or microfibre cloth. Rub the toothpaste in gentle circular motions over the crayon marks until they’ve been cleaned off.

TIP: You can use toothpaste to clean other things too, like white shoes!

Get Crayon off Walls with Magic Eraser

Both magic erasers and eraser sponges are nifty tools for cleaning your home. Dampen the eraser or sponge – damp, not wet! – then lightly scrub the marks.

Just like regular erasers, this method is only effective over a small area. If your kid has scrawled over large sections or multiple walls, you’ll risk wearing out the sponge. Better to choose other methods instead.

Clean Crayon from Walls with WD-40

This is the strongest solution on the list – well, besides repainting or repapering the whole wall. (Let’s not resort to that, though.) It’s very effective over large sections of wall. You’ll need:

• WD-40
• Paper towels
• Soapy water
• Microfibre cloth

Do not spray WD-40 directly on the wall, since this can leave an oily residue. Instead, spray a small amount on a folded paper towel and lightly rub it over the crayon marks. Be gentle, and use only enough to clean the stains. Change your paper towel regularly so you don’t stain the wall further.

When you’re done, dip the microfibre cloth into soap and water to clean up any residue. Dry the walls afterwards with a clean rag.

Get Crayon Marks Off with Dish Soap and a Blow Dryer

Sometimes the simplest method is the best. It’ll need some elbow grease, but it’s one of the least risky options.

To remove crayon from walls, you’ll need:

• A blow dryer
• Dish soap
• Baking soda
• Hot water
• A damp rag

Mix the last three items into a paste, and keep it handy!

First up, turn on the dryer – but use it carefully. Too much heat applied to one spot could damage your wall. The dryer will heat up the wax, making it easier to wipe up.

Once you’ve blow-dried one spot, gently scrub the area with a damp cloth dipped in the cleaning paste. Keep going until the whole wall is clean.

After you’re done, wipe down the wall with a damp microfibre cloth to remove any residue.

Crayon Cleaning Tips

The best solution to getting crayon off walls is to never get them dirty in the first place! Of course, kids will be kids, so here are some tips to protect your walls from your child’s creative endeavours. (Otherwise, it’s time to start scrubbing.)

1. Buy washable crayons

Simple in hindsight, isn’t it? Make clean-up easier by getting a crayon set that you can simply wash off after your little Picasso is finished. Less effort for cleaning, and you don’t hinder your kid’s self-expression. After all, creative freedom is one of the joys of childhood!

2. Paper the walls

Want to preserve your kid’s art but don’t want to risk your rental? Grab some manila paper and get ready to paper up.

The idea is simple – cover the lower part of your walls with removable paper. Your children can draw to their hearts’ content without actually marking the paint or wallpaper. When the paper is full, take it down and replace it!

This way, you get to keep the art without having to clean up.

3. Test first

If you’ve Googled “how to get crayon off the walls” and found our tips, test each method first! This ensures you don’t accidentally damage your walls (and lose your rental deposit).

Once you’ve tested your cleaning method of choice, go ahead and work over the entire affected area. But if you’re really stumped, sometimes it’s better to leave it to the professionals!

The post How To Get Crayon Off The Walls appeared first on Maid2Match.