How to Get Permanent Marker Stain out of Hardwood Flooring

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Discovering a permanent marker stain on your hardwood flooring is frustrating! Thankfully, it is possible to remove the stain. Apply isopropyl alcohol, toothpaste and baking soda, or nail polish to the stain; try removing the stubborn stain with a dry erase marker, a magic eraser, or WD-40. If the stain just won’t come out, replace the damaged board yourself or hire a handyman to complete the repairs.

Method 1
Method 1 of 7:

Removing the Stain with Isopropyl Alcohol

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  1. To prevent further damage to the stained area, apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to a hidden area of your floor. Select a spot under a rug or covered by a piece of furniture. [1]
    • Pour ¼ teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol onto a rag. Wipe the test spot with the saturated rag. Allow it to sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
    • Wipe the surface clean and assess the results. If the product has removed the finish on your floor or left behind a stain, choose a different method of stain removal. [2]
  2. Pour 1 teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol onto a clean rag. Run the saturated rag over the permanent marker stain. Allow the product to sit on the stain for 3 to 5 minutes. [3]
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  3. Run a clean rag or sponge under the tap or dip it in a bucket of clean water. Use the saturated rag or sponge to scrub the stained area thoroughly in an effort to remove the stain. [4]
  4. If the product removed part of the stain, apply more isopropyl alcohol to the area. Allow it to sit for 3 to 5 minutes before scrubbing the area with a wet rag. [5]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 7:

Removing the Stain with Toothpaste and Baking Soda

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  1. In a small dish, combine white toothpaste—do not use the gel toothpaste—with baking soda at a ratio of 1:1. Use a spoon to mix the products thoroughly. [6]
  2. Spoon a portion of the mixture onto a clean rag. Use the rag to apply the baking soda-toothpaste mix to the stained area. [7]
  3. Move the rag in small circles in an effort to remove the stain. Apply more baking soda-toothpaste mixture to the rag as needed. Continue to scrub the area until the stain has vanished. [8]
    • Be patient. It may take a while!
  4. Fill a small bucket with warm water and soap. Dip a clean rag into the soapy water and wring it out. Use the wet rag to remove the baking-soda toothpaste mixture from the floor. [9]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 7:

Removing the Stain with Nail Polish Remover

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  1. To prevent further damage to the stained area, test the product on a hidden area of your floor before applying it to the stain. Select a spot under a rug, beneath a coffee table, or covered by a chair. [10]
    • Pour ¼ teaspoon of nail polish remover onto a clean cloth. Rub the saturated rag onto the test spot and allow it to sit on the hardwood for 3 to 5 minutes.
    • Wipe the surface clean with a wet rag. Look at the test spot and determine if the product has removed the finish on your floor or left behind a stain. If the test spot is damaged, choose a different method of stain removal. [11]
  2. Pour 1 teaspoon of nail polish remover onto a clean rag. Wipe and scrub the permanent marker stain with the saturated rag. Allow the product to sit on the stain for 3 to 5 minutes. [12]
  3. Run a clean cloth under the tap or dip it in a bucket of clean water. Use the wet cloth to scrub the stained area. Scrub the stain using small circular motions in an effort to remove the permanent marker and clean up the nail polish remover. [13]
  4. If the product only removed part of the stain or caused it to fade, apply more nail polish remover to the stain. Allow it to sit for 3 to 5 minutes before scrubbing the area with a wet rag. [14]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 7:

Removing the Stain with a Dry Erase Marker

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  1. Remove the cap from a dry erase marker. Carefully color over the permanent marker stain with the dry erase marker. Let it sit for 1 minute. [15]
  2. Use a dry, clean rag to wipe the stained area. As you wipe off the dry erase marker, the permanent marker stain should come off too. [16]
  3. If the dry erase marker only removed part of the stain or caused the permanent marker stan to fade, repeat the process. If this did not work, try a different method. [17]
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Method 5
Method 5 of 7:

Removing the Stain with a Magic Eraser

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  1. Remove the magic eraser from its packaging. Submerge the magic eraser into a bucket of water or run it under the tap. Wring out the magic eraser. [18]
  2. Use the damp magic eraser to scrub the stained area. Move the magic eraser in small circular motions. [19]
  3. Removing the stain with the magic eraser may take a while. Continue to scrub the stained area until the stain has lifted. Re-wet and wring out the sponge as needed. [20]
  4. After removing the stain, grab a dry, clean rag. Use the cloth to wipe up any moisture remaining on the floor. [21]
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Method 6
Method 6 of 7:

Removing the Stain with WD-40

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  1. To prevent further damage to the stained area, test the product on a hidden area of your floor before applying it to the stain. Select a spot beneath a coffee table or covered by a couch. [22]
    • Spray the WD-40 directly onto the test spot. Allow it to sit on the hardwood for 3 to 5 minutes.
    • Remove the product with a clean, wet rag.
    • Spray the test area with a stain remover to get rid of any greasy residue. Wipe up the spray with a damp sponge.
    • Look at the test spot and determine if the product has removed the finish on your floor or left behind a stain. If the test spot is damaged, choose a different method of stain removal. [23]
  2. Apply the WD-40 directly to the stain. Allow the product to sit for 3 to 5 minutes. [24]
    • You may also spray some WD-40 onto a clean cloth and apply it to the stained area.
  3. Run a clean cloth under the tap or dip it in a small bucket of fresh water. Wring out the rag. Remove the WD-40 from the surface. [25]
    • If the stain remains, re-apply the WD-40. Allow it to sit for 5 to 7 minutes before wiping the surface with a damp rag.
  4. Spray the treated area with a stain remover. This will remove any greasy residue left behind by the WD-40. Wipe the area with a damp sponge or cloth. Once the stain remover is cleaned up, run over the area with a dry cloth to pick up any remaining moisture. [26]
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Method 7
Method 7 of 7:

Replacing the Stained Piece of Wood

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  1. Replacing a board is time consuming and a little tricky. Before embarking on the project, look into services in your area that would replace the board for you. After researching services, receiving quotes, and studying the process, decide if you will replace the board yourself or pay a handyman to do it. [27]
    • If the stain extends across several boards, individually replacing each board may not be worth the effort.
  2. Measure the depth of the board you are removing. Set your circular saw to cut 1/16 inch deeper than the measured depth of the board. [28]
    • The majority of hardwood floor boards are ¾ inch thick.
  3. Use the circular saw to cut 1 line down the length of the floorboard. Stop the saw before reaching the end of the damaged board. Move the saw over 1 inch and cut a second line down the length of the floorboard. Stop before you reach the end of the damaged floorboard. [29]
  4. Carefully score each end of the damaged board with a utility knife. Do not score the surrounding, undamaged boards. [30]
  5. Place the chisel in one of the score lines at a 30° angle. Tap a chisel along the scored line with a hammer. Repeat on the other scored line. [31]
  6. Insert a pry bar into the gap at one end of the damaged board. Push down on the pry bar to lift up the damaged board. Remove the damaged board with your hand. [32]
  7. Plug in a shop vac. Suction up any debris from the area.
    • You may also use a hand broom and dustpan to sweep up the debris. [33]
  8. Use a measuring tape to determine the width and length of the damaged board. Use these measurements to determine the size of the replacement board. Mark the length and width with a pencil on the replacement board. [34]
  9. Remove the bottom grooves from the replacement board. Cut the replacement board to the appropriate length and width. Use the pencil marks as your guide. [35]
  10. Tap the replacement board into place with a rubber mallet. Make sure the replacement board is flush with the floor. Use a nail gun to insert 1 finish nail into each end of the board.
  11. Use a putty knife to fill the nail holes with a small amount of wood putty. Once dry, sand the replacement board with 220-grit sandpaper along the grain. Clean up any dust with a damp rag. [36]
  12. Apply a matching stain to the replacement board with a rag. Remove any excess stain with a clean rag. Allow the stain to dry.
  13. Apply the first coat of varnish with a lambs wool applicator. Once dry, sand the area with 220-grit sandpaper. Remove any dust with a damp rag or shop vac.
    • Apply 3 coats of oil-based finish or 4 coats of water-based finish. Sand between each coat and clean up any dust.
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      Tips

      • If one method doesn't work then simply try a different one. Be sure to clean the area with water before trying a different method.
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      • It is always a good idea to test a product on a small, hidden area of your floor before applying it to the stain.
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      • After removing the stain, clean your floors with an appropriate hardwood floor cleaning product.
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      Warnings

      • Depending on how your wood is stained, isopropyl alcohol could cause further stains.
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      • Do not mix cleaning products. Thoroughly clean the area with water before applying a different solution. [37]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      2. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      3. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      4. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      5. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      6. ↑ Guy Peters. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
      7. ↑ Guy Peters. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 12 July 2021.
      8. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/remove-permanent-marker-from-any-surface-329961423
      9. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      1. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      2. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      3. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      4. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      5. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      6. ↑ http://www.stain-removal-101.com/how-to-remove-permanent-marker.html
      7. ↑ http://www.stain-removal-101.com/how-to-remove-permanent-marker.html
      8. ↑ http://www.stain-removal-101.com/how-to-remove-permanent-marker.html
      9. ↑ http://www.thriftyfun.com/Removing-Permanent-Marker-from-Wood-Furniture-1.html
      10. ↑ http://www.thriftyfun.com/Removing-Permanent-Marker-from-Wood-Furniture-1.html
      11. ↑ http://www.thriftyfun.com/Removing-Permanent-Marker-from-Wood-Furniture-1.html
      12. ↑ http://www.thriftyfun.com/Removing-Permanent-Marker-from-Wood-Furniture-1.html
      13. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      14. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      15. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      16. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      17. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/
      18. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      19. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      20. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      21. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      22. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      23. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      24. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      25. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      26. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      27. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/replace-sections-tongue-groove-hardwood-floor-18016597.php
      28. ↑ https://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-permanent-marker/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Discovering a permanent marker stain on your hardwood floor can be frustrating, but luckily, you can remove it with some simple household cleaners. Try using isopropyl alcohol to remove the stain. Pour 1 teaspoon onto a clean rag and run it over the stain for 3-5 minutes to loosen it. Then, scrub the area with a clean, wet rag to remove the marker. You can also use a paste made from 1 part baking soda and 1 part toothpaste to remove marker stains. Place some of the paste onto the floor, then scrub the area in circular motions with a rag until the stain disappears. Then, clean up the paste with a new rag and warm, soapy water. Another way to remove stains is with nail polish remover. Just pour a teaspoon of nail polish onto a clean rag and rub it onto the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes to loosen the stain, then wipe the area clean with a damp rag. To learn how to remove permanent marker stains with WD-40, read on!

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