Permanent Marker Doesn't Stand A Chance Against A Favorite Household Staple

Accidentally using a permanent marker on your whiteboard may seem like an irreversible mistake, but with this versatile household product, you'll be able to restore that wipeable surface to its former glory in no time. By spraying WD-40 over the whiteboard and wiping it with a cloth or paper towel, the marker should come right off and your trusty dry-erase board will be as good as new. Further, the WD-40 shouldn't need time to sit to remove the marker, so this hack is both inexpensive and quick.

WD-40 can also be used to remove permanent marker from any plastic surface with the same method. If it doesn't come off right away, try reapplying and scrubbing the surface with your cloth. Whether it's an old label on a storage container or your kids having drawn all over their plastic toy bin or trash can, WD-40 will make sure that marker isn't really permanent.

If permanent marker has found its way onto your windows, mirrors, or glass dishes, don't fret. WD-40 is safe to use on glass, too, and, as was the case with your whiteboard, should easily lift the marker from the surface. Simply spray the multiuse product onto a clean cloth or paper towel and rub it over the marked-up spot(s) until the color is gone.

WD-40 can also be helpful in removing marker stains from fabric, including clothes and upholstered furniture, but it'll also sometimes cause stains because it's oily. If you need to remove marker from a delicate item of clothing, such as silk, it may be best to stay away from the WD-40 and enlist the help of a dry cleaner. For leather furniture or clothing, however, WD-40 will work wonders and shouldn't leave any stains behind. To clean permanent marker off fabric, try applying your WD-40 to a paper towel and gently dabbing at the marks.

While it's true that marker stains can be stubborn, with some WD-40, they don't have to be permanent. For example, WD-40 is also a great choice for getting permanent marker off metal and laminate furniture. To remove marker from metal, try applying the lubricant to the area and allowing it to sit. After a minute, wipe the area in circles with a damp rag until it smudges. Then you'll be able to wipe the marker off with a clean, dry paper towel or washcloth. If it doesn't all come off the first time, repeat the process and the stains should disappear.

For laminate furniture, spray WD-40 onto the permanent marker and gently rub it with a dry cloth. This should remove the marker and leave your dresser or table looking spotless once again. If the WD-40 doesn't do the trick, here's another simple hack to try: Draw over the permanent marker with a dry-erase marker and then wipe it off.