Tried And True Ways To Clean Sharpie Off Of Glass

However you wind up with marks in inconvenient places — whether it's a child's masterpiece on a window or labeled glass jars — Sharpies aren't truly permanent on glass. Despite their reputation, Sharpie marks on glass don't last forever. Only in the most extreme cases do you need to steel yourself for the least favorite phrase in cleaning, "all it takes is a little elbow grease." Household solvents and specialty sponges generally do the trick, especially if you tackle the chore sooner rather than later.

Glass's nonporous surface makes it the easiest material to remove Sharpie marks from because the ink can't penetrate beneath the surface. If it's still damp, you can wipe it off with a paper towel or soft cloth. Once the ink dries, there are several methods you can try using items you likely already have in your kitchen or workshop. Keep in mind that some glass is coated, and you don't want to use a product that will damage that finish. If you're unsure about whether or not the glass is coated, test an out-of-the-way spot with a few dabs of whatever cleaner you intend to use. If the glass remains clear and nothing is peeling off the surface, you're good to go. Don't combine certain cleaning products in your search for the ideal glass cleaner. Some combinations, such as rubbing alcohol and bleach, can form toxic compounds. 

If wiping the marker off the glass with a paper towel doesn't work, a magic eraser is safe for glass and may be all you need. If you still have marks, try applying rubbing alcohol, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then cleaning it as you normally would with glass cleaner. Rubbing alcohol is a window cleaner with added benefits, like leaving glass free of streaks. It's not a bad idea to keep packaged alcohol swabs on hand; they're a no-mess way to apply alcohol.

The same process works with a mixture of one part dish detergent and one part distilled white vinegar, dabbed on the mark, left to sit, and wiped clean. Acetone – the ingredient in nail polish remover that gives it its distinctive smell — will also work. Dampen a paper towel and use it to wipe the glass clean, but test the glass first. Acetone is a strong solvent, so caution is important.

Hairspray and hand sanitizer applied to the mark and allowed to soak for several minutes may work, but for difficult Sharpie marks, grab another dry-erase marker and trace over the spots you want to clean. You should then be able to wipe the area clean. If all else fails, use a razor blade to gently scrape the marks off, but don't use the kind of double-edged blade that comes with a safety razor. Instead, use single-edge scraper blades that have a safety shield on one side.