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Remove Permanent Marker Stains
by Steve Gillman
Description: Tips for removing permanent marker stains from carpet.
How do you remove permanent marker stains from carpet? Well, the bad news is that it's called "permanent" marker for a reason. Depending on how new and how deep the stains are, you may not be able to remove them completely.
You can almost always lighten stains, though, and sometimes make them unnoticible. There are other things you can do to hide the stain as well. Start with the method here to get out as much as you can.
First, thoroughly vacuum the area. This removes any loose dirt, dust or other substances that might give you trouble when you work on the stain.
For the carpet stain removal solvent, use rubbing alcohol or a non-oily hairspray. Use a small amount on a clean white cloth, and dab at the stain. You should see transfer of the stain to the cloth. Use another dry cloth to blot up the solution between applications.
Just apply the solution and blot it up several times. Then rinse the spot with clean water and blot that up. Finally, dry the area thoroughly.
Get Out The Remaining Stain
If you couldn't get it all out, and if the stain isn't too deep, it's time to cut out some carpet - just a little. Try snipping away the stained edges with small scissors or with a razor blade or exacto knife. Use tweezers to carefully pull out severely stained fibers.
When you try the latter, you might want to remove clean carpet strands from another, hidden area in the room, and then glue them into the stained area. Then leave a heavy object on the spot for several days before walking on it. That's how you remove permanent marker in all but the worst cases.
Steve Gillman has worked in the carpet cleaning industry for years. For more carpet-care information, and specific stain-by-stain removal instructions, visit http://www.HowToRemoveCarpetStains.com.
Reader comment: To remove permanent marker stains from carpet you might want
to try nail polish remover. It worked for me when my 11-month-old son got
hold of a king size sharpie permanent marker and scribbled all over my
1-yr-old light blue carpet. Step1 - pour nail polish remover directly on
the stain by the cap fulls. Step 2 - allow to sit for 2-5 minutes (stain
will begin to lighten, if it's black marker it will start to turn
purple). Step 3 - use a dampened carpet brush (not wet), if you don't have a carpet
brush use an old hair brush, and scrub stain...Tabitha
Reader comment: This worked great! I'm not sure if it was permanent marker
or not. It was one of those that comes with a kid's coloring book. But
my daughter got a little color happy and colored on my carpet. The
rubbing alcohol got it right out. Thanks for the tip!...Erin
Reader comment: My 3-year-old has a liking for coloring everything esp. the carpet and marked it up with a black "marks-a-lot" permanent marker. The rubbing alcohol got it right out!!!! THANK YOU...THAT WAS AWESOME!...Suzanne
