Removing Permanent Marker From Wood

Permanent marker is designed to to stay on any surface. It should not wear off of surfaces, but it is possible, with care and prompt action, to remove permanent marker from most sealed surfaces. Wood, for example, is protected by a sealant that keeps the permanent maker's ink from sinking into the wood's pores, making it easier to remove.

Magic eraser

Try using a Mr. Clean magic eraser and a little elbow grease. Use the magic eraser according to the manufacturer's directions and scrub the affected area on the wooden surface. This often removes the ink from the surface straight away.

Gel toothpaste

Put a gel toothpaste on the lines drawn with the permanent marker. Trace the marker lines with a wide strip of toothpaste and allow the gel to sit on the stain for five to ten minutes. Then, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe both the toothpaste and the marker off of the surface. Repeat this process multiple times; the stain should get lighter each time. When the marker is no longer visible, wash the table with a quality furniture polish to remove any residual toothpaste to ensure that the surface is not sticky.

Deeper stains

If the wood was not properly sealed, or if there was a scratch or gouge that penetrated the wood's finish, the stain has likely seeped into the wood's pores and is thus much harder to remove. If this is the case, sand the surface of the wood until the permanent marker is no longer visible, then reseal the wooden surface with a stain and sealant that matches the original finish.

The important thing to remember when cleaning permanent marker from a wooden surface is to take care not to damage the wood. Scratching or otherwise damaging the wooden surface can degrade the value and overall appearance of the wooden piece. That caution aside, it is easy to remove permanent marker from wooden surfaces with a little effort and experimentation.