Permanent Marker & Crayon Removal by Surface
Sharpie, Crayola, GE, Toddlekind and WIA publish separate marker/crayon removal methods by surface, checked 2026-09-30.
painted walls, scrubbable/vinyl/silk wallpaper, PVC or EVA foam play mats, and appliance exteriors (stainless steel, painted, plastic)
- Source
- Sharpie (Newell Brands) · Crayola · Toddlekind +1
What method removes permanent marker, crayon and colored-pencil marks from walls, wallpaper, play mats and appliance surfaces, and what does each surface's own maker or trade body say not to use?
| Surface | Soil | Method | Don'ts | Product | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| hard, non-porous wall surface (painted drywall, laminate) | permanent marker (Sharpie ink) | Wipe the mark with a cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol or a non-flammable dry-cleaning solvent (Carbona, Energine or Goof Off); test on a hidden spot first, then wipe from the outer edge of the mark toward the center. | ironing or heat-setting the marked area; using on silk or wool without testing first | AMODEX Ink & Stain Remover | Sharpie (Newell Brands) |
| painted wall | regular (wax) crayon | Spray the mark with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe with paper towels; if color remains, work a sponge dampened with warm water and liquid dish soap over the mark in a circular motion, rinse, dry with paper towels and repeat as needed. | - | - | Crayola |
| scrubbable wallpaper | regular crayon | Spray the mark with all-purpose cleaner and wipe with paper towels; if the stain persists, work a sponge dampened with warm water and liquid dish soap in a circular motion, dry with paper towels and repeat; if color remains, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser per its own label directions. | - | Mr. Clean Magic Eraser | Crayola |
| vinyl wallcovering | permanent marker | Wipe with a rag and soapy water while the mark is fresh; if it remains, spread a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water on the mark, rub gently and rinse with a clean rag and plain water; a Magic Eraser dampened with water and wrung out may be rubbed gently on the mark; a thin coat of toothpaste rubbed on with a finger and wiped off with a clean damp rag is a further option; rubbing alcohol on a dampened rag, wiped over the mark and followed by a plain-water wipe-down, is listed as the last-resort option. | using rubbing alcohol as a first option, since it may fade or discolor the wallcovering; skipping a test on an inconspicuous area first | Mr. Clean Magic Eraser | Wallcovering Installers Association (WIA) |
| PVC/EVA foam play mat | crayon and colored-pencil marks | Wipe the mat with a damp, clean soft cloth and a gentle soap, working over the mark by hand, then dry the mat completely before further use; wipe up any spill immediately with a dry cloth. | abrasive detergents, harsh or abrasive cleaners, bleach, chemical sprays, and soaking or submerging the mat | - | Toddlekind |
| stainless steel appliance exterior | permanent marker | Clean with a stainless-steel cleaning product such as Cerama Bryte per its label directions, or with a mild dish-soap-and-water solution for daily care; for heavier soil, rub on a paste of baking soda and water with a soft cloth. | appliance wax, polish, bleach, steel wool, other abrasives, ammonia, acids, commercial oven cleaners, and cleaners containing alcohol or mineral spirits | Cerama Bryte stainless steel appliance cleaner | GE Appliances |
| painted or plastic appliance surface (non-stainless) | washable or dry-erase marker | Wipe the stain with a damp sponge; if it remains, apply an all-purpose cleaner with a damp sponge, work in a circular motion and rinse; if the stain persists, saturate a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol, blot the remaining stain and rinse. | - | - | Crayola |
FAQs
Does Sharpie recommend rubbing alcohol or acetone to remove permanent marker?
Sharpie's own help page names rubbing alcohol or a non-flammable dry-cleaning solvent (Carbona, Energine or Goof Off), or AMODEX Ink & Stain Remover, for permanent marker on hard surfaces; it separately names rubbing alcohol or acetone only for its own oil-based paint markers on fabric, to be tested on a hidden spot first.
How should crayon and colored-pencil marks on a play mat be cleaned?
Toddlekind's care page for its PVC/EVA foam play mats states to wipe the mark with a damp, clean soft cloth and a gentle soap, then dry the mat completely, and to avoid abrasive or harsh cleaners, bleach, chemical sprays, and soaking the mat.
How does GE say to remove marker from a stainless-steel refrigerator or appliance?
GE's official cleaning page names Cerama Bryte stainless steel appliance cleaner or a mild dish-soap-and-water solution, with a baking-soda-and-water paste for heavier soil, and lists wax, polish, bleach, steel wool, other abrasives, ammonia, acids, oven cleaners and alcohol- or mineral-spirit-based cleaners as products not to use.
Resources
- Sharpie (Newell Brands) - How do I remove a permanent marker stain?
- Crayola - Regular Crayons on Painted Walls
- Crayola - Regular Crayons on Scrubbable Wallpaper
- Crayola - Washable Dry Erase Markers on Appliance
- Wallcovering Installers Association - Tips for Removing Marker Stains from Wallcoverings
- GE Appliances - How to Clean Stainless Steel
- Toddlekind - How to care for your playmat