Dry-erase markers can be removed from whiteboards and other non-porous surfaces like glass, mirrors, and metals. Wipe them off with wipes or a cloth, and you are all good!
However, it is a different story when dry-erase marker inks get into upholstery or porous surfaces like your fabric couch. The next thing you know, you have dry marker eraser stains all over your beautiful couch!
Fret not! We got you covered with the best hacks and tips on how to get dry erase marker out of a couch according to their fabric type. Keep reading!
Table of Contents
Quick and Easy Tips to Get Dry Erase Marker Out of a Couch
Tip #1: Rubbing Alcohol for Fabric and Leather Couches
Rubbing alcohol is one of the most accessible household products you can use as an initial remedy to diminish dry-erase marker pigments from furniture surfaces.
It is usable for fabric, including leather, microfiber, or a suede couch.
You may substitute it with cleaners containing alcohol, such as hair spray or hand sanitizer.
Things You Will Need
- Rubbing alcohol (70% to 90% isopropyl)
- Cotton pads
- A soft cloth
- A clean and dry cloth
- Step 1: Test the product first. It is best to test it for any color bleeding, white spots, or fading.
- Step 2: Use a cotton pad and apply rubbing alcohol. Then, rub it in a hidden spot on your couch. Wait for one to two hours for the results.
- Step 3: Dampen a cotton pad with alcohol and blot all over the stain. If you use a spray bottle, simply spray enough alcohol over the stains.
- Step 4: Use a soft cloth and go for a blotting motion to lift the stains. You do not need to cover extensive marker stains all at once. Much better if you start on small areas and in circular motions to eliminate the marker stains effectively.
- Step 5: Leave it to dry or use a dryer. If the stains are still visible, repeat the process.
- Step 6: For microfiber couches, use an old toothbrush or a soft brush and let it glide across the fibers to preserve your couch’s softness and silky texture.
For a leather couch, use a leather couch cleaner to maintain the shine and smoothness of the material.
Tip #2: Homemade Cleaning Solution for a Microfiber Couch
The best cleaning solution to remove dry-erase marker stains from any fabric furniture, especially a microfiber couch, is a mixture of distilled white vinegar, dish soap, and water.
The acidity of the vinegar creates a strong compound when mixed with dish soap. Moreover, distilled white vinegar is ideal for this mixture because of its 5% acetic acid content.
Things You Will Need
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dish soap
- Water
- A sponge
- A small tub or bucket
- A clean cloth
- Step 1: Fill a small bucket until the water is half full.
- Step 2: Take 3 tablespoons of dish soap and 2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Mix them into the water.
- Step 3: Take the sponge and soak it in the solution. Make sure to squeeze it gently to remove any excess.
- Step 4: Then, dab it all over the stains. Gently scrub it in to remove the marker stains thoroughly.
- Step 5: Let the solution sit on the marker stains for 20 to 30 minutes for the toughest stains.
- Step 6: Dampen the cloth with water to clean the couch and rinse any excess solution. Leave it to dry.
- Step 7: Repeat the process if necessary.
Tip #3: Use Magic Eraser for Quick and Easy Stain Removal
A magic eraser is primarily made up of melamine foam, a chemical compound that works against stains when dampened with water.
- It can eliminate stubborn stains of dry erase marker on couch
- The eraser can also work to get Expo marker out of couch exteriors that require quick cleaning.
- It has also been proven effective against permanent marker stains from wall surfaces and other concrete exteriors.
Keep in mind that Magic Eraser is abrasive and should only be used on durable fabric couches like polyester or microfiber. Do not use it on delicate fabric types.
Things You Will Need
- Magic Eraser
- Water
- A dry and clean cloth
- Step 1: Soak the Magic Eraser in the water. This amazing cleanser looks like a sponge and works properly when wet.
- Step 2: Scrub it in the marker stains. Do it gently across the stains to remove them thoroughly.
- Step 3: Use a dry and clean cloth to rinse off any excess water.
- Step 4: Repeat the process until the stains are not visible.
Tip #4: Try Murphy Oil Soap
Murphy Oil is a popular wood cleaner that amazingly cleans wood with its safe chemical formula. Moreover, it has also been proven effective against non-wood surfaces, including fabric couches like microfiber and leather.
Things You Will Need
- Murphy Oil soap
- Water
- Two soft cloths
- Step 1: Test the product first on an inconspicuous area of the couch for any discoloration or fading.
- Step 2: Dilute two (2) tablespoons of Murphy Oil soap into a cup of warm water.
- Step 3: Dampen a soft cloth with the mixture and dab it on the stained areas. Do this gently to pick up the stains effectively.
- Step 4: Dampen another soft cloth with water. Use it to wipe off any soap residues.
For a leather couch, you may use undiluted soap.
Tip #5: Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean and Remove Couch Stains
Hydrogen peroxide can be a stain remover for clothes and carpet fibers as well.
When mixed with dish soap, it can create a powerful hydrogen peroxide dry erase marker concoction that can deal with stains on upholstery furniture.
Can OxiClean remove dry-erase marker stains as well? Yes, it can because it contains powdered hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, if you do not have any hydrogen peroxide available, make a paste out of OxiClean and water.
Things You Will Need
- 3% Hydrogen peroxide
- Dish soap
- Spray bottle
- A soft cloth
- Step 1: Mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Put the solution in a spray bottle for easy application. Shake the solution until it gets foamy.
- Step 2: Spray enough solution on the stained area. Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Step 3: Use a dry and soft cloth to scrub the stain. Do this gently and in a circular motion until the stains disappear.
- Step 4: Dampen another soft cloth with water to wipe off any excess soap.
- Step 5: Allow the couch to dry.
Conclusion
When looking for ways on how to get dry erase marker out of a couch, the best solutions are usually just right around the corner of your home. The cleaning methods include common household products. Thus, removing messy marker stains is not quite difficult at all.
The ultimate trick is to test the products, blot the stains, and wipe them off stains gently. If you have sensitive skin, wear rubber gloves to keep abrasive cleaners away from skin.
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