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How to Get Dry Erase Marker Out of Carpet: 5 Amazing Methods!

Written by Robert S. Brown / Fact checked by Helen B. Harris

how to get dry erase marker out of carpet

Are you worried that you might ruin your colorful carpet if you clean off the dry-erase ink after you accidentally drop your marker? Read the tips that I’m about to share on how to get dry erase marker out of carpet.

Before we begin, let me quickly inform you that cleaning a stained carpet is not always easy. Soap and water do not work while using bleach can stain your carpet. However, it is not impossible. You’ll be surprised by what household products like vinegar, baking soda, alcohol, or hairspray can do.

What You Need

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Rubbing alcohol and hair spray

Rubbing alcohol can remove different kinds of ink stains, including dry-erase marker ink on the carpet! I’m sure that you have a bottle of rubbing alcohol somewhere in your house or office. If you’re going for this method, you will also need a non-oil-based hair spray to complete the job. Be sure to have a paper towel or rag alongside your rubbing alcohol and hairspray.

White vinegar and baking soda

White vinegar and baking soda are excellent household cleaning supplies. I’m sure most of you have these products at home. Moreover, you will need a cloth, vacuum cleaner, and toothbrush. Although this method is effective, it takes more time. Besides that, brushing too roughly can damage the fibers of your carpet. Therefore, you must be careful.

Hydrogen peroxide

Apart from personal hygiene, hydrogen peroxide comes in handy for all sorts of cleaning. This oxygen-based cleaner effectively removes stains. To get started, you need to prepare water, a white rag or paper towel, as well as a large towel. On that note, let me remind you to use this with caution as it can bleach certain types of carpets.

Other household cleaning products

Spot removers are available in online and physical retail stores. These cleaning products work on rugs, carpets, fabric, and upholstery. So it’s good to have one at home. That said, you need to wear a pair of gloves and a mask when you clean with a spot remover as it may irritate your skin.

Another option is dry-cleaning solvent. Depending on how big the stain is, you can use a cotton ball, swab, or cloth to clean the ink. In addition to that, you also need a wet sponge to rinse off the solvent.

Regardless of whether you use a spot remover or dry-cleaning solvent, get your vacuum ready to finish off the job.

Instructions

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Using rubbing alcohol and hair spray

  1. Gather all the cleaning supplies. This includes rubbing alcohol (isopropyl), non-oil-based hair spray, and a clean rag or paper towel.
  2. Spray or pour alcohol onto the stain, then blot the area using a paper towel or rag. Refrain from rubbing the alcohol as it may spread the ink instead of removing it.
  3. After blotting the affected area entirely, get the hair spray and spray it on the remnants of the ink. Allow it to saturate for 15 minutes.
  4. Continue blotting the area with paper towels. As you do this, you will notice that the ink disappears. This article from Best Cordless Vacuum Guide suggests that you may have to do it several times.

Using vinegar and baking soda

  1. Prepare the vinegar, baking soda, cloth, old or spare toothbrush, and vacuum cleaner.
  2. Pour the vinegar directly onto the ink stain and allow the carpet to absorb it to the bottom fibers. Home Stratosphere recommends applying a generous amount of vinegar.
  3. Using a cloth, blot the vinegar on the affected area. Then, sprinkle the baking soda evenly over the top.
  4. Now that the carpet is soaked in vinegar and baking soda, use a toothbrush or sponge to gently work the baking soda.
  5. Leave the carpet to dry for one to two hours. When you come back, you will notice that the ink is completely gone.
  6. Remove the baking soda residue from the carpet using a vacuum cleaner. Then, finish off by dabbing the cleaned area with cold water.

Tip: When using the toothbrush or sponge, refrain from rubbing the stain roughly as this may ruin the carpet’s fibers.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

  1. Because hydrogen peroxide can potentially bleach certain types of carpets, test it by applying a small amount on the corner of the surface. If you don’t detect discoloration, you can proceed by spraying or pouring a small quantity of hydrogen peroxide on the stain.
  2. Blot the area using a paper towel or a rag. Spread the hydrogen peroxide evenly on the dry-erase ink stain. Home Stratosphere says it is normal for this chemical to fizzle.
  3. Using a big towel, cover the area and wait for about 45 minutes to an hour.
  4. When you remove the towel, you will notice that the ink stain has been isolated from the carpet fibers. Soak it with cold water then blot it again using a paper towel or white rag.

Tip: Take note that hydrogen peroxide is sensitive to UV rays or light. Prolonged exposure to gleam will cause the composition to break down, which will make it ineffective. You can pour the quantity that you need to clean the carpet onto a spray bottle.

Using spot remover

  1. Be sure to put on gloves and a mask before you start working. Prior to opening the bottle of spot remover, make sure to read the instructions on the label.
  2. Test the spot remover on a hidden area of the carpet before you start applying it.
  3. Apply the spot remover onto the dry-erase ink as instructed. How much you need to apply will depend on how big the stain is and the manufacturer’s recommendation.
  4. Upgraded Home recommends vacuuming the area once dried.

Tip: Just like your carpets, not all spot removers are created equal. Take the time to test the spot remover on a hidden area of a carpet before you apply it.

Using a dry-cleaning solvent

  1. For small stains, you can use a cotton ball or a swab to apply the dry-cleaning solvent.
  2. As for sizable blemishes, you can dip a cloth into the solvent then use it to blot the affected area. According to Upgraded Home, you can soak the fabric in the solvent again and continue blotting until the marker ink is gone.
  3. With a wet sponge, rinse the cleaned area thoroughly. Let it dry, then vacuum it.

Conclusion

Looking at the options above, which approach would you go for? Hiring a professional carpet cleaning service is an option. In extreme cases where cleaning is impossible, you may need to get a professional to do the job.

However, when it comes to trivial dry-erase ink stains, you can resolve the issue by yourself and save money. If you managed to remove the ink using the methods above, please let me know in the comments. You can check other markers for shrinky dinks reviews. I’m sure that you’ll find many markers and art supplies that would recommend the same or similar brands. I would also appreciate it if you share this article with anyone who may need help with cleaning their carpets!

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