3 Easy Ways on How to Remove Permanent Marker from Concrete?

Concrete plays a vital role in the construction industry, as it is widely used in building structures. Surprisingly, concrete can also be the canvas for people to express themselves creatively, especially for children.

However, I think that you wouldn’t want to buy layers and layers of concrete each time your toddler wants to draw, particularly if he or she is using a Sharpie.

So, in this article we will show you how to remove permanent marker from concrete. Thus, you have a better chance of reusing the concrete and saving money.

This article will introduce you to three ways to remove permanent markers on concrete:

In addition, some paper towels, damp rag, cloth, or something to wipe the surface off after everything is finished is necessary regardless of the method you choose. Furthermore, if you have a scrubbing brush at home, use it for better results.

You will also need a generous amount of water for mixing, if needed, as well as rinsing your concrete surface afterward. Additional materials will be written in each method below.

Best of all, some of these methods can be applied to get rid of permanent markers on various surfaces, such as tile floors, clothes, etc. Test them out and settle on one that works for you.

Now, let’s get started with this tutorial!

Always Test Your Technique In Advance

It is crucial that you test your detergent on a small part of the surface to see whether it’s working properly or not.

Test the method on an inconspicuous area by applying the product to the surface and waiting a couple minutes to see if it works. Remove the product immediately by using a paper towel or a damp cloth if the concrete starts to be damaged, such as spalling.

Keep trying to see what method works out best. Once your method has passed the test, begin cleaning your concrete!

3 Ways to Remove Permanent Marker from Concrete 

1. Use Baking Soda and Water

This is an easy way to t fix the problem of stubborn Sharpie stains as the ingredients are easy to find. You may also need a soft brush to apply the solution to the surface and a bucket to contain your mixture.

Step 1: Mix baking soda with water in a proportion of 1:1, and your effective cleaning agent is ready to use.

Step 2: Use a soft brush to apply the solution onto the affected area of the concrete, and let it sit for approximately five minutes.

Step 3: Scrub in a circular motion to get the permanent marker stains off.

Step 4: Wash the concrete surface with some clean warm water.

Step 5: Once all the steps are done, use a towel to wipe off any residue. Then, let the concrete air dry.

Step 6: Repeat the process if there are still persistent stains.

2. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

If the above method didn’t work well, we recommend using a stronger solvent: hydrogen peroxide with bleach and water. Don’t worry about getting access to these ingredients because hydrogen peroxide and bleach are easy to find.

You will need a container such as a bowl to mix the ingredients and contain the mixture. Also, the cotton ball is used to apply the solvent to the surface. Paper towels are essential to wipe off the residue afterward.

Make sure to test this mixture on a hidden area beforehand as it is quite powerful and can damage your floor.

Step 1: Rinse the surface with clean water to remove any dirt or debris.

Step 2: Mix hydrogen peroxide with bleach. Dilute the solution with water of however amount you wish (But, read the direction on the bottle carefully before mixing).

Step 3: Apply the solution to the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes.

Step 4: Wipe the mixture off with a damp rag or cloth.

Step 5: Repeat the process as many times as needed until no permanent marker is left on the floor.

Step 6: Rinse the surface with clean water and see to it that there are no remaining stains.

If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide ready at home, nail polish remover or multipurpose waterless mechanic’ hand cleaner can be great alternatives.

3. Use Oxygenated Cleaner

This method can be applied to a large area of the surface, such as your driveway at home. It is a good and quick option if you are in a hurry.

First of all, you may need a water hose, some liquid dish soap, a scrubbing brush (preferably with stiff nylon bristles), a bucket, bleach, and of course, oxygenated cleaner.

Just like the previous method, test your cleaner on an inconspicuous area to ensure that the product is not too powerful for your concrete.

Step 1: Use your water hose to spray down the area that is covered with permanent marker stains. Shower the solution from a powdered oxygenated cleaner onto the marker marks and let it sit for one hour.

Step 2: Contain the soap water in the bucket you’ve prepared. Then, dip the scrub brush into the bucket and use it to rub it against the marker stains on the surface.

Step 3: Rinse the area thoroughly and wipe off the remaining product with a clean cloth.

Step 4: If there are any remaining marks, use bleach to cover the ink stain. Wait for approximately 30 minutes. After that, scrub the surface again with soapy water and rinse it.

Conclusion

As you can see, your problem can be tackled easily if it is approached with the right technique. I hope that by applying these methods, you and your toddler can creatively express yourselves without worrying too much about marker stains.

I hope you have found the best way to clean permanent markers from concrete. Which method did you choose and what is the outcome? Feel free to share this article on how to remove permanent marker from concrete with your family and friends as well.

Robert S. Brown

I am a former art teacher, so it is evident to me the importance of art in educating the new generation. We also want to help parents who plan to teach their children and desire the best tools and tips for them.