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How to Remove Pen Marks From Walls? – 5 Methods

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

how to remove pen marks from walls

Pen marks on walls are a normal scene when you have a budding artist or little children at home. You may have mixed emotions, but at the back of your mind, you know it’s a mess you have to deal with.

Relax! We got you. In this article, we will give you the most straightforward ways how to remove pen marks from walls using items you already have at home.

Ways to Remove Pen Marks From Walls

Method 1. Solvent 

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Using solvents like alcohol is one of the most effective ways to remove pen ink from the wall. This is because pen ink is basically made with alcohol-based solvents, and putting alcohol over it simply dilutes the ink, making it easier to remove from any surface.

What To Prepare

  • Rubbing alcohol with at least 70% concentration
  • Waste cloth or a towel

Detailed Steps

  1. Fold the towel and pour enough alcohol into the towel, do not soak it.
  2. Pat the wet towel on the affected area to get rid of pen marks. Refrain from getting tempted to rub it, as it will not make your job any easier, and it will only scatter the ink or remove the paint.
  3. If you are removing a thick ink, you should fold the towel back and reapply the alcohol and tap again until all the ink is removed.

Note:

  • This method can be used to remove sketch pen marks as well.
  • Alternatively, you can get pen marks off the wall with hairspray, as this product also contains enough alcohol.

Method 2. Magic eraser 

remove-pen-ink-from-wall

Another way is to use a melamine foam, also known as the magic eraser. The magic eraser removes pen marks from the wall with its fine grit. It not only rubs off unwanted stains but also absorbs them effectively.

What To Prepare

  • Magic eraser/melamine foam
  • A bowl of water

Detailed Steps

  1. Slightly wet the magic eraser with water. Squeeze the excess
  2. Rub gently on the pen marks until it fades.
  3. Depending on the severity, you will need to use some elbow grease to rub it off but do not push too much, as you might get the paint off too.

Note:

  • This method can also be used to remove pencil and crayon marks from walls.

Method 3. Toothpaste 

get-pen-off-the-wall

If you want to remove ink from a painted surface without removing paint, getting pen marks off walls with toothpaste could be the safest method. Toothpaste contains hydrated silica, a mild abrasive that can help lift the ink from the surface.

What To Prepare

  • White toothpaste
  • Warm water
  • Toothbrush
  • Waste cloth or a towel

Detailed Steps

  1. Pre-clean the surface with a wet towel.
  2. Put a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush and wet it using warm water.
  3. Brush the pen marks until it’s completely gone. If it has been on the wall for some time, you might need more effort to scrub the stains away.
  4. Repeat the process if needed.
  5. Wipe and clean the excess toothpaste using a fresh towel.

Note:

  • You can erase ink on a tile with this method. If it doesn’t work, add baking soda on the spot. Please wait for a few seconds before you brush it again.

Method 4. Vinegar 

remove-pencil-and-crayon-marks-from-walls

Vinegar is a good alternative to acid cleaner. This agent is acidic in nature to help break down ink marks. This method does not only remove ballpoint pen ink but can also serve as a natural disinfectant.

What To Prepare 

  • White vinegar
  • Small bowl
  • Waste cloth or a towel

Easy Steps

  1. Pour a small amount of vinegar into the bowl.
  2. Dip the towel in the vinegar.
  3. Scrub lightly to remove ink from walls.

Method 5. Baking Soda 

without-removing-paint

There are a few other things you can make use of baking soda other than baking. You can make your cleaning solution for removing pen marks from walls and kitchen cleaning. This thing is not only clean but can also serve as a natural deodorizer.

What To Prepare 

  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Spoon or a popsicle stick
  • Sponge

Detailed Steps

  1. Fill about half of the mixing bowl with baking soda.
  2. Add a small amount of water, just enough to make a paste-like consistency.
  3. Mix it with a spoon or a popsicle stick.
  4. Place a small amount of the mixture into the sponge.
  5. Wipe the sponge with the baking soda mixture on the stain until you get the pen marks off the wall.

Related Guide You May Also Like

Mom Tips

removing-pen-from-walls

  • Safety first! Always choose safe cleaning tools and wear protective gear like gloves, masks, and goggles.
  • If your kids are around the age that can handle small chores, get them involved in cleaning. Not necessarily the hard part, but the goal is to make them aware of what they made and their consequences.
  • Cleaning fresh pen marks is a lot easier. Remove pen and pencil marks as soon as possible, and do not let them stay on the wall for too long.
  • When working with solvents like alcohol, open the doors and windows to avoid suffocation.
  • Before using any method, test it in a conspicuous area to confirm if it’s safe for your painted walls.

Conclusion

Life with kids can be stressful sometimes but don’t let one pen mark ruin your day or your relationship with your kids.

Getting pen marks off the wall is simple. The cleaning tools we listed here are easy to find.

Using the alcohol method could be the most straightforward way to get the job done, and if it doesn’t work, you still have 4 more ways to try.

Save these 5 simple ways on how to remove pen marks from walls and who knows when you might need them again. When this happens, you know what to do.

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