Permanent marker stains can end up anywhere – even on your precious marble! Whether it is by accident or the kids made your marble countertop or flooring their favorite drawing board, the goal is to figure out the best way to remove ink from marble surfaces.
However, trying out different marble stain removal methods should be done with extra care. This beautiful natural stone has a porous surface prone to staining, scratches, and etching. Thus, abrasive cleaning is a no-no.
Fortunately, there are safe and effective techniques on how to remove permanent marker from marble.
Table of Contents
Ways to Remove Permanent Marker From Marble
Method 1: Use Diamond Polishing Pads
Diamond hand polishing pads or sanding pads are one of the best tools to get Sharpie off marble surfaces. You may use an electric polisher or a hand polishing pad.
Fortunately, a 500-grit or 800-grit coarse diamond polishing pad can get stain out of marble exteriors effectively.
Not to mention, these pads are specifically designed to eliminate stains from stone surfaces like Carrara marble or any marble countertops and floorings. You can easily find this polishing pad in a hardware store or in online shops.
However, it will require some elbow grease since you will be sanding vigorously until the marker stains disappear.
What to Prepare
- A 500 or 800-grit coarse diamond polishing pad
- Water
- Spray bottle or a small bowl
- A clean and dry cloth
Instructions:
- Step 1: Wet the stained surface and the diamond polishing pad with water. I prefer using a water spray bottle for fast application. Make sure that the stains of pen ink on marble tiles are completely wet.
- Step 2: Start sanding the surface using a diamond polishing pad. Use a 500-grit pad to remove stains from marble surfaces. You may opt for the 800-grit pad to get rid of permanent ink from tiles that are heavily stained.
Polish the surface vigorously in an upward and downward motion until the ink stains are gone.
- Step 3: Wipe the marble clean with a dry cloth.
- Step 4: If the stains are still visible, repeat the process or use a coarser diamond polishing pad.
Method 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol and Dish Soap
Rubbing alcohol is typically the go-to solution when erasing permanent marker stains on any surface.
Luckily, applying rubbing alcohol on marble stone surfaces is also an effective method to eradicate stubborn stains like permanent marker inks.
For this step, we are going to wash off ink residues with dish soap after applying rubbing alcohol. Besides marble, this is also an effective procedure to get Sharpie off quartz as well as to remove stains from faux marble.
If rubbing alcohol is unavailable, you may use acetone as an alternative option. The steps and results are the same.
What to Prepare:
- Rubbing alcohol (90% or 99%) or acetone
- Dish soap
- Nylon scrubbing pad
- Dry and clean cloth
- Paper towel
Instructions:
- Step 1: Apply enough rubbing alcohol directly to the stain and allow it to soak for a few seconds. Take note that as soon as you add rubbing alcohol, the permanent marker stain will start to smear.
- Step 2: Use a paper towel or a cloth to wipe the ink stains. Make sure to wipe it gently to prevent the ink stain from spreading even further.
- Step 3: When the stains have already faded, wet the surface and apply a generous amount of dish soap. Use a nylon pad to remove the ink marks thoroughly.
- Step 4: Wash the surface with water. Dry it with a clean cloth.
- Step 5: Repeat the process if necessary or until the permanent marker ink stains disappear.
Method 3: Use Hydrogen Peroxide & Baking Soda
When the basic stain removal techniques do not seem to work on permanent marker, proceed with this step. The poultice method requires a day or two to see the results.
A poultice is a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, forming a soft paste that you apply on the ink stain. Hydrogen peroxide on marble and granite helps lift the tough permanent marker ink stains.
Take note that hydrogen peroxide should be used on light marble only as it may cause discoloration on dark-colored marble.
Meanwhile, acetone on marble surfaces is also an excellent alternative to mix with baking soda, and is recommended for dark marble floorings or countertops.
However, the poultice method may cause slight etching or minor scratches on marble. In that case, buffing is recommended.
What to Prepare:
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen Peroxide or Acetone
- Plastic wrap
- Masking tape
- A small bowl
- A soft and clean white cloth
- Spoon or spatula
Instructions:
- Step 1: Add a little hydrogen peroxide to 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Stir it until it forms a thick paste. You may add more baking soda or hydrogen peroxide until you get a thick paste consistency but should not be runny.
If you are removing ink stains on dark-colored marble, use acetone instead of hydrogen peroxide.
- Step 2: Use a spatula or spoon to apply the poultice to the permanent marker stain for about ¼ or ½ inch thick layer. Make sure you have enough to cover all the stains.
- Step 3: Secure the poultice with a cling wrap or plastic wrap. Use masking tape to tape the edges.
- Step 4: Leave the poultice for 24 to 48 hours. This allows the poultice to lift the stains from the marble.
- Step 5: Take the plastic wrap and masking tape off the marble surface. Use a soft and clean white cloth to wipe the poultice clean away.
- Step 6: Wash the surface with water. Wipe it clean to remove any residues. Make sure to use a white cloth to avoid any color transfers to the marble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sharpie come off of marble?
Yes, it does. The aforementioned stain removal tips provide fast, easy, and efficient ways to get Sharpie or any permanent marker stains off of marble surfaces.
Are marble stains permanent?
No, they are not. They rarely do because of various marble stain removal methods that can get rid of permanent marker or dried ink stains completely.
Although it can be challenging to eradicate dried permanent marker stains, do know that there is a perfect cleaning procedure for every ink problem.
Is it safe to use vinegar to clean marble?
Unfortunately, it is not. Vinegar and any acidic products or citrus fruits should never be used on marble. Marble has a delicate surface, and any acidic products may break down the stone, resulting in long-term damage.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the best ways on how to remove permanent marker from marble are not as difficult as one might think. The steps mentioned above have been tried and tested to deliver effective cleaning tips without damaging your beautiful marble.
The key is to rule out the severity of ink stains and to try out methods from the basic techniques before you work your way to more aggressive procedures. Hope this helps!
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