When your child draws on the walls with magic markers, you might get annoyed and stamp them down. But when that happens to your favorite fabric sofa, it can be quite a bummer! After all, nothing looks tackier than seeing permanent marker stains on your favorite piece of furniture. If you’re in the same situation as we were, don’t worry—here’s how to remove permanent markers from fabric sofas:
How To Remove Permanent Marker From Fabric Sofa?
Make a solution of bleach and water
Bleach is one of the few substances that can actually break down the chemical bonds of a permanent marker. To make a bleach solution, you’ll need one cup of bleach per gallon of water. Mix the bleach solution with water and pour the mixture over the stained area. Let the bleach sit on the stain for five minutes before rinsing it off with water. Repeat this process as many times as needed until the stain comes completely out. Before you bleach your furniture, make sure to test the bleach on an inconspicuous area first. Bleach has the potential to damage many fabrics, so be careful when applying it. You can bleach a small inconspicuous area such as the hem of your jeans or the inside of your wrist to test the bleach out first.
Rub with a wet toothbrush
Toothbrushes are one of the most versatile cleaning products you can have in your home. They are great for scrubbing everything from your counters to your grill. That’s why you’re going to use it to get rid of the permanent marker from your fabric sofa. Start by dipping the toothbrush in the water and scrubbing the stained area until the marker is gone. Rinse the toothbrush off with water and repeat until the stain is gone.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most common household items that can be used to remove permanent markers from fabric. Simply mix a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water in a bowl. Next, dip a clean cloth or paper towel in the hydrogen peroxide solution and dab it onto the marker stain. Let the cloth sit on the marker stain for approximately five minutes before rinsing it off with water. Repeat this process until the marker stain is gone.
Rub with Baking Soda
Baking soda is another common household item that can be used to remove permanent markers from fabric. Instead of mixing hydrogen peroxide and water solution, simply mix baking soda with water and rub the stained area with the mixture. Let the mixture sit on the marker stain for approximately five minutes before rinsing it off with water. Again, repeat this process until the marker stain is gone.
Use Ammonia and Vinegar
If you’d like to really get rid of that permanent marker from your sofa, you might want to consider using ammonia and vinegar. Before you go ahead and try this, however, make sure to test a small inconspicuous area on your fabric first. ammonia has a strong smell, so you don’t want to accidentally ruin your nice couch with it. To use ammonia and vinegar solution, mix one teaspoon of ammonia with one teaspoon of vinegar and pour the mixture over the marker stain. Let the mixture sit on the stain for approximately five minutes before rinsing it off with water. Repeat this process until the stain is gone. Note: Make sure to vent any open windows and open the door to your house while using ammonia and vinegar solution. You do not want any ammonia gas to accumulate inside the house.
What Is A Permanent Marker?
A permanent marker is permanent. That’s right, no matter how hard you try, you can’t take it off your skin. The only way to get rid of it is to take a nap or go to sleep. A permanent marker has the same chemical in it that’s in your skin, so when you rub it on your skin, it stays on like a mask. It’s super easy to apply and remove. You can also write with it without it smudging or leaving a mark behind.
Why Do You Get Permanent Marker Stains On Fabric Sofas?
Your Fabric Is Old
The fact that your fabric is old is probably the number one reason why you get permanent marker stains on your furniture. We are not talking about the type of fabric that is used in couches and curtains, but the type of fabric found in upholstered furniture. While this may not be the case with all of your furniture, it is likely to be the case with your sofa. If you are using cheap fabric that is not of the best quality, this will cause permanent marker stains to appear on it. What you also need to remember is that even if you are using quality fabric, if it is old you will still get permanent marker stains on it. This is because the market is likely to penetrate the fibers of the fabric and set it there, meaning that the stain will never come out. The best thing to do is to get a new piece of furniture so that you don’t have to deal with these stains again.
You’re Using The Wrong Markers
The next reason that you get permanent marker stains on your furniture is that you are using the wrong markers. If you select the wrong type of marker to use on your fabric, you will be guaranteed to get permanent marker stains on your furniture. The most common mistake that people make when using permanent markers is using an acrylic marker. These markers are not suitable if you want to prevent stains on your furniture as they will almost always leave a stain behind once they are set in place. If you want to use permanent markers, you need to make sure that you are using an alcohol marker. These markers are thicker than the others, which means that they can withstand the pressure from permanent markers and still be usable.
You Have Stained Clothing
If you have ever spilled a drink or other type of liquid on your fabric sofa, you will be very surprised to learn that this will cause permanent marker stains. If you have a sofa that has been stained by something as simple as a drink or spilled coffee, you are very likely to see permanent marker stains on it. You need to be careful here, because there are many types of markers that can penetrate fabric, including acrylic markers. The best thing to do is to call in a professional and have your sofa professionally cleaned. This will prevent permanent marker stains on your fabric.
You Have An Incompatible Surface
If you are using cheap or old fabric, it is likely to be penetrated by permanent markers. This is because the markers are thicker and more likely to penetrate into the fibers of the fabric and set there. If you are using old or cheap fabric, you need to make sure that you are using a thicker marker to prevent this from happening. There are many markers on the market that are specifically designed to be used on different types of fabric.
You Didn’t Notice Until It Was Too Late
If you are unaware of the issue with permanent marker stains, you are almost certainly going to see them on your furniture. You need to be very careful when using permanent markers on any fabric, especially if you have children or pets in your home. These markers are capable of penetrating through the fibers of the fabric, including those used in upholstered furniture. If you have pets or children, you need to make sure that you disinfect your surfaces after they have been exposed to permanent markers. This will prevent permanent marker stains from appearing on your furniture.
Conclusion
Furniture stains are annoying, but the permanent marker is one of the worst. Luckily, you can remove permanent marker stains from fabric sofas with ease. In this article, we have provided several tips for removing permanent markers from fabric sofas. So, if you have been dealt a permanent marker stain on your fabric sofa, follow these steps and you’ll be able to remove the stain in no time.
