Have you got a marked plastic material and now wish to know how to remove Sharpie from plastic? It can be frustrating to have this pen’s marks on your plastic. No amount of washing seems to take it off! So how can you get the Sharpie marks off plastic?
When removing Sharpie from plastic, the main idea is to apply alcohol on the spot to dissolve the stains. Dip a cotton ball into the alcohol and apply it to the affected area until the marking becomes liquid. Afterward, wipe it off with a moist cloth and wash the plastic as usual. Finally, dry after washing with a clean towel.
In this post, I’ll end the frustration you feel from having Sharpie marks on your plastic. You don’t want to miss out on these exciting processes, so stick with me to the end.
My Quick Overview (30 Sec)
- Getting Sharpie, or permanent marker, ink on anything unintentionally can seem like a nightmare. But it’s possible to remove Sharpie from many surfaces, including plastic.
- The best approach is to apply rubbing alcohol until the ink wipes off and to wash the plastic surface afterward.
- But there are numerous other agents and solutions you could try. These include vinegar, acetone, toothpaste, hairspray, peroxide, WD-40, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, bug spray, and multi-purpose cleaning agents.
What Is A Sharpie?
A Sharpie is a brand of permanent marker from Sanford, L.P., of Oak Brook, Illinois. Sharpie markers are made from propanol, butanol, diacetone alcohol, and other dyes. Each hue of a Sharpie marker represents a different dye.
These markers may be used on various surfaces because of the ink’s durability and permanence. No matter the task at hand, a Sharpie will do the trick, whether you need an art pen or a sketching pen.
You can’t wash the ink out with a sponge as they are permanent. It’s pretty impossible to get it off plastic, but there are ways around it.
How To Remove Sharpie From Plastic
There are different approaches to take when wiping off Sharpie. However, there is one that is certain to work without much trouble. Here’s how:
1. Get The Household Items Needed
You will need some rubbing alcohol, a damp cloth, a dry cloth, a cotton ball, and a little liquid soap. Get your items ready before you proceed.
2. Mix And Apply
A cotton ball doused in rubbing alcohol can do the trick. Then, use it to gently massage the plastic’s surface. Alcohol will dissolve the stains and transform them back into a liquid. Once this occurs, the marking will disappear.
3. Follow Final Precautions
Keep the rubbing alcohol covered while it’s not in use. When this is spilled, the results can be catastrophic. It may deteriorate things, make a place smell bad, and waste a good bottle of stain remover.
If you wait until the markings become liquid, you may remove them with a moist towel. They need to be easily removed. The cotton ball should then be used once more as a precaution. Lastly, wipe the plastic dry after washing it with soapy water.
Other Methods for Removing Sharpie From Plastic
You won’t have a problem removing Sharpie from plastic. If you don’t have the materials mentioned above, you can try other solutions to eliminate the stain. Some of these solutions include:
1. Vinegar
Vinegar may be used to clean and remove stains. You can use it alone or in combination with baking soda for stubborn stains. It may be used in the same way as isopropyl alcohol. Due to its reduced potency, it may need some time to fully penetrate the stain.
2. Acetone
Acetone is effective in removing nail polish as well as other substances. It’s more potent than regular alcohol, so it works well on tough stains. However, you shouldn’t use acetone to avoid complications if you have kids or pets.
3. Toothpaste
Toothpaste and baking soda can erase Sharpie stains from most surfaces. The stain should be scrubbed with baking soda or toothpaste before using it as you would with rubbing alcohol. Then, scrub it well to remove any traces of grime from the plastic.
4. Hairspray
Hairspray is an excellent choice. Still, be careful not to get any in your lungs, and avoid spraying in the direction of your face. Marker streaks adhere to the chemicals in hairspray and may be easily removed upon washing.
5. Peroxide
Before anything, remember that large doses of hydrogen peroxide, or peroxide, are dangerous. If you can keep it out of the hands of youngsters, you won’t have any issues. It performs similarly to watered-down rubbing alcohol.
6. WD-40
The oil in WD-40 can remove a mark made with a Sharpie marker. A little of this oil is more than enough to remove any potential stain. Unfortunately, you’ll have yet another mess to clean up afterward, but at least WD-40 won’t leave a mark on the plastic.
7. Any Other Cleaning Agent
Cleaning agents, in general, are antidotes to permanent markers. One of the most effective tools for this purpose is hand sanitizer. Its gel component may also be more user-friendly than rubbing alcohol in its liquid form.
Also, sunscreen lotions, in particular, may do wonders. Bug sprays are a good alternative if you don’t have anything else handy. It’s equally risk-free for skin application as sunscreen.
Conclusion
I’m sure you’ve had a great time discovering the different ways to get stain-free plastic. Now that you know how to get Sharpie out of plastic, there’s nothing to worry about.