How to Remove Marker from Plastic

Rhonda said, “I have a clock with a clear plastic face, marker is on a section of it and I ca,t get it off. HELP!!!! I have photos of before and after, if that’s helpful.”

Table of Contents:

Removing the Marker
Additional Tips and Advice
Sources

There are a lot of reasons that marker can end up where it isn’t wanted. Since so many items are made of plastic now, including some countertops, there is a good chance that the marked item may be plastic. Thankfully, there is also a variety of things that may work to remove it. Use the information in the steps below to remove the marker.

Removing the Marker

You Will Need:

Rubbing alcohol
Nail polish remover
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
Toothpaste
Hairspray
WD-40

Steps to Remove the Marker:

Soak a cloth or cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol and rub the marker off the plastic. Even if it takes several minutes, keep rubbing; the alcohol will return the marker to its liquid state so that it can be easily wiped away.¹
If rubbing alcohol does not work, try nail polish remover.²
A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can erase some types of marker.³
Toothpaste can also be effective for removing marker from some surfaces. Simply rub the toothpaste into the marker residue, then wipe it off.⁴
Spray the marker spot with the hairspray, let it sit on the stain for a minute, then wash it off with soap, rubbing the marker away as you clean.⁴
Spray some WD-40 onto the marker. Use a clean cloth to wipe off both the WD-40 and the marker.⁵