I need major help. I wrote with black and green permanent marker on a wooden table with varnish and I need to get it out. If I don't, my teacher will send me to the office and I will get in trouble. I can't remove the varnish either. Please help.
Underpressure682 from Cleveland, Ohio
Office white board was written on with a permanent marker. Now with Sensodyne toothpaste all is white again and the office smells nice and fresh too! (02/07/2006)
By Paz
Absolutely amazing! Took just a couple of minutes rubbing with the toothbrush and toothpaste on my kitchen oak table, my 18 month old granddaughter had scribbled on. Thank you for this advice. I am saving this site for other future mishaps and info. (02/09/2006)
By Susan (Guest Post
Yes after my fingers nearly fell off from rubbing the desk. Toothpaste did do the job. Thanks to everyone who posted. (06/02/2006)
By Kimberly T
I followed the suggestion to use Mr.Clean Magic Eraser on my new Thomasville cherry wood end table. It has a shiny finish. I did it in an inconspicuous spot. Glad I did, because with just a gentle rub of the eraser, the marker came right off and took the finish with it. So previous advice is true, it doesn't work on every type furniture. I'm going to try the toothpaste trick, sounds good! (06/10/2006)
By Nancy
Basic H by shaklee is a cleaner concentrate (organic/linear alcohol based) Full strength will remove paint, adhesive and permanent marker.....but if you use a dilution of 1-2 tablespoons per gallon (or even 1/2 teaspoon per 16 oz water) it will take it off the wood without damage. This only works if you have a varnish or treated wood! It is great for windows, dusting, bug repellent, dishes, delicate fabrics, floors (removes latex like NOTHING), and too many other uses to list. You can order it at www.shaklee.net/healthy_home101 located under Home Care/Cleaning (06/10/2006)
By Kelly
Thank you so much! My 3 year old literally covered my maple dining room table with black permanent marker. Toothpaste worked a miracle for the marker. (07/09/2006)
By Rebecca
I was using a permanent marker on one sheet of paper and it went through on my computer desk. I used arm and hammer toothpaste and it worked perfectly, and smells good too. Thank you so much for saving me. (07/11/2006)
Oh my goodness! Tooth paste really does work! A pen I was using leaked all over my moms kitchen table and it's a really light color. I put tooth paste on it, let it sit for about 2 minutes, then scrubbed it off. I repeated that 2 more times and the stain was totally gone! Thank you to whoever put that tip on here, you saved my life! (08/01/2006)
By Sara
The toothpaste did the job, lots of rubbing but it works. The finish is shinier, maybe I will rub the whole desk with toothpaste. (09/15/2006)
By Wolfman
My 5 year old says "thanks". The toothpaste worked wonders on the permanent marker stain he left on my wooden kitchen table. Afterward though, he exclaimed about the toothpaste, "you really use this on your teeth!" (09/17/2006)
By Gabe's Mom
My daughter got her hands on a black Sharpie and decided to practice her writing on a piece of paper placed directly over our brand new dining table. Of course, the marker bled through onto the table. I nearly had a coronary when I saw it, as I thought a Sharpie would NEVER EVER come off. I went online and found this site. I applied toothpaste (Crest Whitening), let it sit for 10 min. or so and then gently scrubbed with a sponge. I had to do some spots a couple of times, but it did the trick and everything came off. I was thrilled, amazed, grateful! (09/30/2006)
By Patty H.
Mr. Clean worked on fresh Sharpie! THANKS! (10/03/2006)
By Craig
Thank you for having this site. You are right, toothpaste will get permanent markers off wood. My granddaughter was writing on my desk and the marker went through the paper, I know there was two hundred blue dots on my desk top. Thanks again. (10/21/2006)
By Peggy Becker
Having just read through this post, it reminded me of the Magic Eraser that we had stored in the cupboard. It worked really well in removing the Black Permanent Marker from our computer TFT screen, which my 3 year old son had just decided to draw his latest masterpiece over.
Thanks (11/01/2006)
My 3 year old wrote in a Gold Sharpie permanent marker all over our wood table and chairs, our plasma tv, our regular tv and his toys! I came to this site and found that toothpaste was the answer! I used Mentadent whitening and it came right off! He even wrote on the metallic frame of the plasma and the toothpaste worked great without a lot of scrubbing. Thank you so much for this site! (11/22/2006)
By Laura
Toothpaste and elbow grease! Worked on new and set permanent marker stains. (12/06/2006)
By Caper Girl
While drawing a picture for our dog, my 9 year old daughter colored her picture filling in every space and bleeding through to my dream table that I just got not too long ago. As I browsed through websites, I found some similar stories to mine and in every one they used toothpaste and so I tried it. Just as sure, it worked. Thank god for the internet, toothpaste, and your similar experiences. (01/03/2007)
By jael ward
My two daughters were drawing pictures using blue permanent marker on my wooden bone colored dining room table. I looked on the net to see how I could get the stain out. Thank GOD someone said use toothpaste and to my surprise it all came off. (01/15/2007)
By Happy Lady
I read practically every post on this toothpaste removing permanent marker on wood tables, and, I've tried it and it's not working! I'm trying hair spray, and that's not working either. Someone said to try Basic H, but I don't have that kind of thing handy.
I suppose, it could be the desk. It's not *real* wood. I suppose it's more along the lines of a plastic wood? I'm thinking Goo Be Gone, but I doubt we have any.
So, if you have suggestions.
I took a picture of my desk. I washed off most of the marker with my mom's Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but the rest is being quite stubborn.
Thanks...
(b)Editor's Note:(/b) You could try some soft scrub, comet, baking soda or another bathroom cleaner. Try a little on a small place. (02/05/2007)
By desparation
Wonderful website. My two year old colored on my wood table and with a little bit of toothpaste and scrubbing, it came out. (02/23/2007)
By Daniel
My 2 year old son colored on his new wood table with permanent marker, I read everyone's comments and tried hair spray (the easiest to get to). It worked! Thank you. (03/11/2007)
By Teri in MD
My three year old was tracing letters with an "industrial strength" Sharpie. Of course, it went through onto our dining room table. I sat there and thought, surely this has happened to someone else! Thank goodness for internet. I tried hairspray first, and it didn't work, but the toothpaste worked great! We had to do it twice, but it's off now! YEA! THANK YOU! (04/14/2007)
By Sarah
I've heard that Coca-Cola will help take it off. I haven't tried it, but it's worth giving a try. (04/20/2007)
By Reese
My daughter was drawing with black permanent marker on my modern wood coffee table and of course it bled through the paper. I tried tooth paste "crest baking soda & peroxide" rubbed it in and wiped and it was gone-Awesome!!! (04/21/2007)
By van rae
My 2 year old decided to be an artist on my kitchen chairs and table with black permanent marker. I used the crest whitening toothpaste trick to get the permanent marker off of my kitchen chairs and stainless steel table top. Works great my husband was shocked at the results and so was I. (04/22/2007)
By Angie
The toothpaste trick TOTALLY worked! I'm thinking ANY whitening toothpaste would work. Thanks a million! (06/10/2007)
By FreakinOut
Hot pink sharpie on my parents custom made office desks (a lot of it), I used whitening toothpaste and it came off in seconds. Thank you! (06/17/2007)
By rel
My daughter accidentally colored with permanent marker on my brand new breakfast room table. I used a regular pencil eraser and it came right up! Thanks so much! (07/13/2007)
By D.Wolfe
The eraser trick worked like a charm, thanks. My daughter drew a flower on the wood coffee table, and my sister freaked til I read these. Thanks a million. (08/04/2007)
By Dknee
Ok, this one definitely works! I tried a regular pencil eraser. NO LUCK AT ALL. Try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Sponge. I just wet it and with a little pressure, the permanent marker came right off.
(09/21/2007)
By Jenny D
My daughter got dry erase marker all over our beautiful new cherry wood table and the pencil eraser trick worked great! (09/22/2007)
By Rebecca
We got it out with a magic eraser. It was a mess. (10/13/2007)
I used the toothpaste trick on my solid wood (light wood) at that and it worked! I just smeared it on for a second and then used a silicone safe sponge and scrubbed on it. It came off! I have even tried bleach and it didn't work! Thank god for the internet! I used Crest whitening with baking soda. Thanks for everyone's tips! (10/15/2007)
By Krista Rochester WA
The toothpaste worked great. Watch out for the Magic Eraser, we used that one time and it took the finish off our table. But the toothpaste worked wonders! (10/21/2007)
I accidentally got permanent marker on my uncle's table from not being careful enough, while writing on paper and it went through. Luckily enough the toothpaste trick worked with a scrubber brush and I was so relieved. (10/27/2007)
By charlotte
My daughter was drawing with permanent marker on paper on the wood dining room table and it bled through. Tried the eraser trick and it worked great! (10/27/2007)
By Raquel
Wow, I even used Tom's homeopathic whitening toothpaste and it took the sharpie right off my table. Thanks everyone! (11/04/2007)
By jm
I had no idea what was on my less than a year old table! It looked like something had sprayed on it and discolored it with green spots. Mild soap and water did nothing. The toothpaste did the trick! I later figured out it was paint from my child's plastic recorder that they had blown over the table, probably lead paint too! Thank you, thank you, it worked. (11/07/2007)
With a lot of effort toothpaste took black sharpie marker off my Grandmother's wood chairs! Thanks for the suggestion. (11/25/2007)
By Lauren
FANTASTIC! We have a beautiful bamboo table that my husband was writing on with permanent marker. (Duh!) Of course it bled through. I used Rembrandt toothpaste and the marker came right off with out damaging the finish!! I am sooooo happy.
Thank you all!
(12/07/2007)
By Cari
Used toothpaste (CREST whitening) for the same problem, Sharpie on my relatively new dining table. It came right off, but does leave it dull. I used furniture polish to make the table shine again. (12/19/2007)
By R
My 2 year old drew with fluorescent pink highlighter all over himself and the top of his dresser. I was very nervous about damaging the finish on the dresser while trying to get the highlighter off. But I was very surprised and pleased at how great just using regular Colgate toothpaste worked. All the highlighter came off as well as other scuffs and paint scuffs from his toys that had hit the dresser. It did not damage the finish at all. The dresser looks great! I would have never even thought of using toothpaste. Thanks for the advice! (01/01/2008)
By Amy
Blue Permanent Paint Marker on wood table, in the shape of large smiley faces (2 little girls), and left there for about a year. Using a bit from everyone, the crest toothpaste with some baking soda and a green scrub pad did the trick. I let it sit for about an hour then scrubbed, and once it became a "grit paste", it came off nicely. Two coats of Pledge brought the shine back. This was for an oak table, and not sure how it would work on a dark wood. (01/08/2008)
By Benny
My 5 yr old son used black and red permanent markers to color a small paper cut out on our dining room wooden table. Of course the table got "colored" as well. I was going to use toothpaste to try to remove it but was a bit leery (afraid it might damage our wood finish), so instead I thought to try gum eraser first. It did the trick! It was amazing! (02/01/2008)
By Delia
I would never have believed that toothpaste (orange Crest, better used for removing marker than brushing ones teeth) would work, but it did and beautifully! Removed black marker from an oak coffee table, put there by my three year old, without damaging the finish (which my husband was sure would happen). Really incredible! (02/07/2008)
By Tammi
I used Dettol disinfectant spray, and the marker came right off.
(02/08/2008)
By Man 1
I am totally shocked, but with my fingertip and Crest Total Health toothpaste, red permanent marker (drawn all over my wood floors by my 3 year old) came right up! Thanks everyone! I tried eraser first and that did work, but not all the way. It faded the spot and the toothpaste took the rest right up. (02/19/2008)
Thanks so much! Toothpaste actually worked! I accidentally got blue Sharpie on our good new dining table, and I tried EVERYTHING - white sprits, hairspray, bug spray...nothing worked. It's been two months and I was getting ready to call a furniture restorer for a quote on fixing it when I saw this thread and figured why not? A few dabs of White Glo and 60 seconds of scrubbing with a soft scrub and it was gone! The finish isn't even dulled!! (02/22/2008)
By Megan
Toothpaste works (fast too!) and the varnish did NOT come off! My son traced a picture he drew with a permanent marker and decided to color in parts of it. Of course, it soaked through and I had a fit! After hairspray didn't work, I ran to the internet, found this sight and used Colgate Total Advanced Care toothpaste. Yay! THANK YOU! (02/23/2008)
By Lisa
Had the same thing happen as most. My son decided to write a note with a blue sharpie on my oak table and let the marker stay on one spot so it was able to soak into the table really nicely...Sent him to his room & then used some colgate & a scrubbie pad and within a minute or two of scrubbing it was gone completely. Great tip! (02/26/2008)
By Sue
I first used toothpaste, and it worked a little but not as fast as I wanted, so I tried an SOS pad, with just a little scrubbing. The blank permanent marker came right off my wood table. (03/26/2008)
By Jamie
Yay, toothpaste worked for me! (04/12/2008)
My two kids were drawing on my kitchen table and the marker went through the paper and onto the table. Who makes marker nowadays that doesn't just wipe off, sheeesh! Thank you all for posting the tooth paste thing, cause baby it worked. Thank you! (05/07/2008)
By danielle
Amazing! This REALLY works! (05/26/2008)
I can't believe something that is common to have in a household took permanent marker right off! I almost freaked out when my 2 yr old decided to grab a blue marker and started drawing on my brand new wood table! I had food in my mouth when I saw it and almost choked! I found this thread and tried whatever toothpaste with a Doobie and Voila! It worked!! Thank you all so much! I was thinking that I was going to have to go place mat shopping soon! HAHA
Thanks Again!
Paula from Roselle, IL (06/05/2008)
By Paula
I got red marker off my computer desk, and I tried toothpaste and it worked. There are little white spots everywhere, but it worked. Thanks so much. (07/01/2008)
Thanks for tip! I tried everything to get pen off my solid wood table and nothing worked, until I tried toothpaste and it works, nice one thanks! (07/15/2008)
By sammy
Yes it works nicely. Who'd have thought Colgate (whitening) was good for more than plugging holes. Not to repeat what has been said, but after a few repeats, all blue permanent marker ink was removed from white birch kitchen table. Did make surface a little dull. (07/21/2008)
By TD.
I used Colgate on a wood toy chest that was covered with red and pink sharpie marker! It came out. My cousin referred me to research Google. GLAD I DID! (09/14/2008)
By worried mom from somers, ny
I used toothpaste, at 1st nothing happened. I got a little frustrated, tried again and used a lot of pushing and after about 10 seconds it was gone! Just remember for this to work you have to use some elbow power. :) Our kitchen table is a very pricey one and it still looks as good as new, no one would ever believe there used to be tons of tiny blue dots there. Yay for toothpaste. (09/21/2008)
By Melissa
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