My Kids Found a Sharpie — Here’s How I Got the Marker Off the Floor

I have a three-year-old and a five-year-old, which means coloring supplies are basically part of the furniture in our house. Crayons and washable markers are usually harmless. Most days, the mess stays on paper.

Then one afternoon, they found a Sharpie.

By the time I realized how quiet the house had gotten, there was permanent marker all over the floor. Not tiny little marks either. Full-on confident artwork stretching across the room like they had been working on a mural.

At first, I panicked a little. Soap and water did absolutely nothing. Scrubbing just made me tired and irritated, while the marker stayed exactly where it was. I honestly thought I might be staring at those marks forever.

So I started asking other parents what they used, and apparently, this happens more often than people admit. A lot of them had the same story: one unattended permanent marker and about ten minutes of silence.

Thankfully, there are a few things that actually help remove permanent marker without ruining the surface underneath.

Here are the methods people swear by for getting Sharpie off floors and other household surfaces.

Start With What You Have at Home

Before using anything harsh, try Dawn dish soap and warm water. This works best if the marker is fresh and on a sealed surface. It won’t always remove everything, but it’s a good first step.

Related: 17 Surprising Ways to Use Dawn Dish Soap

Alcohol-Based Products Work Well

Permanent marker ink breaks down with alcohol. These options are easy to find at home:

• Hand sanitizer
• Rubbing alcohol
• Denatured alcohol
• Non-aerosol hair spray

Put a small amount on a cloth or paper towel and gently blot or wipe the marker. You should see it start to lift. Always test a small spot first, especially on floors or finished surfaces.

Household Cleaners That Help

Some common cleaners can remove markers without damaging surfaces when used gently:

• Bon Ami powdered cleanser
• Soft Scrub
• Pink cleaning paste
• Magic eraser sponge

Magic erasers work well on floors, walls, and concrete, but use light pressure since they are mildly abrasive.

For Concrete, Stone, or Tough Surfaces

If the marker is on concrete, stone, or an unsealed surface, it can be harder to remove. These options can help:

• A wet pumice stone (very gentle pressure)
• Nail polish remover (acetone)
• A commercial graffiti remover

Test first and go slowly so you don’t damage the surface.

A Few Surprising Options

Some people have success with:

• Plain white toothpaste
• Shaving cream
• Writing over the marker with a dry-erase marker and wiping it off

These don’t work on every surface, but they’re worth trying if other methods fail.

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