Home : Cleaning : Cleaner home tips : Permanent marker : Permanent marker pen off cupboard doors

Permanent marker pen off cupboard doors

Submitted by Helen

When my 2 year old drew all over my new, wood veneer, kitchen cupboards with permanent marker pen I thought we would be buying new door fronts. However, it came off with ethylated spirit and some rubbing. We tested it on a left over piece of wood first to make sure it didn't ruin the finish. We also applied it with toilet paper - on the theory that, as it is so absorbent, it would lift the pen rather than it being dissolved on the surface. 

No idea how important the toilet paper was but the cupboards are clean and there is no damage to them.

Visitors comments

Hair Spray Works Comments By: Leah on 2007-09-21 My daughter drew all over our Kitchen cabinets with permanent marker and hair spray took it right off. We sprayed it on and it literally melted the permanent marker away.   Removalof permanent marker Comments By: Rob Baldock on 2008-07-01 I have a whiteboard in my kitchen. I accidentally used a permanent marker instead of my usual dry wipe marker. Help! Nothing I tried (even the hairspray didn't touch it)removes any of it. How do I get it off?   nail varnish remover Comments By: scott muir on 2009-12-22 nail varnish remover and kitchen or toilet roll rub lightly and it comes off after few attempts   Surgical Spirit removes permanent marker stains Comments By: AndyT on 2009-12-24 Surgical spirit easily removes permanent marker stains with no damage to the surface.I used it on my unvarnished wood desk top. Use a kitchen tissue and minimum surgical spirit - that is all that is required. Wipe the gently until the stain has gone - literally seconds. Then wipe over with a clean tissue