How to Remove Magic Marker From Painted Canvas

Published: Nov 1, 2010
Updated: May 14, 2022
1 minute read

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cotton swabs
  • Paper towels
  • White cloth
  • Cold water
  • Whether you have painted artwork, a painted canvas bag, or something else made of canvas, it is almost inevitable that it will become stained. When that stain is a magic marker, you may think it is permanent. However, magic marker stains can be removed using the proper solution and the right cleaning procedure. The key to successfully removing magic marker from painted canvas is to work slowly so you do not smear the ink over a larger area.

    Dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol. Blot the tip of the swab on a paper towel to remove most of the moisture.

    Place the tip of the cotton swab directly on top of the magic marker stain on the painted canvas.

    Rub the cotton swab back and forth very lightly only on the marker stain. Do not move the cotton swab to other painted areas of the canvas.

    Discard the cotton swab, and blot the canvas gently with a white paper towel. Do not rub the canvas, since this can smear the marker.

    Examine the canvas to see if the marker stain is gone. If it remains, repeat Steps 1 through 4.

    Blot the area with a clean paper towel. Continue until the magic marker is gone.

    Kimberly Johnson

    Kimberly Johnson is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in various online publications including eHow, Suite101 and Examiner. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and began writing professionally in…

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