NerdClean

How to Get Sharpie and Permanent Marker Out of Clothes

Updated June 2026

The short answer

Sharpie and permanent marker stains usually need rubbing alcohol. Water alone will not do much, and scrubbing can make the stain spread. Place a clean white towel behind the stain, then blot with 70–91% isopropyl alcohol. The towel underneath catches the ink as it releases from the fabric. Keep moving to a clean part of the towel so the clothing does not reabsorb the marker. Test rubbing alcohol on a hidden area first, especially on dark, bright, delicate, or synthetic fabrics. Do not put the clothing in the dryer until the stain is gone or as light as you can get it.

Before you start

You need:

  • Rubbing alcohol, ideally 70–91% isopropyl alcohol
  • Several clean white cloths or paper towels
  • Cold water
  • Laundry detergent

Check the care label first. If the item is dry-clean only, silk, wool, acetate, triacetate, or another delicate fabric, do not start with rubbing alcohol. Permanent marker removal depends on a solvent, and solvents can damage some fibers, finishes, and dyes.

Before treating the visible stain, test rubbing alcohol on a hidden area such as an inside seam or inner hem. Dampen a white cloth with alcohol, press it against the fabric for a few seconds, and check whether color transfers. If dye lifts, stop and use a professional cleaner instead.

If the stain is on a shirt, pants, sleeve, pocket, or thin fabric layer, place a towel behind the stain before applying alcohol. Permanent marker can bleed through to the other side of the garment if there is nothing underneath to absorb it.

Steps

  1. 1Blot first if the marker is fresh. Press a clean white cloth against the stain and lift straight up. Do not rub.
  1. 2Put a clean towel behind the stain. Lay the stained area flat with a white cloth or paper towel underneath. This catches ink as it releases from the fabric.
  1. 3Apply rubbing alcohol in small amounts. Dampen a clean white cloth with rubbing alcohol. Do not pour alcohol directly through the stain.
  1. 4Blot the stain. Press the alcohol-dampened cloth onto the marker stain, then lift. You should see ink transfer onto the cloth or the towel underneath.
  1. 5Move the towel often. As the backing towel picks up ink, shift to a clean area or replace it. If you keep blotting into an inky towel, the fabric can reabsorb the marker.
  1. 6Repeat until the stain stops transferring. Work slowly in small sections. Permanent marker can take several rounds.
  1. 7Rinse with cold water. Rinse from the back of the stain when possible to push loosened ink out of the fabric.
  1. 8Wash according to the care label. Use your normal laundry detergent and a cold or cool cycle unless the care label says otherwise.
  1. 9Check before drying. Look at the stained area while the clothing is still damp. If marker remains, repeat the alcohol-blotting step before using the dryer.

If the Sharpie is on a white shirt:

Use the same rubbing alcohol method first. Do not jump straight to chlorine bleach. Bleach may not remove the marker evenly, and it can damage fabric or leave yellowing on some materials.

Once the marker is mostly removed, oxygen bleach may help with a remaining shadow on white or colorfast washable fabric. Test first and follow the product label.

If the marker already went through the wash or dryer:

The stain may still improve, but it will be harder to remove. Heat can make permanent marker bond more strongly to fabric.

Use the same rubbing alcohol method and expect multiple rounds. If the stain gets lighter but does not disappear, rinse, let the fabric rest, and repeat before drying again. Some dried permanent marker stains may leave a faint shadow.

If it is magic marker, black marker, or red Sharpie:

Treat it the same way as permanent marker unless you know it is a washable children's marker. Black and red marker can leave more visible pigment behind, especially on white or light clothing, so repeat slowly and keep using clean sections of towel.

If the marker is washable, dish soap and cold water may work. If it does not improve quickly, switch to the rubbing alcohol method after testing the fabric.

What not to do

  • Do not rub the stain. Rubbing spreads marker and pushes it deeper into the fabric.
  • Do not put the item in the dryer until the stain is gone or as light as you can get it.
  • Do not use rubbing alcohol without testing first, especially on dark, bright, delicate, or synthetic fabrics.
  • Do not skip the backing towel. Without something behind the stain, released ink can spread through the garment.
  • Do not pour alcohol directly through the stain. Use small amounts and blot into a clean towel.
  • Do not use chlorine bleach on colored clothing. It can remove the fabric dye and may not solve the marker stain.

Frequently asked questions

Will Sharpie come out of clothes in the wash?

Usually not by washing alone. A normal wash cycle may lighten the stain, but permanent marker usually needs a solvent such as rubbing alcohol before washing. Do not put the item in the dryer after washing if the marker is still visible. Drying can make the stain harder to remove.

Can rubbing alcohol damage clothes?

Yes, on some fabrics. Rubbing alcohol can affect dyes, finishes, and delicate fibers. Always test it on a hidden area first. Avoid using rubbing alcohol at home on silk, wool, acetate, triacetate, and dry-clean-only garments. For expensive or delicate items, a professional cleaner is safer.

How do I remove Sharpie from a white shirt?

Start with rubbing alcohol and a clean towel behind the stain. Blot slowly and keep moving to a clean part of the towel as the marker transfers. Do not start with chlorine bleach. It may not remove the marker cleanly and can damage some white fabrics. After most of the marker is gone, oxygen bleach may help with a remaining shadow on washable white or colorfast fabric.

Is permanent marker different from washable marker?

Yes. Washable marker is designed to release with water and detergent, so dish soap and cold water may be enough. Permanent marker is made to resist water, so it usually needs rubbing alcohol or another solvent. If you are not sure which kind of marker caused the stain, start with dish soap and cold water. If the stain does not improve, test rubbing alcohol and switch to the solvent method.

Can old or dried Sharpie stains come out?

Sometimes, but they are harder. Older stains and stains that went through the dryer may not disappear completely. Use rubbing alcohol, blot into a clean towel, rinse, and repeat. If the stain keeps getting lighter, continue slowly. If it stops improving, the remaining mark may be permanent.

Not sure whether you have Sharpie, permanent marker, washable marker, or pen ink? Use the Stain Rescue Tool to get a step-by-step plan based on your fabric and the supplies you have at home.

Use the Stain Rescue Tool

Related guides

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How to Get Pen Ink Out of Clothes

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How to Get Ink Out of a Dryer Drum

Rubbing Alcohol for Stains: What It Removes and How to Use It Safely

How to Get Ink Out of Clothes After Drying

How to Get Permanent Marker Out of Carpet

How to Get Ink or Marker Out of a Couch

Research sources (3)

These sources inform the stain chemistry and material-safety principles used in this guide. Some research supports the underlying mechanism rather than testing the complete household method.

How to Get Sharpie Out of Clothes — NerdClean