How to Get a Sharpie Marker Stain Out of My Pillowcase

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Things You'll Need

  • Paper towels

  • Isopropyl alcohol

  • Cloth or sponge

Eliminate Sharpie stains quickly and effectively.

What started off as a small ink and glue factory in 1857 turned into a company that specializes in the colorful array of permanent markers we know today as Sharpies. While Sharpies are terrific for working on projects or just doodling on a piece of paper, if the ink finds its way onto other surfaces such as pillowcases, it can be a problem. Removing the ink restores the look of your bedding and keeps you from inadvertently waking up with ink smudges on your face.

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Step 1

Lie the pillowcase flat with the stain facing up. Place three to five paper towels inside the pillowcase directly underneath the stain.

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Step 2

Pour isopropyl alcohol onto the stain to saturate it. Use only enough to dampen the stained area.

Step 3

Blot the stain with a sponge or cloth to force the stain out of the pillowcase and onto the paper towels.

Step 4

Reposition paper towels as the ink transfers onto it so clean paper towels are always under the stain.

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Step 5

Blot the area and move the paper towels, replacing them with new towels as needed until the stain is gone.

Step 6

Launder the pillowcase immediately in the hottest water allowable for the fabric.

Tip

This method is safe for washable fabrics. Talk to your local dry cleaners about wool, silk and or other materials that may require special cleaning and care.

Warning

Don't place pillowcases with ink stains into the dryer or iron them, as the heat will set the stain permanently.

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