Sunscreen and 4 steps: how to remove marker stains in seconds

If your children have decided to turn your sofa or the walls of your home into a private canvas with a permanent marker, you probably know how difficult, if not impossible, it is to clean these stains. Permanent marker ink is designed to adhere to surfaces using durable substances, making its removal a constant nightmare that often ends in repainting a wall or damaging furniture.

But it turns out there is one home remedy, simple and completely unexpected, that proves to be particularly effective: sunscreen.

Why does it work?

The secret behind the trick lies in the chemical composition of the sunscreen. The marker ink dries with the help of a substance that glues the color pigment to the surface. Sunscreen is packed with unique oils that act precisely on this binding agent — they break down the "glue" and disconnect the ink's grip on the surface, instead of you having to scrub the area forcefully and cause damage to the wall paint or your leather products.

Here is how to do it in 4 simple steps:

1. Application or spraying: apply or spray a generous amount of sunscreen directly onto the ink stain. The trick works great on leather products like belts or sofas, and also on painted walls (unless it is flat, matte wall paint).

2. A short wait: let the sunscreen work for a minute or two. You will be able to see immediately with your own eyes how the ink begins to break down and lift off the surface thanks to the oils in the cream.

3. Gentle scrubbing: take an old toothbrush and gently scrub the stained area in circular motions. The ink will float and move into the cream.

4. Wiping and cleaning residues: wipe the area with a damp cloth or a clean paper towel. On walls, since sunscreen contains fat, it is recommended to go over it afterwards with a little water and dish soap to prevent the area from attracting dust and dirt in the future.