Tried the dry erase marker trick for permanent marker stains

Saw a hack online about writing over permanent marker with a dry erase marker to lift it off whiteboards. Tried it on my kitchen counter after my kid drew all over it with a Sharpie last Tuesday. It just smeared the ink into a gray haze across the granite, does anyone know a cleaner that actually works on porous stone?

3 comments

3 Comments

campbell.tara2mo ago

Wait, are you sure your counter is sealed granite and not something else like marble or quartzite? The problem is that dry erase markers have solvents that can actually push the Sharpie ink deeper into porous stone if it isn't sealed properly. You need to stop scrubbing and try a paste of baking soda and dish soap first, let it sit for 15 minutes, then gently wipe with a soft cloth. If that doesn't work, a poultice made from hydrogen peroxide and cornstarch might lift the stain out without damaging the stone. Whatever you do, stay away from bleach or harsh chemicals because they'll etch the surface and make it look worse. Good luck, I've been there with a toddler and a Sharpie on my own counters.

grant.nina2mo ago

Poultice made from hydrogen peroxide and cornstarch" - that's honestly genius.

campbell.tara1mo ago

Wait, did you try the baking soda thing yet? Cause I once tried to clean a Sharpie mark off my quartz countertops with straight bleach and honestly my kitchen looked like a crime scene for weeks. Learned that lesson the hard way. The poultice trick is legit though, I used it after my nephew got into some permanent markers and it saved my counters from looking like a toddler art project. Just don't be like me and test it on a hidden spot first, cause I definitely skipped that step and ended up with a lighter patch that stood out for months.