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How to Get Sharpie off Shoes: Step-By-Step Guide

Do you ever find yourself frantically searching for a solution to remove stubborn Sharpie marks from your favourite pair of shoes? Fear not, because we have the leading guide for you! In addition to the traditional methods like rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, and hair spray to get Sharpie off shoes, we have a game-changing alternative for you - Vessi shoes.

Not only are our Vessi shoes stylish and comfortable, but we also make them with a unique material that is incredibly easy to clean and 100% waterproof. Say goodbye to the hassle of removing Sharpie marks and hello to a more effortless and sustainable shoe option with a pair of Vessi shoes.

However, if you don't have a pair of Vessi shoes and yours have Sharpie stains, we've got you covered to ensure you never worry about pesky Sharpie marks again. Dive in!

How to Remove Sharpie Stains off Shoes

Sharpies are among the most common and popular types of permanent markers available worldwide. As a permanent marker, Sharpies stick to most surfaces, are water-resistant and do not fade.

Sharpie ink is a tricky marker stain to remove from various types of shoes. However, removing the stains from your favourite pair is not impossible. So, how do you remove dried Sharpie marks from different kinds of shoes?

1. Rubber shoes

Remove Permanent Marker from rubber Shoes

Image Credit: thespruce.com

Removing Sharpie stains from rubber shoes can seem daunting, but you can do it effectively with the right tools and techniques. Here's how to remove Sharpie stains off rubber shoes.

Materials needed

To remove Sharpie stains off rubber shoes, you will need the following materials:

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Cotton balls or swabs

  • Baking soda

  • Water

  • A clean, dry cloth

Methods for removing Sharpie stains off rubber shoes

a) Using rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol works well for removing Sharpie stains from rubber shoes. Here's how to use it:

  1. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or swab.

  2. Rub the cotton ball or swab onto the Sharpie stain. Rub gently but firmly, making sure to cover the entire stain.

  3. Once you cover the entire stain, use a clean, dry cloth to remove excess rubbing alcohol.

  4. Repeat steps 1-3 until you completely remove the Sharpie stain.

b) Use baking soda

Baking soda is another useful way to remove Sharpie stains from rubber shoes. Here's how to use it:

  1. Mix equal parts of water and baking soda to form a paste.

  2. Apply the paste to the Sharpie stain on your rubber shoes.

  3. Rub the paste onto the stain using a clean cloth or toothbrush. Be gentle but firm, making sure to cover the entire stain.

  4. Rinse the shoe with water and dry it with a clean cloth.

  5. Repeat steps 2-4 until the Sharpie stain is gone completely.

2. Leather shoes

Remove Permanent Marker stains from leather Shoes

Image Credit: legionfootwear.co.za

Anyone who owns leather shoes understands how difficult it can be to keep them looking their best. Leather shoes are a staple in most people's wardrobes, but unfortunately, they easily stain with Sharpie marks. Removing Sharpie stains off leather shoes requires a delicate touch, as leather is a sensitive material.

Here's how to remove sharpie stains off leather shoes:

Materials needed

To remove Sharpie stains off leather shoes, you will need the following materials:

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Cotton balls or swabs

  • Leather cleaner

  • Leather conditioner

  • Sunscreen (preferably with a high SPF rating)

  • Magic eraser

  • Dishwasher soap

  • Water

  • A clean, dry cloth

Methods for removing Sharpie stains off leather shoes

a) Using rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is another efficacious way to remove Sharpie stains from leather shoes. Here's how to use it:

  1. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or swab.

  2. Rub the cotton ball or swab onto the Sharpie stain. Rub gently but firmly, making sure to cover the entire stain.

  3. Once you've covered the entire stain, use a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess rubbing alcohol.

  4. Repeat steps 1-3 until you remove the Sharpie stain completely.

b) Using leather cleaner

Leather cleaner is another method to remove Sharpie stains from leather shoes. Here's how to use it:

  1. Apply a small amount of leather cleaner to a clean, dry cloth.

  2. Rub the cloth onto the Sharpie stain. Rub gently but firmly, making sure to cover the entire stain.

  3. Once you've covered the entire stain, use a dry cloth to remove the excess leather cleaner.

  4. Repeat steps 1-3 until the Sharpie stain is gone completely.

c) Using leather conditioner

Leather conditioner is a great option for removing Sharpie stains off leather shoes while conditioning the leather. Here's how to use it:

  1. Apply a small amount of leather conditioner to a clean, dry cloth.

  2. Rub the cloth onto the Sharpie stain. Rub gently but firmly, making sure to cover the entire stain.

  3. Once you cover the entire stain, use a clean, dry cloth to remove the excess leather conditioner.

  4. Repeat steps 1-3 until you fully remove the Sharpie stain.

d) Sunscreen

While sunscreen often protects our skin from the sun's harmful rays, it can also remove Sharpie stains from leather shoes. This method works particularly well on light-coloured leather.

Here's how to use sunscreen to remove Sharpie stains from leather shoes:

  1. Apply a pea-sized amount of sunscreen onto the Sharpie stain.

  2. Rub the sunscreen directly onto the Sharpie stain with a cotton ball or swab. Rub gently but firmly, making sure to cover the entire stain.

  3. Once you cover the entire stain, let the sunscreen sit on the stained area for a few minutes.

  4. Rinse the stained area with warm water and dishwasher soap.

  5. Use a clean, dry cloth to remove the sunscreen.

  6. Repeat steps 1-4 until you completely remove the Sharpie stain.

e) Using a magic eraser
Magic eraser

Image Credit: hunker.com

A magic eraser is one of the best ways to remove a permanent marker stain from leather or fabric shoes. You should consider using a magic eraser, especially if the permanent marker ink mark covers leather and fabric parts.

  1. Wet the magic eraser by running a clean sponge under cool water and then squeeze any excess water.

  2. Use circular motions to gently rub the Sharpie ink marker stain using gentle but firm pressure. Do not rub too hard to avoid lifting the colouring of the leather.

  3. Rinse the stained area with water and mild soap using a clean cloth.

3. Plastic shoes

remove stains

Image Credit: bhg.com

Plastic shoes are durable and easy to clean but can easily stain with Sharpie marks. Removing Sharpie stains off plastic shoes requires effort, but you can do it effectively with the right materials and techniques. Here's how to remove Sharpie stains from plastic shoes.

Materials needed

To remove Sharpie stains off plastic shoes, you will need the following materials:

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Cotton balls or swabs

  • Nail polish remover

  • A clean, dry cloth

Methods for removing Sharpie stains off plastic shoes

Clean with White vinegar

Image Credit: realsimple.com

One of the common methods of removing permanent marker stains from plastic shoes is writing over permanent markings using a non-permanent dry-erase marker. The permanent marker's solvent dissolves permanent ink labels, which allows you to wipe the marker stains away using a clean cloth or paper towel.

However, if the dry-erase marker method doesn't work, more options exist for removing marker stains. They include:

a) Using rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is another proper method for removing Sharpie stains off plastic shoes. Here's how to use it:

  1. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or swab.

  2. Rub the cotton ball or swab onto the Sharpie stain. Rub gently but firmly, making sure to cover the entire stain.

  3. Once you cover the entire stain, use a clean, dry cloth to remove excess rubbing alcohol.

  4. Repeat steps 1-3 until you completely remove the Sharpie stain.

B) Using nail polish remover

Nail polish remover is another reliable way to remove Sharpie stains from plastic shoes. Here's how to use it:

  1. Pour a small amount of nail polish remover onto a cotton ball or swab.

  2. Rub the cotton ball or swab onto the Sharpie stain. Rub gently but firmly, making sure to cover the entire stain.

  3. Once you cover the entire stain, use a clean cloth to remove excess nail polish remover.

  4. Repeat steps 1-3 until you can no longer see the Sharpie stain.

Tips and Tricks for Removing Sharpie Marks

 Remove Permanent ink

Image Credit: realsimple.com

When removing sharpie marks off shoes, there are tips you could probably use. When you observe proper precautions, you can ensure that you fully remove permanent marker stains safely from any shoe material.

  • Check the shoe labels before treating your shoes to avoid causing any damage to your shoe's materials. If there are no instructions, read about the fabric to determine the best method of removing stains.

  • Remove sharpie marks while they are still fresh instead of waiting for a long while. If you can't treat your material immediately, you should soak it in cold water to prevent Sharpie ink from penetrating too deeply into your shoe.

  • Like with any cosmetic fix, you should test on a small area of your shoe before trying any removal method.

  • Avoid rubbing sharpie stains since it only pushes the sharper ink through the shoe fabric. Instead, lay the stained side facing down on clean cloths or paper towels and tackle the stain gently from the backside.

  • When using removal methods such as an acetone nail polish remover or WD-40, ensure you work in a well-ventilated area.

Conclusion on How to Get Sharpie off Shoes

 Remove Marker stains

Image Credit: reddit.com

When it comes to Sharpie stains on shoes, the thought of removing them can be daunting. However, with the methods we've covered, you can remove Sharpie marks like a pro.

From rubbing alcohol for rubber shoes, nail polish remover for plastic shoes, and sunscreen for leather shoes, there's a solution for every type of shoe material. In addition, taking preventive measures like avoiding leaving Sharpies around, sealing shoes with a protective spray, or opting for easy-to-clean shoes like Vessi, can go a long way in avoiding stains altogether.

So, next time you face a Sharpie stain on your shoes, don't panic. With some elbow grease and the right materials, you can say goodbye to those pesky marks, and hello to shoes that look as good as new. Whether you're headed to work, school, or out for a night, you can step out in style, knowing you've got the Sharpie removal game under control.

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