How to Get Permanent Marker Off Photographs

You decided on a quiet afternoon of leafing through old photographs, only to discover that your five-year-old beat you to it--with permanent marker. Now your parents' vacation in Ireland features a googly-eyed stick figure standing on your father's head and your wedding picture has you sporting a mustache? Chances are the pictures haven't been ruined. There are ways to repair the damage and restore the photographs.

Things You'll Need

  • Dry-erase marker
  • Soft cloth

Instructions

  1. Cleaning the Photograph

    • 1

      Place photograph on flat, clean surface. Wipe down surface beforehand and ensure that it is dry.

    • 2

      Test the dry-erase marker. Apply no more than a short stroke in a place covered by permanent-marker.

    • 3

      Wait 30 seconds, then take a soft cloth and gently wipe the dry-erase marks away.

    • 4

      If the permanent-marker came away with the dry-erase marker, then reapply dry-erase marker over a larger area, no more than a square inch.

    • 5

      Quickly wipe away the new dry-erase marks. Keep applying and wiping the marks, one square inch at a time, until all traces of the permanent-marker are gone.

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