Colored chalk markers are an ideal inclusion to any kid’s drawing supplies. These markers are odorless and don’t come off easily with water. However, there are some techniques to remove this chalk marker without abrading much.
How Do I Remove Chalk Marker
Chalk markers are very prominent when it comes to decorative bold writings. You can use these markers on a variety of surfaces. The surface can be either porous or non-porous. Each surface absorbs the ink in specific ways, so the methods of removing these inks from the surfaces differ.
1. Remove Chalk Marker From Glass
Glass is considered a non-porous surface. Non-porous surfaces don’t have conventional holes to trap the ink. Thus cleaning off the chalk marker from the glass can be a breeze. You have to follow a simple process to swipe it off without leaving any ‘ghost’.
Step 1: Soak the Surface
To remove the chalk marker effortlessly soak the surface in water for 3 to 5 minutes. This will help to wipe the marker as soon as you start rubbing it.
Step 2: Swipe it Off
Take a damp, clean cloth. Bring out the soaked surface and start rubbing it with the piece of cloth gently. Don’t leave any spot.
You can simply wipe the surface with a damp cloth as well. But adding the first step will make the work easier. If this process doesn’t work properly and leaves tiny spots, the best way will be to use a chalk marker cleaner.
You can find chalkboard cleaning kits in the local stores. They include spray solution, microfiber cloth, eraser, etc. everything that will help in the removal. It’s better to get a non-toxic cleaning solution. However, ammonia-based solutions are commonly used in households. You have to ensure the correct use of it to be secure from toxicity.
2. Remove Chalk Marker From Porous Surface
Porous surfaces can be said as made for chalk cleaners. The tiny holes inside those surfaces trap the ink easily and that’s what makes it hard to remove the marker from the root. The best substance that can help in this case is vinegar. The steps are given below.
Step 1: Make a Solution
Add four cups of lukewarm water and half a cup of vinegar. Start with this watered-down mixture. You can increase the quantity of vinegar with each attempt.
Step 2: Scrub the Surface
Take a clean cloth. Start scrubbing the surface gently. Try to wipe as much ink as possible with the solution.
Step 3: Soak in the Solution
Leave the solution on the surface. Let the surface absorb the solution for 5-10 minutes. don’t swipe it dry. After the mentioned time, rub the surface again to remove the left ink. Once it’s all cleared, let the surface dry.
You can use the solution of vinegar and chalkboard solution as well instead of the vinegar and water solution.
3. Using Window Cleaner
For faster cleaning, you can use any window cleaner. Take a sponge or foam eraser. Spray the cleaner in the foam and wipe the surface gently. To get the best result, wipe the remaining stains with a clean dry cloth.
4. Remove Chalk Marker From Fabric
The nearest use of chalk markers is in tailoring. These marks can ruin the glam of a bag or the fabric. you can wash the whole piece of fabric to remove that line. But that idea really irritates you, isn’t it? Hence we have a more suitable way.
Don’t think of using water on it. It may smudge the line and make that area dirtier. Instead, use wet wipes. A box of wet wipes is all you need to get rid of this problem. Just take a wet tissue and scrub along the chalk line gently left and right. Don’t pressurize the scrubbing. You’ll see the line will disappear within seconds.
5. Get Chalk Marker Off Chalkboard Wall
If you use regular chalks that we generally use to write on a chalkboard, a duster is enough to remove that. But here we’ll discuss the more notable liquid chalk markers. These markers can’t be easily erased with just water. They’ll leave stains.
The easiest way to do the removal is using a magic eraser. You can purchase it from any local store or if you have a chalkboard cleaning kit with you, take the eraser from there. Cut a piece of the eraser and get it a little bit wet. Start scrubbing the board gently with the eraser. You’ll see the marker coming off. After scrubbing it all over, take a piece of clean fabric. Swipe off the area.
That’s it. The board is all ready to take another art on it. However, sometimes the stains may not completely vanish. It may leave residual outlines. To remove that as well, take a chalk marker and apply it randomly in that area. Leave it there to sit. After that, remove it in the same way. These may do the trick.
6. Remove Chalk Marker From Car Window
Car window chalk is also known as window chalk. It can be of two types, either water-based or oil-based. Here are the steps to remove window chalk easily from car windows.
7. Remove the Water-Based Chalk Marker
Comparatively removing water-based markers is easier. First, take a razor and start scraping off the markers. It will help to take off most of it. Then take a bucket of warm water and soap. Start rubbing the window with soap and wash it with warm water at the same time. This will remove the marks.
8. Remove the Oil-Based Chalk Marker
For oil-based window chalk, one more step is needed. After washing the window completely with soap and warm water, use WD-40 or acetone to clean the leftovers. To use acetone, you have to ensure that the area where you’re doing the cleaning work is well-ventilated.
Wear rubber gloves and take a piece of clean dry cloth. Take a thin layer of WD-40 or acetone in the cloth and apply it to the window. Rub the marks gently. This may take 10-20 minutes to dissolve the paint with WD-40. But acetone works right away. Once it’s finished, again clean the window with water and soap.
9. Using Brake Cleaner
You can only use a brake cleaner instead of all this hassle to remove window chalk. It will take only a few seconds to apply the cleaner and rub the chalk marks with a rug. But it’s not suggested as that can damage the paint or the clear coat.
How to Prime the Surface
To avoid the possible trouble erasing chalk markers, we suggest you prime the surface. If your chalkboard is new, it’s highly recommended to follow this trick to prevent ghosting. It may take some time but the output and the forward cleansings will become a lot easier.
To do the priming, you only need a piece of chalk. Take a chalk stick and use the sides. Rub the chalkboard using vertical strokes. Then rub it using horizontal strokes. Cover the whole board each time. Take a piece of a soft cloth and wipe off the chalks. The adhered chalks will work as ghost-resistant particles.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions and Answers)
Can I use mineral spirits to remove chalk markers?
Yes, you can apply mineral spirits on a wet rag and use it to remove chalk markers. However, it’s a bit risky and you have to be very careful as the spirit is very strong.
Is there any substitute for chalkboard erasers?
There are some rags available in the market which are specially made for cleaning chalk lines. Moreover, you can use a dusting product on a normal cleaning rag to wipe off the chalkboard.
Conclusion
New chalk art can deliver immense pleasure but after a period of time, it can also be a cause of your discomfort. To draw something new, it’s very important to clean the old one perfectly. Thus we tried to cover necessary information related to the topic. If you love to play with chalk markers, hopefully, this article will come to your rescue.
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