What Gets Out Sharpie on a Desk?

Rub it Away

• When dealing with polished wood surfaces, sometimes the best solution is a little friction, since applying harsh chemical products can strip away the surface and leave you with a ruined tabletop. Before you try anything else, grab a regular pink school eraser and attempt to rub the stains out. Another solution: dry-erase marker. Color over the permanent mark with a dry-erase marker, then rub with a whiteboard eraser. The dry-erase marker disappears, taking the Sharpie underneath with it in the process.

Hairspray or Sunscreen

• Some common household items, including hairspray and sunscreen, are effective for removing tough permanent marker stains. Be more cautious with these products, though, especially if working on wood. Test them in less visible areas first, since the chemicals could damage some finishes. Apply either of these products to the stains, leave them on for a couple of minutes, then wipe the hairspray or sunscreen away with a soft cloth. If you have it hanging around and you're trying to remove marks from a plastic tabletop, acetone works well.

Toothpaste

• Toothpaste has an additional use on top of keeping your teeth clean. The minty-fresh substance doubles as a relatively gentle method for removing permanent marker from hard surfaces, including wood. Let a little white toothpaste soak into each stain for about five minutes, then wipe. "Good Housekeeping" magazine recommends mixing equal parts toothpaste and baking soda for cleaning stains on wooden tabletops. Gently rub the paste over the marks, then use a second damp cloth to wipe the surface clean.

Homemade Mixture

• Another at-home mixture for removing tough permanent marker stains: baking powder and dish soap. Mix the two together to create a thick paste. Apply the paste liberally to the marks, then scrub the surface until clean. Because this mixture takes a little more elbow grease to work, it's most suitable for cleaning unfinished wooden desktops, wood with a more resilient finish and other less sensitive surfaces. When you're finished cleaning, use a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.