Clean Marker off a Doll

Sometimes the drawn-on doll's face is inevitable; the love of drawing combined with the curiosity of seeing how a new look might improve dolly can be irresistible. When it comes time to restore the doll's looks as best you can again, try one of the following methods.

Steps

1. Prepare the doll for cleaning.
   • Check that the doll is suitable for cleaning. The doll must be a modern, plastic or vinyl based doll. Vintage, valuable and older dolls are better seen by a professional doll repairer.
   • Remove the doll's clothing, shoes and any accessories.
   • Pull the doll's hair back, if possible, and either pin it up or put it in a ponytail with a hair elastic.
   • Protect the eyes and original painted areas if needed. For example, bandage off the eyes to protect them from cleaning solution being rubbed or splashed into them.
2. Choose one or more of the following methods. They are not provided in any specific order. However, it is important to understand that markers are made of different ink and solvent combinations, so not every method is going to be spot on. To test the likely usefulness of a method, you can do a test with cotton swabs as follows:
   • Choose as many of the solutions suggested below as you have ingredients for.
   • Dip a cotton swab in the solution.
   • Rub on a small part of the stained area.
   • Look at all of the swabs. The one which has transferred the most color is likely to be the best solution for the marker on your doll.

Glycerine and talcum powder cleaner

This method is recommended for use with modern plastic-based dolls.

1. Clean off the marker using this method as soon as possible after the marker has been used.
2. Make a paste from half glycerine and half talcum powder. The amount needed will vary depending on how large a space you have to clean or how large the doll is.
3. Rub the preparation over the doll's face or other body areas. Keep rubbing until the marks lift.
4. Use a clean cloth to wipe off the cleaning solution and marker mess.
5. Dry off with a paper towel. The doll will hopefully be back to normal.

Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover (acetone)

This method is recommended for use with modern plastic-based dolls.

1. Wash the doll's face or body area with warm, soapy water. This removes any grime, build-up and plasticizer that may be present. Dry off with a paper towel.
2. Dip a cotton ball or cotton bud (swab) in rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. The swab is best for using on painted designs on the doll.
3. Rub this over the marker stains on the doll.
   • Use a paper towel to carefully wipe off any parts that run while cleaning.
4. Repeat the dipping and rubbing until the marker fades.
5. Clean up with soap and lukewarm water.
6. Allow to air dry.

Baking soda

This method is recommended for use with modern plastic-based dolls.

1. Wash the face or body of the doll with lukewarm water. This removes any grime. Dry off with a paper towel.
2. Make a paste from baking soda and water.
3. Spread the paste over the marker stains. Using a well-used, old and very soft toothbrush, scrub over the marker area. Keep scrubbing until the marker stains lift.
4. Clean up with soap and lukewarm water.
5. Allow to air dry.

Acne treatment cream

This method is recommended for use with modern plastic-based dolls. Do be aware that it may bleach the doll and remove color from the vinyl or plastic too.

1. Choose an acne treatment cream that contains 10 percent benzoyl peroxide. It must be a mild acne cream, otherwise it may leave stains of its own on the doll's skin.
2. Wash the doll's face or body area with warm, soapy water. This removes any grime, build-up and plasticizer that may be present. Dry before proceeding.
3. Spread the cream across the are of the face or body with marker on it. Avoid any painted areas of the doll.
4. Cover the cream section with cellophane.
5. Leave the doll in a suitable spot indoors, in a cool place for several weeks. Let the cream work in daily.
   • An alternative is to place the doll in the sunshine or under a heat lamp. Only expose the part of the doll that you're removing the stain from––cover up the rest of the doll or it may fade. Leave the doll on a suitable surface such as a table or chair if outdoors, or on a windowsill if left inside. Leave for a few hours. The problem with applying heat is that it will affect the plasticizer, causing it to break down and with it, removing the pigment in the vinyl or plastic. Moreover, heat combined with the cream can burn the vinyl or plastic. Do this with great caution––it may speed the process up but it can also ruin the doll.
6. Remove the cream daily or, at the most, every few days. Reapply a new layer, with more cellophane over it. After a few weeks, the marks should have faded off considerably and possibly completely.
   • Wash off each layer with soapy water. Check how much of the marker has been removed before reapplying.
7. Continue until you're happy with the end results.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

If you have a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, this may be sufficient to remove the marks.

1. Moisten a piece of the eraser slightly. It can be cut into smaller pieces if it helps.
2. Rub the moistened piece of eraser over the stained area of the doll. However, do not use this on any painted parts of the doll, such as eyes, as the eraser is powerful enough to lift off these painted marks.
3. Repeat until the stains lift off.
4. Wash with soapy warm water. Allow to air dry.

Hairspray

1. Wash the doll's face or body area with warm, soapy water. This removes any grime, build-up and plasticizer that may be present. Dry before proceeding.
2. Spray hairspray onto a cotton swap/bud or onto a cotton pad.
3. Wipe over the area with marker stains.
   • Do not get onto the doll's eyes.
4. Continue until the stains lift.
5. Wash off the hairspray with warm soapy water.
6. Allow to dry.

Rotten milk solids for fabric dolls

This method is recommended for with a fabric doll with fresh marker stains.

1. Place a widely opened small carton of milk in the sunshine to rot and form solids.
2. Remove the solids from the carton. Spread the milk solids over the area of the fabric doll with the marker stains.
3. Leave to work its magic. The marker ink will seep up into the milk solids.
   • If the milk solids have no ink, repeat. It can mean that they have not been left to sit on the fabric long enough.
4. Place the doll inside a pillowcase. Knot it to keep the doll inside, then put through a regular medium-warm wash in the washing machine.
5. Allow to air dry in a warm, sunny place.

Baking soda and lemon juice for fabric dolls

This method is recommended for with a fabric doll with fresh or older marker stains.

1. Squeeze out some fresh lemon juice. Transfer to a spray bottle.
2. Spray over the stained area on the fabric.
3. Make a paste from baking soda and water. Coat the area sprayed with lemon juice, over the stains.
4. Let sit for a few minutes.
5. Wipe off.
6. Place the doll inside a pillowcase. Knot it to keep the doll inside, then put through a regular medium-warm wash in the washing machine.
7. Allow to dry in a warm, sunny place.

Tips

• It is recommended that you test a small area for any of the above methods, just in case it causes a reaction that makes things worse.
• It is always easiest to remove the marker as soon as possible. Leaving it to set for months and years will make it harder to remove.
• Tracing a washable marker over permanent marker may have some effect in lifting off the marker.
• Dry cleaning fluid might work on a plastic/vinyl doll.
• Toothpaste can work to remove marker stains in some cases. Apply, scrub gently with an old worn toothbrush, then wash off and repeat. Finish with warm, soapy water.
• Old stockings can be used to protect the unstained areas of the doll's skin or face from heat or cleansers while fixing the doll. Cut to size and slide over arms, legs, torso or face, as needed.

Warnings

• There is a possibility of making things worse with any of the methods. Test a small area first.
• Do not use cleaning agents on the eyes of the doll if they are made from glass, ceramic or other delicate materials. The contents of the cleaner might cloud, fade or even ruin these materials.
• These methods are not recommended for valuable, vintage, antique or very sentimental dolls. Seek professional advice and attention for such dolls.
• Results may vary dependent on the constitution of the marker used; some markers are a lot harder to remove than others. Try the cotton swab test suggested above to help you work out which method may be most useful.
• If the marker does not come off or you only make a small difference, it's likely that the ink is too set and won't come off completely.
• No method containing liquid should be used on a composite doll.

Things You'll Need

Method 1:

• Talcum powder
• Glycerine
• Wash cloths
• Paper towel

Method 2:

• Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover
• Cotton swab and/or ball/pad
• Paper towel
• Soapy water

Method 3:

• Baking soda
• Water
• Bowl and spoon for stirring paste together
• Old, soft toothbrush
• Soapy water

Method 4:

• Acne treatment cream, 10% benzoyl peroxide (for example, Clearasil®, Oxy10®, Walmart's Equate generic brand, etc.), plain, with no tints
• Warm soapy water

Method 5:

• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
• Water
• Warm soapy water

Method 6:

• Cotton swabs/buds or cotton pads
• Hairspray
• Warm soapy water

Method 7:

• Small carton of milk
• pillowcase
• Washing machine and standard detergent

Method 8:

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Baking soda
• Water
• Pillow cash
• Washing machine and standard detergent

Related Articles

• Repair a Doll
• Put a Bratz Doll's Head Back On
• Put a Barbie's Head Back On
• Condition a Doll's Hair

Sources and Citations

See also

• Untangle and Soften Doll Hair
• Fix a Slinky
• Remove Ink from an American Girl Doll's Face