This is the permanent marker that was found in the hands of my two year old.
This is just one spot on the back of my couch.
This is our beautiful toy kitchen.
This is one of several toys that fell victim to the red permanent marker.I didn't take pictures of the chair, the treadmill, the wall, the aquadoodle mat, etc.
I was so mad I literally couldn't talk.
Christian spent about 20 min. in his room before I could even talk to him about it.
Emma was the one who left him in the garage by himself (unbeknown to me - the marker was left there from when I made yard sale signs last weekend) so she quickly offered to help and was quite good about fetching paper towels and bleach and upholstery cleaner and magic erasers, etc. Poor girl, I think my silence was terrifying her! Just for the record, this was in no way her fault. Christian bears the total responsibility for this act! He knows better!!
I scrubbed the couch for over an hour and the marks are still there. Any suggestions??
Normally the thought of putting my little boy on a bus and sending him off to kindergarten makes me well up with tears, but not today. Today the thought was thrilling to me! I hope I can get over this by tomorrow. I hope I don't feel anger every time I see the red on my couch and chair and wall.
21 comments:
Oops! I was going to suggest the magic eraser but looks like you have already tried that. I am not sure what will take it out of the couch without taking the color out. You might try some dry cleaning solution. My daughter has never been bad about coloring on stuff but "boy howdy" ( don't know why I used that dumb saying) give the girl a pair of scissors and she would go to town. When she was 4 she cut my couch and my oriental rug up one day. She still has a fascination with scissors, I find her dolls with haircuts quite frequently. Maybe your son will be a famous artist one day and you can still be displaying his "early works"! Or maybe not! Sorry you had such a rough day!
"Seeing Red" I thought that would have been a good title:)
Oh Judy, I got a chuckle from this one because I've been there and totally understand the anger from some of the messes that my dear Tanyon has made also! I've found that with time even permenant marker seems to fade or God just helps to close your eye to it. :) Sorry about the rough day. Keep up the hard work, you doing a great job being a mom!
oh no!!!!! that is terrible! I have heard of something that works for permanent marker, but right now I can't think.
Have you tried hairspray?
Hmmm...the sharpie in the couch is going to be a tricky one. Your hard surfaces should be able to be cleaned with the magic eraser, I would think. Just realize that all of us moms have places in our houses that have been "loved on" by our kids - none of us live in a museum!!! Sigh. Long day - I KNOW that feeling! :)
We had this happen to our carpet (brand new carpet) the day we put our housae on the market! We calle da friend who does carpet instalation and cleanign and he told us what to use and it worked... here is the key... VENTILATION! It is strong smelling but works and you only need a little at a time.
1. Goof - Off sold at LOWES and HOME DEPOT in a small red adn yello oil like can. VERY STRONG SMELLING. test on a place that can't be seen first to make sure it won't fade the counch in the process of removing the marker. Directions on can.
2. If that doesn't get it you will need amonia (again smells strong) 30 proof peroxide sold at SALLEY BEAUTY SUPPLY or any beauty supply place for that matter. It is creamy in consistancy... mix the two togetehr on a white towel and blot.... do not rub. You may wants to use a small soft brissle toothbrush once you have the solution on the fabric... again test it first.
I hope one of these works for you.... I can only imagine the steam coming form your ears!
oh...no... I can only imagine that feeling. I do not look forward to those days. I'll be interested to hear if Sarah's suggestions work. So I guess it's best for me to not to think about getting any new or nice furniture (or anything for that matter) any time soon huh?
Do NOT get mad! your anger will
leave!!!!! LOVE:Emma
I didn't know she was even on the computer, let alone posting a comment. Sorry. I usually try to monitor what she writes!!!
Oh, Judy, I'm so sorry. I've done that before, sent the kids to their rooms because I was too angry to address the situation. Thankfully, those times are very few and far between. I don't have any good ideas for marker removal. Anna
I just HAD to check back and see if anyone came up with a solution - it sounds like Sarah may win the prize! can't wait to hear - and by the way, I think it's better to send them to their room for 20 minutes so you can calm down than some other worse alternative!! :) Been there, done that!!!
so, how did christian feel after all that?! my only suggestion is the magic eraser like everyone said, but good luck with the couch... did it come out yet???
WOW....i'm getting all kinds of good parenting tips on here and CLEANING tips for that matter...what about that OXI clean stuff?? maybe you already tried it?
Anyway...sorry you had a rough day!
try hair spray..it takes out other forms of ink....christi
I just looked up your problem in my "Queen of Clean" book (every mother needs one) and it said to use denatured alcohol or use an old toothbrush and scrub the spot with white (non-gel) toothpaste and baking soda....scrub hard...or try denture cleaning tablets for whites and brillant bleach..it is a pain but it says it works also there is a product called lava soap that is recommended.....sounds kind of like a witches brew!!!!...good luck remember permanent is permanent!!!...Christi
Judy I have some industrial strength cleaners, like the magic eraser, but it is made by Eco Lab. I had a similar experience with my 2 year old about 4 months ago. It works on walls, it took it off at my house. I will mail you some ASAP. I suffered from bouts of anger as a result of seeing the black spots all over my house too.
White Tooth paste may work too. It worked for me on various spots in my house when my son did the same thing.
Ask Ryan if I need to do a "donut run" from CT and fix that couch for you...
Kent M - CT
It's Crud Remover and a steam cleaner...and a little elbow grease!
this happened recently to one of my co-workers! his wife called him up crying and crying. they had permanant marker all over thier couch, rugs, walls, etc. i really need to keep these materials out of reach for sophie when she's old enough to be sneaking around doing these kinds of things. :)
anyway...what christi said about the toothpaste and alcohol is something i have also heard before. they're supposed to get out ink stains i guess...i haven't tried it personally, but i'd love to know if it works... :)
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