How to Remove Ink from Painted Walls

The Logic Verdict

My Take: The DIY host mixes plain baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste, scoops it with a dedicated sponge, and scrubs the ink until it fades. The mild grit erases the scribble without tearing latex paint, and rinsing with a damp cloth clears the residue.

The Science

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is mildly alkaline and crystalline, so a paste acts like a fine polishing compound. The particles loosen dye molecules sitting on the paint film while the water suspends the loosened ink so you can wipe it away. Because the abrasive is gentle, it removes marker transfer without etching most eggshell or satin finishes.

Step-by-Step Removal

1. Mix the paste. Combine several tablespoons of baking soda with less than 1/4 cup of water in a small container. Stir until it’s thick—closer to toothpaste than soup.
2. Load the sponge. Use a non-scratch sponge you don’t eat with; scoop or dip to coat one face in the paste.
3. Test a corner. Dab the paste on a hidden patch of paint to make sure the finish doesn’t dull.
4. Scrub the ink. Press the loaded sponge onto the scribble and rub in short circles. Add moderate elbow grease if the line is stubborn, reloading with paste as needed.
5. Wipe and inspect. Once the ink fades, wipe the spot with a damp microfiber cloth to remove baking-soda residue. Dry with a clean cloth and repeat any steps if faint pigment remains.

Parts & Tools

• Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda (Amazon) – Main ingredient in the gentle scrub paste.
• Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Sponges (Amazon) – Dedicated sponges for applying the paste without marring paint.
• E-Cloth Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (Amazon) – Rinse away baking-soda residue without streaks.

What NOT To Do

• Don’t soak the wall—excess water can bubble drywall or loosen paint.
• Don’t use the paste on fresh paint (less than 30 days old); it’s softer and can scuff.
• Don’t substitute harsh solvents like acetone on latex paint; they’ll strip the color faster than the ink.

Resources

• Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda (Amazon)
• Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Sponges (Amazon)