Perhaps some of you use the Industrial Strength black Sharpies to write on labels, of various surfaces. If so, have you discovered any easy way (as compared to scrubbing individually each label with Ajax or similar cleaner) to remove the last traces of the writing.
Labeling is one of my areas of frugality, so I use the strongest version of plastic knives from the local Party Store, yellow for daffodils, and various other colors for annuals, perennials, etc. These are about 10 cents each, and can easily be pushed into the ground out of season.
I write on both sides and both ends of the knives–cultivar on one, source of bulb the other; and reverse the information.
The part that is always below ground remains legible for years; the part above ground fades in the sunlight.
Other than washing all the presently unused labels and spreading them out in the sunshine for months, has anyone found a way to remove the Sharpie writing? I’ve tried a Clorox solution and it doesn’t work. I’m wondering about dentifrice cleanser?
Other than washing all the presently unused labels and spreading them out in the sunshine for months, has anyone found a way to remove the Sharpie writing? I’ve tried a Clorox solution and it doesn’t work. I’m wondering about dentifrice cleanser?
Any other ideas?
I plant miniatures, and small rare standard bulbs, in plastic strawberry baskets, also about 10 cents apiece. I favor (though don’t always get around to it) the wise practice of an extra label in the basket.
Loyce McKenzie
My suspicion is that the ink has penetrated deep into the plastic and is not simply on the surface. You can test this hypothesis by lightly sanding the surface. If it is true, you’re better off doing what Ian suggests, and discarding the knives after the print is no longer valuable to you.
As to acetone being dangerous, I’d say that’s all relative. Yes, ventilation is good, and gloves will keep your hands from drying out, but it is not toxic on the scale of benzene or any pesticide. We used to wash our hands with it in chem lab, and it is one of the major ingredients of nail polish remover, intended to be applied to the body.
Melissa
Hello Loyce
At 10 cents each it just might be worth cleaning the knives-
but they do get brittle over time and chemical cleaning
would tend to make the situation worse! Anyway- the industrial sharpie
initially will come off with ethanol- Probably need at least 150 proof-and
nail polish remover sometimes works-the non acetone is what I use, but
acetone is available at the cosmetic department in 100% for nail polish
removal. The ethyl acetate(non acetone) works better at 100% but I
have not found it in the stores- industrial paint shops use it.
Automotive paint thinner or stripper will melt most plastic knives.
Kerosene does not remove sharpie well but cleans other stuff off.
I have not tries gasoline- I would expect it to melt the knives also.
John
I expect to be in California by March 6- hope your show is a success-
as it always is!
JB
Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:19:09 -0500
Hi Loyce,
There is a product called “Goof Off”, which removes permanent marker. This is available at Home Depot, and many hardwares stores in a small can, much the same as household oil. Two words of caution with the use of Goof Off though – 1) Use in a well ventilated area, preferably outdoors. 2) Wear disposable gloves while using this solvent as skin contact should be avoided.
Dave Liedlich
Connecticut
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Hi Donna,
The solvents in “Goof Off” are xylene and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethanol.
As far as I can remember, xylene is a potential carcinogen.
Goof Off is amazing stuff though. It really does take off permanent marker.
Dave
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No one has mentioned using just plain rubbing alcohol to remove Sharpie markings – unless the material is very porous that’s been my standby for years, ever since I worked in a biological lab and needed to clean writing off glassware. Also, I use a Brother labelmaker to make my labels and affix them to cut-up plastic venetian blind slats, then push the labels into the ground almost all the way. That way, they don’t get raked up or stepped on too much. Since I also keep a map of where i’ve planted which daffodil, I know where to look for the label if it isn’t spotted immediately., and a little scratching of the surface usually locates it. I have such limited space for planting that my daffodils go into a 24″ square with the varieties about 4″ apart, one or two bulbs of each variety in a space. I intersperse the daff squares with ones holding iris, daylilies, etc. so the beds don’t look too bare after the daffodils are gone. I like the idea of PVC pipes and dropping the labels inside, but I don’t want to fool with some 300 PVC pipes in the ground, especially after they start to fill up with dirt and need cleaning out! Ethel Smith in MN
Sometimes a teacher uses permanent marker on a whiteboard by mistake, much to the amusement of the students. The permanent marker can be removed by writing/ scribbling over with an ordinary non permanent whiteboard marker. I don’t know if this would remove Sharpie but it could be worth a try.
Global warming has produced a week of cold, miserable rain here. Any wonder some of us believe that global warming is only debated when the government is in strife, or they want a new way to tax us.
Dave