Because you probably have one in your junk drawer right now and because it's fun to see if things like this work. How to fix a dried out Sharpie ...
I shared this tip over a decade ago but have let it languish in obscurity since then. Mainly because my Sharpie was fixed and I didn't need to do it again.
However.
I made a great big batch of applesauce the other day and preserved it in my canner. That is what I did, because I do things like that.
Then, I went to to my newly organized kitchen drawer to grab some labels and a Sharpie for my jars. That's when I saw my Sharpie marker in the drawer sitting quietly beside the Sharpie cap. So I cried. A real gutteral one with feeling. This is what I did, because I do things like that.
I tested the Sharpie, the Sharpie had indeed dried out proving the tears were worth it.
I had an official calamity. Jars that needed labelling and nothing other than countless pencils, pens, and other working Sharpies to label them with.
So I fixed it. Because I do things like that.
Sharpie Saving Supplies
- A dried up Sharpie
- Rubbing alcohol
- paper
- Test the Sharpie again just to make sure. Nope. Doesn't work.
2. Grab a bottle of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. 99% is better, but if you only have 70% on hand, use it.
3. Pour some alcohol into the cap of the bottle.
4. Set the Sharpie tip down in the alcohol until you see a bit of ink swirling out from the tip.
5. Put the cap back on and leave the Sharpie to sit for 15 minutes.
6. After 15 minutes, try again. If it's fixable this way, it will be fixed.
That is what I did, because I do things like that. All the time.
This trick will not revive allllll markers. Sometimes, some things are just too far gone to be revived with a little bit of alcohol.
TOP TIP
The same trick will work on regular markers using plain water instead of rubbing alcohol.
MORE ADVANCED METHOD (if the first doesn't work)
If you're really adventurous and quite fond of your Sharpie (or just won't ever give up on anything) you can take the Sharpie apart and drip the rubbing alcohol into the market from the top down. This will saturate everything that might have dried in the marker, not just at the tip.
- To disassemble a Sharpie, grab both ends with vice grips or plyers and pull apart.
- Squeeze about half an eye droppers worth of alcohol into the the top and let it work its way down.
- Keep the marker upright for 10 minutes or so.
- Try the marker.
- If it still isn't working, repeat steps 1-3.
- If it still isn't working buy a new Sharpie.
You might also be interested in my How to Remove Sharpie from Walls post if things get out of control during your fixing a Sharpie routine.
The applesauce is made (I churched it up a bit time with toasted sugar, maple syrup and a bit of caramelizing), labelled and in the cupboard.
My Sharpie is currently resting comfortably in its drawer wearing its protective nightcap.
billy sharpstick
I'll have to try this.
(Additional note: Sharpies are not as permanent as they claim. I have a lot of potted plants outside that are now unidentified because sharpie is not weatherproof. Instead, I now use grease pencil or lead pencil.)
Karen
Yes, lead pencils are best for outdoor marking. I have grease pencils, but I don't think I've ever thought to use one for outside plant marking. I'll give it a shot! ~ karen
Deb from Maryland
Genius I say!!
🌵Las Vegas Pam🌵
I explode them in our microwave and then clean it using vodka. Grey Goose Special Edition works the best. I don’t actually use that expensive vodka to clean an ink explosion! What gave you that idea? I drink the Grey Goose and use rubbing alcohol to clean the microwave. The 97% isopropyl alcohol is best because it’s more better than the other crappy stuff. If you can get 99% you can split atoms in your microwave and end the microwave and the rest of the planet. Kitchen Fixin’ is the most fun part of your blog right after Sharpie rehab.
IMG_5843
tuffy
COOOLLL!!
Thanks! 🙏
Karen
You bet! ~ karen
Randy P
It is often said that 'timing' is everything. Says the guy who took delivery the other day of a box of 12 Sharpie fine point markers. Which at my age of 75 may well be a lifetime supply. But should one of them dry out, I'll give the alcohol a try.
Karen
I don't think you're supposed to try alcohol when you're drying out. ;) ~ karen!
Randy P
Hah! Point taken, well done.
Marsha Harrison
Dip it in rubbing alcohol. Since rubbing alcohol is the primary ingredient in this type of pen, it can be used to rehydrate alcohol-based markers.
You can read more here: https://www.intermediaarts.org/make-a-sharpie-work-again/
margaret
Felt pens don't all use the same solvent. I have had luck renewing some by soaking in methyl hydrate, but I'm pleased to have another option to check out. And yeah, sometimes they're too far gone to salvage. Also true for ball point pens; I've discovered eventually the ink in the tube coagulates, and no amount of soaking the tip in anything will fix it. (Which is not to say the ink won't still be unsolid enough to make a hell of a mess if you cut the tube in half; trust me...)
eduardo
Perfeiro ,obrigado
Chuck Pelto
RE: Silver Sharpie Makers
This technique doesn't work with the SILVER variety of Sharpies.
Does anyone know of how to get that type to work properly again?
Stephanie L Cinquanta
Shake them, but be careful, I have had them explode ink after doing this.
Pushy Phoenix
OMG. You're well-spoken, creative, witty, solution-seeking, freaking hilarious, and *Canadian*!?
How has this place of yours eluded me in all my internet travels till now? I may be in maker-love. Or at least maker-lust. Guaranteed several hours of my life are about to be spent digging into your archives, giggling madly, soaking up bits of useful knowledge while saving links like crazy!
But first, to stop by that Gravatar site as the points you made in the entry about user pictures are...are...um, they're right on point.
Oh, specific to the Sharpie topic: Although it's not what I was looking for, you and your commenters've just saved me and my co-workers a heck of a lot of grief. We all use thick sharpies at work and they're uncapped much of the time so dry out far too quickly - now we've got a solution!
And rubbing alcohol is something I never let run out, there are little bottles of it all over the house because it does so many things. Here's one more for the list.
Thank you for you!
Karen
Wow. You can come by and comment any time you like Pushy Phoenix, lol. I'm feeling rather big headed now. :) Welcome to The Art of Doing Stuff! ~ karen
Karen B
Yippee!! This worked great with my ultra fine point sharpie markers! #NewLifeToOldStuff
You 'smell people' will appreciate that I had mint scented alcohol to use for this. LOL!!
tuffy
Wow that IS great. Didn’t know that existed.
Karen B
For me, it's not just about cost. I hate things being disposable, especially if they're not really broken her dead, or if they CAN BErepaired, why would we throw them out?
I already do the water washable marker rescuing with my classroom markers. Thank you for the tip,helping us to not be wasteful. It means a lot to me. ~ K
Liv
I'm definitely hoping that this will work! I use my black sharpies almost everyday and as high as prices are, I couldn't get a new one! I'm crossing my fingers and letting them sit...
Nathan
If u don't have any rubbing alcohol handy, u can also use nail polish remover to revive the dead sharpie. The results are amazing how the dry sharpie turns perfect after just dipping it in. Thanks for the amazing tip
Char
this just saved my life!!!
Carl Buick
I've noticed that water and sharpie ink don't mix. That being said…rubbing alcohol is usually 70 pct alcohol and 30 pct water. Most places that sell rubbing alcohol also have 90 pct rubbing alcohol. I use it, figuring that it works better.
Vy
can i use acetone (nail polish remover)??? i don't have rubbing alcohol atm
Amykate
Yea! How awesome that your page (that I already subscripe to) pops up as my go to Google answer! You rock Karen!
Karen
Ha! That's fun! Oddly enough it even happens to me sometimes, lol. ~ karen!
Bonnie Ames
Run for President since you are one of the few people'who
can actually solve problems,
That would be refreshing, huh?
Karen
Hmm. I'll give it a shot. ;) ~ karen!
Karen B
I didn't see you in the running! Bummer. Well, now you have another 4 years.
Bonnie Ames
I think you should run for President since you CAN
fix problems. you are what the US needs, along with Trump!