Experiment #4 How Permanent Are Permanent Markers

What You Need:

5 solvents

5 brands of permanent markers

1 yard of white cotton fabric

1 piece of wood painted white

black fabric paint

yard stick
Optional : tooth brush, paper towels

Step 1:

Measure 5 columns with yard stick and mark with fabric paint.

Step 2:

Place markers on the left side of fabric.

Place the solvents in each of the 5 columns.

Using markers, make large marks going across in each column.

Each row contains a different marker.

Step 3:
Using tooth brush or paper towel, put solvent on marked fabric.
Does the solvent remover the marker?

Step 4:

Try to rub out the stained fabric before it dries.


Step 5:
Wait for the fabric to dry in order to see the end results.


Step 6:
Make columns with the fabric paint on the wood like the fabric.
Mark the columns with the permanent markers.

Step 7:
Use each of the solvents in each column to remove the markers.
How permanent are these permanent markers?

More Information on Permanent Markers

1. Mini Lesson Plan

2.State Standards
4th Grade Science
GLE 0407 Inq. 3 Organize data into appropriate tables, graphs, drawings, or diagrams.
SPI 0407 Inq. 1 Select an investigation that could be used to answer a specific question.
GLE 0407.9.2 Compare the causes and effects of various physical changes in matter.

3.Extended Resources
How permanent are permanent markers? (By: Vannessa and Shannon)

Do Liquids Mix?

For a video of this experiment, click here.