How to Revive a Dried Out Water-Based Marker (In Just Minutes!)
I love having an accessible craft area. I love that my kids feel the freedom to just sit down and start coloring or drawing. But before having kids, I had no idea how much time would be spent finding the caps to markers in said craft area, or listening to the complaints because caps were not put on markers after using them and they dried out. Before you toss those poor cap-less markers in the trash, try this quick and easy trick to bring it back to life! This has saved us from meltdowns (heaven forbid it’s the pink marker!) on more than one occasion, and it’s super easy! If it’s a water-based marker (like Crayola or most kids’ markers), all it takes is a bit of water and a few minutes of patience. I feel a little bad about all the markers that have met their trash can end too early because I didn’t know this trick, but no worries, because now all our markers live long, ink filled lives!
What You’ll Need:
- The dried out marker (side note – if you’re not using these markers you’re making your life harder than it needs to be with clean up)
- A sink with running water (or a small bowl of water)
- A paper towel
- 5 minutes of your time
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Run It Under Water
Hold the tip of the marker under a gentle stream of water. You don’t need to soak it—just let the water run over the tip for about 10–20 seconds. Keep an eye on it. Once you see a little ink starting to flow out again, it’s time to stop.
2. Let It Rest (Cap Side Down)
After rinsing, place the marker upright with the cap side down. This helps the ink flow back to the tip. Let it sit like this for about 5 minutes. (Resting it on a paper towel or in a cup works well too!)
3. Test It Out
After 5 minutes, give the marker a try on some paper. If it still seems a little light, you can repeat the water trick once more.
4. Desperate Times
If it’s really dried out, I put a bit of water in the cap and let the marker sit in that (cap side down!) overnight.
Why It Works:
Water-based markers dry out because the water in the ink evaporates, not because the ink is gone. Reintroducing moisture helps reactivate the ink that’s still inside the barrel. Letting it rest cap-down helps gravity do the rest of the work.
A Few Tips:
- This method works best on markers that haven’t been dry for too long.
- Don’t use hot water—cool or room temperature is best.
- For extra stubborn markers, soak the tip in a shallow dish of water for a minute or two before placing it cap-down, or try Step 4 above.
It’s always a bummer (actually: pull my hair out frustrating) to find dried out art supplies, but with this simple method, you can save your kids favorite markers and reduce waste too. Quick, easy, and satisfying—give it a try the next time a marker results in a tantrum in your living room. As an added bonus, my kids now call this “Marker Magic” and want to be involved in the process of bringing them back to life. That’s a win? Right?
