How to Remove Crayon From...

For some reason, my daughter never had the urge to color on anything but paper. Then - hello! - along came our son, who puts bits of crayons in his pockets so he can color on the walls, the piano, his bed, the carpet - you name it - whenever we aren't looking. So now I have some plenty of experience cleaning crayon off of nearly anything. Here are some tips:

Painted or Plastic Surfaces: My favorite method is a Mr. Clean Eraser (or a knock off version of this product sold at The Dollar Tree). It's easy and quick - and my son can do it himself! Vinegar and a toothbrush work, too, as does plain toothpaste and a brush.  

Brick: Spray a little WD-40 on the affected area and scrub with a bristled cleaning brush. Spray again with WD-40 and wipe with a soft towel. Wash with soapy water.

 

Carpet or Fabric: Try scraping the crayon off with a metal spoon. Crayola suggests spraying with WD-40 and letting it sit for several minutes, then using a stiff cleaning brush to scrape away the crayon. Remove the excess crayon with paper towels, spray again, and add a little liquid dish detergent. Work this in with the brush and clean off with a damp sponge. Upholstery cleaners may work, too. My method is to place a brown paper lunch bag on the affected area, then used a warm (not hot) iron to press the area. Do not iron back and forth or you may spread the crayon around.  

Glass: Windex and paper towels.  

Vinyl Flooring: Mr. Clean Eraser. Vinegar and a toothbrush. WD-40. 

 Wood Flooring: I have used Mr. Clean Erasers for this, but our wood floors are in poor condition. If they were in decent shape, I'd use another method - probably dish washing detergent and a sponge.  

Tub or Shower: WD-40 (followed by a good rinsing).  

Television or Computer Screen: Thankfully, this is one I've not had to deal with. Some experts suggest wetting a microfiber cloth and wringing it until it's almost dry; then gently use it to remove the crayon. Isopropyl alcohol is supposed to work, too, and Crayola recommends a little WD-40 and a microfiber cloth.  

To prevent crayon stains in the first place: Keep crayons where children can't reach them until they prove they are responsible enough not to use them inappropriately. Of course, if your child squirrels away bits of crayons when you're not looking, you'll still have a problem - but hopefully it won't be as wide spread. Whenever possible, have your child clean off the crayon herself. However, children should always be supervised during this cleaning - and young children should not use WD-40. In addition, you might consider having your child wear protective cleaning gloves.  

* Please remember: Before using any of these methods, test in an inconspicuous spot.

No comments