How to Remove Crayon Stains From Every Surface
How to Remove Crayon Stains From Every Surface
Crayon stains can appear on virtually any surface your child draws on – walls, floors, windows, blinds and bedsheets! But don’t fret; there are several safe and efficient cleaning techniques you can try to get those crayon marks off!
Aside from heat treatments, you can also use everyday household products to eliminate those pesky crayon stains. Just be sure to test the product on an inconspicuous spot before applying it directly onto your walls!
Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is an essential baking ingredient that gives foods like cookies, cakes and bread their light, fluffy texture. It has many household uses too – from cleaning and deodorizing to supporting oral health and stimulating kidney function.
Baking soda is also a natural antacid, making it perfect for relieving acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. For this reason, keeping baking soda on hand in your fridge may help alleviate these digestive discomforts if you tend to experience them.
To alleviate acid indigestion, mix baking soda with water and apply to your stomach with a soft cloth. Allow this solution to sit for around ten minutes before eating the fruit you sprinkled mixture over. As an alternative remedy, sprinkle this mixture onto some fresh produce as an all-natural cure for acid reflux.
If you’re suffering from morning sickness, it can be difficult to regulate your body’s acid levels and this could lead to tooth enamel damage. To protect them and keep them white, try rinsing your mouth with a baking soda rinse when feeling unwell.
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Baking soda is an ideal substitute for over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and Tylenol, which can be hazardous if taken in excess. Furthermore, its alkaline nature helps restore pH balance within your body by aiding with absorption of minerals like sodium.
Baking soda is an effective natural cleaner that can eliminate crayon stains as well as oil, grease and dirt from surfaces. Simply adding a few tablespoons to one quart of water in a spray bottle will make your home smell refreshed without using harsh chemicals.
Another use for baking soda is as an abrasive when trying to remove wax stains from walls. To avoid damaging your wall paint, test the product on an inconspicuous area first, and then scrub it onto the wall with a stiff brush.
You can also use a damp Magic Eraser to gently erase crayon marks from walls. Just be mindful not to press too hard on the flat paint, which could cause cracking or chipping away at its finish.
Dish Soap
Dish soap is an ideal all-purpose cleaner, whether you need to take crayon off walls, furniture or clothing. A little goes a long way with this non-irritating cleaner as its non-irritating surfactants make it perfect for scrubbing down tough-to-clean surfaces.
If the crayon stain isn’t too severe, you can try applying a paste of baking soda and water on the stained area, then gently rubbing with a toothbrush or scrub brush. Once dry, wipe away any remnants of cleaning solution with clean water.
Another effective solution for getting rid of crayon stains is using WD-40. Spray some product directly onto the stain, let sit for a moment before wiping away. This method works great on fabric and most wallpapers (test first!).
You can also make your own cleaner with a mixture of 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons detergent and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Apply this solution to the stain and gently rub it away using either a toothbrush or scrub brush in circular motions until all traces of stain have been eliminated.
In addition to cleaning the surface, liquid dish detergent will break up any wax that’s causing the stain to stick in place. This helps prevent it from becoming permanent and gives the area a more polished appearance.
If the crayon stain is more severe, you can also use a solution of warm water and dish soap to rub the stained area and scrub away any leftover residue. Once it has dried, sanitize with an eco-friendly cleaner that won’t harm paint finishes or other materials.
Dawn dish soap, designed for gentle on paint, is another effective solution for eliminating crayon stains from walls. Its strong surfuctants–chemical compounds that reduce surface tension when dissolved–cut through grease without harming the wall’s paint.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly, also referred to as white petrolatum or soft paraffin (PJ), is an oily substance commonly found in moisturizers and baby care items. It helps keep skin from drying out, heal scrapes and burns, and keep lips from chapping.
It can also be used to help remove makeup. While it may not be ideal for those with acne-prone or excessively oily skin, it does provide an effective barrier and helps retain moisture.
Applying PJ on your eyelids makes it much simpler to take off mascara and other cosmetics. Just be sure to clean the area thoroughly afterward, as PJ residue can clog pore-clogging pores.
Other household uses for PJ include opening jars, buffering leather and protecting car parts from damage. It plays an essential role in baby care products like diaper rash creams and lotions for dry or cracked skin.
However, it’s not recommended to use it on fresh cuts and burns since bacteria can potentially trap them and prevent the body from healing itself. Before applying it to a burn, consult your doctor first to make sure this is the best option for you.
Lipid pneumonia, when present in large amounts, has been known to irritate the lungs. This condition is commonly referred to as lipid pneumonia and may cause inflammation, coughing and shortness of breath.
People with asthma or other breathing issues should avoid applying PJ around their nose, as it may exacerbate existing symptoms and worsen existing conditions. If you have a weak immune system or are taking certain medications, consult with your doctor before using PJ around your nose.
If you have any type of skin allergy, it is best to avoid using PJ on your face. As it contains oil, be mindful not to get too much in your eyes or on your nose as this could clog pore size.
Petroleum jelly can be a safe and cost-effective skin care product when used properly. Make sure it’s free from impurities and emulsifiers, triple-filtered for purity, free from greasy oils or fragrances, and packaged in an inflammable container to guarantee freshness.
Vinegar
Crayoning is an excellent way to express your creativity, but when used on surfaces like painted walls, the stains they leave behind can be difficult to eliminate. Fortunately, there are several solutions for getting crayon stains off any surface.
If the stain is not too deep, you can remove it with dish soap and a microfiber cloth. The detergent will help dissolve the crayon, but be careful not to scrub too hard as this could damage the paint. You may need to repeat this process several times until all traces of crayon have been eliminated.
Another option is using a toothbrush dipped in vinegar. Be gentle as you scrub, and results should appear within a short amount of time.
Vinegar is a staple kitchen ingredient, but it can also be used as an effective household cleaner to eliminate stains. The acetic acid in vinegar works to break down various kinds of stains and odors – including food stains!
Vinegar contains acetic acid which can effectively remove grease from various surfaces, including refrigerators and ovens. Additionally, it’s an effective cleaner for carpets or upholstery with crayon stains.
For deeper stains, you can try a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Be sure to test it first on an inconspicuous area for best results.
You can also apply baking soda paste over the stain, then wipe it away with a dry cloth. Doing so will exfoliate the crayon, making it easier to remove.
Additionally, if the stain is on a painted wall, you can rub full-fat mayonnaise over it. The oil in mayonnaise will help dissolve crayon, and water can easily rinse away with no trace remaining.
Finally, you can try using a paper towel or cloth dipped in water and dish soap to remove the crayon stain. Alternatively, you could also heat the stain with a hairdryer to melt it and make it more easily removable.
For a longer-lasting solution, you can hire a professional to clean your house. This may be especially helpful if your child hasn’t been very responsible with their crayons or the stain has been present for some time.
Pencil Eraser
Crayon stains can be a real hassle to get rid of, but they’re not insurmountable. The Vanilla Arts Team has you covered with their top eraser recommendations and an effective erasing technique that will make all your pencil marks disappear.
Let’s begin by exploring why pencil stains occur in the first place. Pencils work because of graphite, a dark gray mineral that lies atop of paper. When drawn, graphite mixes with fiber particles in the paper while binding with polymers that make up its handle and eraser. Sticky polymers keep graphite from falling off during drawing by adhering it securely against paper fiber particles.
Once a pencil has been erased, its lines remain as loose grit waiting to fall off of paper. While this doesn’t make them impossible to remove, erasing pencil marks isn’t as effortless as one might think.
Erasers are essential tools for artists who need to quickly and cleanly erase marks without damaging their paper. There is a wide variety of erasers available, such as those made from rubber, vinyl or plastic.
Effective erasers are those that lift graphite from surfaces in a clean, even manner and leave no smudges behind. That is why we suggest using a pencil eraser – it has been specifically designed to do just that!
One of our top picks for erasers is the Sakura Arch Evolutional from Japan. This company produces a variety of fine art supplies, but their eraser in particular is perfect for wiping away pencil lines with ease and precision.
This eraser not only lifts graphite, but it can also remove waxy and oily binders from colored pencils. This makes it an indispensable tool for artists who work in colored pencils – particularly beginners learning how to use this type of pencil.
We also have several methods for getting crayon stains off surfaces, including bicarbonate of soda, kneaded erasers and rubbing alcohol. Each is gentle yet effective in getting rid of pencil marks that leave drawings looking scruffy and untidy.
Bicarbonate of Soda
Bicarbonate of soda is not only an excellent raising agent for baking, but it’s also an effective natural cleaner, deodouriser and mild abrasive. You can use it for various household tasks like wiping down fridges, teapots and glassware.
Natural alternatives to harsh chemicals that may be hazardous for your health and ability to remove unpleasant odours. Furthermore, it’s a safe and effective antacid which helps alleviate heartburn and indigestion symptoms.
If your child returns from school with crayons on their uniform, one of the first things you should do is soak it in cold water and three tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda. This will help set the crayon and make it easier to scrape away.
You could also try freezing the uniform and pressing an iron over it to harden the crayon, making it easier to scrape away. Be careful not to press too hard though or you might end up with permanent stains on the fabric.
Another option is to mix some washing up liquid with warm water and dab it on the stain with a cotton bud, working it in gently. Repeat this process until the stain has disappeared; however, make sure you use this method on an area away from traffic such as behind your sofa rather than on your wall.
Finally, to remove marker stains from walls you can use a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol. The alcohol acts as an abrasive and helps lift the stain; however, it may be more difficult to lift lighter paints.
You can also try spraying the area with a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and water, then dabbing it with a cloth to dissolve any stains. Be sure to rinse your cloth in clean water after each use in order to prevent future staining of surfaces.
Kneaded Eraser
Kneaded erasers are an invaluable tool for artists when they need to erase or highlight graphite, charcoal and pastels. Artists can stretch, compress and mold them to create an erasing tip that’s tailored just for the job at hand; plus they’re great at pruning lines, cleaning edges, performing detail work and more!
Kneaded erasers are typically constructed from gray or white pliable material that resembles putty rubber. Unlike other erasers, the kneaded eraser does not leave behind any dust particles when used, helping it last longer and keeping your art supplies clean and safe.
Kneaded erasers can often be found at your local art supply store. Many come in packs that offer great value and last for years.
Keep some kneaded erasers in your craft box so you can quickly clean up sketched masterpieces when they get messy! These gray erasers are moldable to different sizes, allowing you to customize them according to the area needing erased.
Kneaded erasers may become stained with dried-on media particles over time, so it is essential to knead them again before use. Doing this helps redistribute the particles and makes the eraser softer for improved effectiveness.
When using a kneaded eraser, be sure not to leave it unattended for too long as this can cause it to harden and become harder to use. This may indicate that it’s time for you to replace your eraser.
Another option is to mix some dish detergent with water and gently scrub away crayon stains. This will also help clean any grease stains left from the crayon.
Finally, you can also try washing up liquid to loosen the wax and make it easier to wipe away with a soft microfibre cloth. You may need to repeat this step until all traces of crayon stains have been eliminated from your paper or wall!
While there are many methods to remove crayon stains from paper or walls, one that’s simple enough for everyone is the most efficient and time-saving: with just two steps! Not only will this save you a lot of frustration in the future, but it’s also very easy!
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a widely-used household liquid chemical. It’s often found in antiseptic hand sanitizers, household cleaners, paint thinner, personal care products and sterilizers used in medical settings. Most are composed of isopropyl alcohol ranging between 68-99% concentration.
Although not recommended for consumption, bleach can be used to disinfect surfaces and relieve muscle aches. Furthermore, it acts as a disinfectant, killing pests on plants in the process.
Rub alcohol presents a serious problem because it absorbs quickly into the body, leading to serious physical complications and dangerously low blood pressure. It may cause impairment of consciousness (slurred speech, stumbling, sedation), decreased body heat production, or even heart failure.
To avoid this, always keep rubbing alcohol at a safe distance and only use it when absolutely necessary. Before applying it to any surface, always test on an inconspicuous area first to make sure there are no adverse reactions on paint or surfaces you are trying to remove stains from.
Another way to remove crayon marks on painted walls is with a Magic Eraser. This will take away the wax without damaging the paint or leaving behind any marks. However, use only a small amount of solution and test it on an inconspicuous area first to guarantee no harm is done to either paint or walls.
You could also try using a kneaded eraser, which are typically available at art supply stores. These specialized erasers won’t leave behind peelings like other erasers, making them safer to use on walls.
Kneaded erasers can help take the wax off walls without damaging them, but be careful not to rub the stain as this tends to spread the crayon and make it harder to remove. If this method doesn’t work for you, try cleaning with turpentine or household bleach solution of no more than 50 percent.
Conclusion
Removing crayon stains can be a daunting task, but through using the proper techniques, scrubbing with patience and a bit of work, you can save your clothing from disaster. Remember to test all solutions on an inconspicuous area of your garment first. And of course, keep in mind that prevention is always the best cure – it pays to knock out those stains before they have time to settle in!
Keep these tips in your back pocket and with our help you might just have a fighting chance against those slippery little hands and their wayward markers. For more stain removal advice, check out our blog for more great tips!
FAQs
1. What is the best way to remove crayon stains?
The best way to remove crayon stains depends on the type of surface you are trying to clean. For fabrics, your first step should be to scrape up as much of the wax as possible using a butter knife or spoon. Then, put the item in the freezer for about an hour so that it hardens and becomes easier to remove. Once removed, pre-treat with a laundry stain remover before washing as usual.
For hard surfaces such as walls or floors, try an all-purpose cleaner like Windex or diluted dish soap and water. If this does not work, you can use a stronger solvent like rubbing alcohol, acetone (nail polish remover), or mineral spirits but test an inconspicuous area first!
2. Can I use bleach to get rid of crayon stains?
No, bleach should not be used on crayon stains as it may set them into fabrics instead of lifting them out!