Kids love to scribble and doodle with crayons on construction paper, printer paper, poster boards and more. Unfortunately, their artistic talents often find their way onto the walls, too. If your walls are marked with colorful shades, you no doubt want to erase the mess right away.
You may have already tried to scrub off the crayon mark using a general-purpose cleaning product or a cleaning wipe, so you already know that these methods won’t work. How do you get crayon marks off the wall?
Are Crayon Stains Permanent?
Crayons are waxy, colored sticks that have been a mainstay in art boxes for decades. Made out of wax, typical cleaning products often are ineffective at removing crayon marks.
While this could lead you to believe that the stains are permanent, they actually aren’t. With the right cleaning methods, you can easily tackle crayon stains and restore the cleanliness of your walls.
What Is the Best Stain Remover for Crayon Stains?
Because crayons are made from wax, the best stain remover is one that effectively tackles oily messes. However, when selecting a cleaning method, you also need to consider the surface that the marks are on.
Flat paint is easily damaged by abrasive cleaning products and rough sponges or cloths. While high-gloss paint is less likely to be damaged when removing crayon stains from walls, you should always test-clean an inconspicuous spot on the wall before cleaning a more obvious area.
How to Get Crayon Off Wall Using Common Household Items
You don’t need to buy a special cleaning product to remove crayon marks. Several of the items that are likely already in your house will do the trick.
Magic Eraser or Sponge
A magic eraser or sponge can safely be used to remove crayon marks on walls with satin and high-gloss paint, but it should not be used on walls with flat paint.
Moisten the magic eraser, and rub the stain gently. Excessive pressure can damage even satin and high-gloss paint. As soon as the stain disappears, stop scrubbing to avoid damage.
Baking Soda Paste
Pour a suitable amount of baking soda in a bowl based on the size of the crayon stain. Add enough lukewarm water to make a paste. The paste should be thick enough that it won’t drip down the wall. Using a microfiber cloth, rub the baking soda paste on the wall in a light, circular movement.
After the crayon mark disappears, use a clean cloth dipped in fresh water to remove the remaining paste. Turn on the overhead fan to speed up the drying process.
Toothpaste
A non-gel toothpaste is also an effective crayon-removal option. Avoid gel toothpaste as it can stain the wall.
Using a clean toothbrush and a dab of toothpaste, gently rub the paste onto the crayon mark. If you don’t have an extra toothbrush lying around, you can use a clean microfiber cloth. After removing the stain, rinse off the toothpaste using fresh water and a microfiber cloth.
Vinegar and Dish Soap Solution
Distilled white vinegar can break down the waxy crayon marks easily. Simply dab the pure vinegar onto the wall and rub lightly with a microfiber cloth. An alternative is to use Dawn dish soap. Rinse the wall after the stain is gone.
Baby Oil or WD-40
Both WD-40 and baby oil will remove crayon marks easily. To use the WD-40 method, spray the crayon mark. After waiting a few minutes, wipe off the mark and spray with a microfiber cloth.
To use the baby oil method, dip the corner of a microfiber cloth in the baby oil, but don’t get it excessively damp. Rub the mark lightly until it is gone. Then, wipe off remnants with a dry microfiber cloth.
Tips for Preventing Future Crayon Marks
The most obvious way to prevent future crayon marks is to observe your little artists at all times. Realistically, though, this won’t happen. Kids seemingly have ninja-like movements and can be drawing their next Picasso when you turn around for only a minute.
To prevent marks from staining your walls, use a satin, semi-gloss or high-glass paint in rooms where your kids color. You can also add a clear topcoat to prevent stains and make it easier to remove crayon marks. Eventually, your kids will learn not to color on the walls, and these easy steps will help you avoid unnecessary frustration until that time arrives.
Crayon marks on walls are only some of the many tough cleaning challenges you can face. Our housekeeping professionals at TidyHere know how to tackle the toughest stains and messes while keeping your home safe and free of harmful chemical cleaning products. Book green cleaning services in Boston today.
