Finding crayon marks on the wall is a very common thing for parents. Unfortunately, most of the time, getting rid of it is difficult.
The bad thing about this is that the more you try to remove it, the worse it gets. So if you are wondering “how to remove crayon marks”, then read on for helpful tips and tricks.
Let's get right into the main points.
How do you get crayons off walls without removing paint?
If you want a quick fix to remove crayon marks, then this is the best method:
- First, use rubbing alcohol and a paper towel.
- Mix it with water in equal proportion.
- Clean the wall where you found the marks using this mixture.
- Don't forget to wipe off any excess.
This mixture will dissolve all kinds of stains even if it's paint or ink of some kind, but it doesn't hurt having extra protective layers like primer or sealer for really stubborn stains.
You can also use straight alcohol if you're running low on water or have no clean water around such as in an emergency.
To speed up the process, you can also use a heat gun.
This will have the same effect as using steam because alcohol is highly flammable and steaming it will evaporate faster making everything easier to wipe off while doing less damage.
Can you use vinegar to clean crayon marks from painted walls?
Yes, you can. Just like alcohol, you'll need equal parts of vinegar and water (water only if the stain is fresh). Vinegar is a common solution that is used when it comes to removing unwanted items such as sticky grease.
Dab a small amount on a paper towel and wipe it off taking care to not put the excess liquid on the wall because the excess will just make a bigger mess while doing very little good for the stain.
Also, keep in mind that vinegar has a strong smell so it's better to do this when windows are open or use extra protection such as wearing gloves.
If you're going to use it regularly, then I would suggest using diluted vinegar which has more water than pure vinegar (for health reasons).
What other methods can I use to remove crayon marks from walls?
Toothpaste/Denture cleaner – This one works because the main ingredient is baking soda which is great at lifting stains.
You'll need equal parts of toothpaste and water. Get an old toothbrush that you don't mind throwing out once you're done (or better yet save an old one just for cleaning).
Clean the wall with this mixture as much as needed. If you happen to be at your dentist and they have remineralizing toothpaste or denture cleaners, then those will work as well.
Be careful with the amount you use because it can dry the wall if you use too much of it at once (it's better to apply several coats than one big coat).
To remove crayon marks covering a large surface like walls or floors, then I would recommend using “diluted” toothpaste.
To dilute, take an empty bottle and fill it 1/4 of the way with pure water (30/70). Spray this diluted mixture all over until covered. This works great for walls, floors, and even appliances that are painted white like refrigerators or washing machines.
After cleaning with either method above, wipe off the excess product by dabbing a paper towel on top of the area and brushing it in a circular motion.
If the crayon is on furniture, then clean it by using regular toothpaste/denture cleaners and buffing lightly with a microfiber cloth or an old towel.
What not to do when removing crayon marks from walls
Don't scrub too hard while cleaning because this will only make things worse instead of better. The worst thing that can happen is if you use too much force and also use chemicals that are too strong for your wall paint (like bleach which should never be used on white walls).
If you feel like it's not working, then try another method listed above.
If the marks are old and they're not easy to remove, then it's best to contact a professional. If the stain is new, then use an alternative method listed above and do it ASAP while it's still fresh.
How to remove crayons from walls without scrubbing
This will help especially if you have young kids because crayons can be hard to clean off your wall even using harsh chemicals which sometimes take days or weeks until it completely goes away leaving behind a faint shadow of the original color.
Scraping it off – This works best when done fast before anything dries up especially if you have little kids at home who love drawing all over the place. Get some old credit cards (you can always re-use them later), old gift cards, scissors, a spoon, paper clips, or anything similar which will give you a “scraper” that can peel off the crayon marks.
Take the credit card/gift card and rub firmly on top of the crayon marks while applying a little bit of pressure until it's completely removed (don't worry if it takes some paint when you're doing this). This is what you need to do to quickly get rid of any unwanted marks from white walls. But remember…the key here is to act fast before anything dries up.
The downside with this method is that sometimes it could take more than one attempt before removing all traces of crayon so be careful not to scrape too hard because then you'll end up taking off some of the paint or even worse scratching it leaving behind a very faint shadow of its original color.
Final thoughts on how to remove crayon marks
In conclusion, it's not that hard to remove crayon marks from walls especially if they're fresh. One of the best ways is by using a combination of either baking soda or toothpaste, water, and an old toothbrush (never use cleaning chemicals).
When it comes to scrubbing, be careful you don’t do it too hard while cleaning crayon marks, as you might end up taking off some paint which will leave a faint shadow of its original color.
This is why it's better to act fast and clean before anything dries up while at the same time using a gentle force when cleaning.
