“I don’t know how to get crayon off the walls!” is typically something every parent finds themselves wailing at some point in their child’s toddlerhood (and beyond!)
We get it—you come home from work, your littles meet you at the door radiating pride at their artwork for the day. You follow them through the house in happy anticipation of their artistic genius, and then you round the corner to see the kids have made your walls their canvas.
UGH! Now what? After you grit your teeth through praising your little lovely’s creation while strongly suggesting they use paper next time, how do you get your walls back?
The good news: you don’t have to buy a fresh can of paint every time an enthusiastic or naughty child draws on your walls.
TLC Cleaning has all of the hacks you need to keep your walls clean and crayon-free. Plus, if the stress of house chores gets in the way of family artwork time, you can call us to handle the clean-up for you.
Contact us today, and we’ll be in touch to schedule a customized consultation so we can relieve all your cleaning stress without delay. (And may we suggest booking an art camp for your little ones so once your walls sparkle again, they stay that way?)
Glamour “don’ts” for crayon cleaning
Since crayons come from wax, it’s key to understand how not to clean up these marks on your walls. Wax is water repellant, and regular soap and paper towels won’t even make a dent in the markings.
Further, it’s crucial to choose a cleaning method to remove the crayon without causing damage to your walls.
If you have high-quality, durable paint, you can perhaps get a little more aggressive with your cleaning methodology. But, we recommend starting gently and amping up the cleaning intensity by degrees until you hit just the right touch to restore your walls to pre-child standards.
Cleaning agents for how to get crayon off of the walls
Surprisingly, you may have several cleaners handy that answer the question of how to get crayon off the walls. Check your cabinets for the following:
-Toothpaste: First, be sure it’s not the “gel” kind of toothpaste. You’ll need an opaque paste and a sponge, toothbrush, or small cleaning cloth. Apply some paste directly on the crayon mark, and use a little elbow grease to rub the wax off the walls. Once you remove the stain, give the wall a few swipes with a damp cloth to get rid of the paste.
-WD-40: While this agent may live in your garage or basement instead of your cleaning cabinets, it’s super effective on crayon and other wall stains. Test a squirt on a less visible part of your wall to be sure it won’t damage your paint. Generally, WD-40 won’t harm wall finishes.
-Vinegar: This pantry staple can come in handy for a multitude of cleaning challenges, including crayons. Bonus: there are no harsh chemicals in this option, and it’s environmentally friendly. You can put some undiluted vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz it directly on the crayon marks.
Pull out a toothbrush and scrub gently until the crayon wax and color come off the wall. Maybe plug your nose too, and keep some windows open, so you don’t get overwhelmed by the pungent vinegar smell. Don’t worry, it’s temporary and harmless, and the cleaning results from this simple compound win every time!
-Cleaning erasers: These cleaning tools are a handy light abrasive and scrubber all-in-one. Dampen the eraser under the kitchen or bathroom faucet for a few seconds, and then start scrubbing the crayon marks. (Pro tip: test out the eraser on a small area of the wall first, as cleaning erasers may leave a visible spot on some wall finishes, especially flat-finish ceiling paint.)
-Baking soda: Ah, the universal cleaner, right? Most people have at least one box of baking soda in the pantry. Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with a few teaspoons of water until you create a thin paste.
Apply the paste to the wall stain, and grab that handy toothbrush again to gently scrub out the marks. Since this method is a bit more abrasive, be careful not to scrub too hard or too long, especially on glossier paint surfaces like satin or semi-gloss. (Also, we recommend getting a dedicated toothbrush for cleaning and a separate one for your teeth!)
-Turpentine: Typically used to clean up after painting with oil-based paint, this solvent can be effective on crayons too. Once more, do a test patch before getting at the stain with scrubbing.
Safety first: Turpentine has harsher compounds than some of the other cleaning agents in this list. Be sure to ventilate your space and use gloves when handling turpentine. Kids should NOT help if this is the cleaning agent you choose.
What about when my kids use markers (gasp!) on the walls?
If you can catch marker stains while they’re still wet, you may be able to spray a gentle cleaner on them and wipe them away with a cloth.
If marker stains dry before you discover them, try dabbing a little nail polish remover on the mark. After letting the nail polish remover sink in for several seconds, you can wipe the stains away with a damp cloth.
On the prevention side, include washable crayons and markers in your next art supply purchase. You can even pick up a set of colorful tub-time crayons! You can then turn your littles loose on the bathroom walls during their next soak and then splash the drawings away when you drain the tub.
Don’t forget to take pictures of the washable wall art so you can still have the memories without the massive cleaning headaches.
Call TLC Cleaning for all your scrubbing frustrations
When you’re already running on physical, emotional, and mental “empty,” the last thing you want is to clean extra messes in your home or business. Trust the professional team at TLC Cleaning to expertly pick up where your tidying and cleaning energy and motivation leave off.
Contact us today for a free consultation and service quote. Whatever your cleaning needs may be, we’ll serve them efficiently and with pride in the Fargo, Grand Forks, and Detroit Lakes communities.
