While getting crayon off walls isn’t as easy as cleaning up fingerprints and dirt on your walls, but it is possible. With a little know-how and elbow grease, you can get your walls looking good as new.
You love for your kids to be creative and express themselves, but sometimes their “creativity” ends up on clothes, floors, walls and just about everywhere else. That means you need to up your game of cleaning up some of the challenging messes that only kids can create. Fortunately, there are plenty of handy tips and tricks for getting glue out of carpet, paint off of upholstery and, of course, the crayon scribbling on your nice, clean walls.
While we recommend using the most natural and safest cleaning products, we also know that sometimes you have to go with a heavier hitter. Not every cleaning tip you find lives up to the hype. Some cleaning tips end up making more of a mess than you started with. A few are somewhat effective, but just don’t seem to get the job done right. Other tips are downright unsafe or unhealthy. Here is how to get crayon off walls the right way without a whole lot of effort. Be sure to always spot-test any solution or product by testing it out on a small area to make sure it won’t cause any damage or discoloration.
Soap and Water
Before you go searching for the latest and greatest cleaning tips to get crayon off walls, and most other kid messes, try good old soap and water. The key is to take it slow. Wet a microfiber cloth and wring it out. Lather up some dish soap on the towel and gently start rubbing the crayon marks.
Be careful not to rub too hard to start with. Take your time and make sure you don’t get the wall too wet or you could end up having to touch up the paint. Rinse out your cloth frequently so that you don’t just transfer crayon marks from one area to another.
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers
What can’t you clean with Mr. Clean Magic Erasers? You probably know how magical this cleaning tool can be in the kitchen and bath, but you may not be using it to its fullest potential! These are great to use all over the house on just about any surface to get rid of dirt and grime.
Dampen your Magic Eraser to tackle the crayon mess. Make sure it’s not so wet it’s dripping. Lightly rub from side to side and up and down. As one side of the eraser becomes dirty, flip it over and keep going. You may need more than one depending on how much crayon damage you’re dealing with. Be careful not to rub too hard. You want to avoid dulling or removing the paint.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most recommended natural cleaners around. And for good reason. From whitening your teeth to getting rid of stains, baking soda is a cleaning staple no home should be without. Grab a box of baking soda and a small bowl and head over to the sink to create your crayon-busting concoction.
To get crayon off walls with baking soda, make a paste. Just mix the baking soda and water in your bowl until you have a thick paste. Use a sponge or microfiber towel and get to work. Rub your paste onto the crayon marks with steady pressure. Don’t rub too hard or you could damage the paint or drywall. Once you’re done, wipe down the gritty residue with a clean, damp cloth.
Mayonnaise
Along with adding tang to your potato salad, mayonnaise can help clean your kids’ crayon art from walls. You’ll need regular mayo (none of that fat-free stuff for this job!), paper towels, a microfiber cloth and some water. Gather your supplies and head over to your kid’s latest masterpiece.
Apply the mayonnaise liberally to the crayon marks with paper towels. Let is sit for 15 minutes to work its magic. Make sure your pets are out of the room or they could mistake your cleaner for a snack. Wipe the crayon marks with a damp microfiber cloth and you’re done. Clean up the oily residue with soap and water and dry everything off with a towel.
Vinegar
You probably already know that vinegar comes in handy when cleaning your toilet and other chores, but like baking soda, it has a multitude of uses. To get crayon off walls with this method, your supply list will include distilled white vinegar, a toothbrush you’ve taken out of commission and a microfiber cloth.
Dip the toothbrush into the vinegar and gently scrub away at the crayon marks. Take your time and only use enough pressure to get the job done. Get rid of the residue by wiping down the wall with a damp microfiber cloth and dry everything off.
When You Need More Firepower to Get Crayon Off Walls
Maybe your child happens to have some industrial-strength crayons that insist on staying put and preserving your child’s art for all eternity. Or maybe your child really let their creativity fly and created more of a mural than a little scribbling. Here are some more aggressive ways to get crayon off walls when your other efforts fail.
Goo Gone
Goo Gone is pretty strong and also safe if used correctly. Grab your Goo Gone, paper towels, soap and water and a clean microfiber cloth. Don’t put the Goo Gone directly on your walls. Dab some onto a folded paper towel and rub the crayon marks with firm pressure. Be careful not to work it in too hard or you could remove some paint. While you’ll end up with an oily residue, it will clean up easily with soap and water. Don’t get the wall too wet and dry it when you’re through cleaning.
Glass Cleaner
Glass cleaner with ammonia can be used for much more than just cleaning windows. You’ll need glass cleaner, a damp microfiber towel and a dry cloth. Spray the glass cleaner directly on the crayon marks and wipe off any runs or drips. Let it sit for five minutes and you should see your crayon marks start to fade. Gently rub any remaining crayon with your damp cloth and dry off the wall when you’re done.
WD-40
Maybe the strongest solution aside from repainting your walls, getting crayon off walls, with WD-40 is safe if used correctly. This method will help you cover larger areas more effectively. It’s best to open a window for ventilation or where a paper facemask. You’ll need your WD-40, paper towels, soap and water, a microfiber cloth and a dry cloth.
Like Goo Gone, you won’t spray it onto the wall. Spray a small amount on a folded paper towel and start spreading it all over the crayon marks. Use just enough to get the job done. As your paper towel gets dirty from the crayons, switch to a fresh one so that you don’t end up with one big stain. Clean off the residue with soap and water and dry the wall with a clean cloth.
