Parenting Tips on Removing Crayon & Pencil Marks
Parenting Help to Clean Unwanted Artwork From Paint and Wall Paper
Jun 4, 2009
Marks from crayons and pencils are easier to clean than those from pens and markers. Still, moms and dads may want to check out this creative parenting advice and handy household supplies before tackling the job.
Parenting Help to Remove Crayon Marks From the Wall
The first step in removing crayon marks is scraping away as much of the wax as possible with a plastic knife, credit card, or fingernail.
Next parents can sprinkle a damp sponge with baking soda and rub the wall gently. This may take a while.
Another method parents might want to try is covering the crayon marks with a paper towel or brown paper bag and using an iron on the low setting to heat the area. The wax should melt and be absorbed into the paper. It’s important to change out the paper towel regularly though to avoid transferring the wax back onto the surface being cleaned.
If neither of these methods work, parents can try spritzing the area with WD-40. They should allow it to set for a moment then scrub the marks with an old toothbrush. Wipe the surface clean with a white rag and repeat adding a little dish soap if needed.
Parenting Help to Remove Pencil Marks From the Walls
Pencil marks usually come away easily with a white gum art eraser. Parents can also try sprinkling a damp sponge with baking soda and scrubbing.
Parenting Help to Remove Stickers or Decals From the Wall
Just as eye-catching as a crayon doodle, stickers aren’t usually a welcome addition to a home’s walls, floors, windows, or furniture. To remove a sticker that refuses to peel away easily, parents can soak the area with white distilled vinegar for several minutes then attempt to peel it away. If they still encounter resistance, they can soak with more vinegar and try again.
Parenting Help to Clean Marks From Wallpaper
Walls painted with a matte or satin finish can pose a cleaning challenge, but wallpaper is probably the trickiest wall covering to clean without damage. Those who’ve attempted it would advise parents to go slowly and consider first whether removing the mark is worth a damaged spot on the wall.
Vinyl wallpaper is more durable than the paper variety and can usually stand up to spot cleaning. Parents will want to try and avoid getting the wallpaper too wet. Also, they should avoid using warm water since this can loosen the glue.
Some patterns and textures can be scrubbed away from wallpaper leaving a blank spot where the wall was cleaned. Before using household substances such as lemon juice, alcohol, hairspray, bleach, or detergent to attack the mark, they’ll want to test the results by scrubbing an inconspicuous area.
Moms and dads can also check out parenting advice on removing marker or ink stains from walls. And for those moms and dads wishing to save themselves the frustration of scrubbing, several parenting tips for preventing wall art in the first place may come in handy.
