Homemade Crayon Removal Kits

If you have children then you need a homemade crayon removal kit. This kit should contain the things you would need to remove crayons from any surface you may find in your home, and instructions on how to use each item for varying crayon problems.

Instructions for Carpet

For carpet use the smooth knife or old credit card to scrape away as much of the crayon as you can remove. Sweep it up as you go and continue to scrape at it until it's loosened. Lay the brown paper on top of the remaining crayon marks on the carpet. Set the iron to its hottest setting and iron back and forth on the brown paper until you see the crayon melting and coming through the paper. Move the paper around to a clean spot and put it down on the remaining crayon if any and continue to iron. If any crayon remains in the carpet, use full strength dishwashing liquid on the crayon and rub hard with a rag to remove it.

Instructions for Wood and Walls

If you have crayon marks on unfinished wood rub the area briskly with the Magic Eraser until you have removed as much of the crayon as possible. Then put alcohol on a clean rag and dab at the remaining crayon if any until it is all cleaned away.

If the walls or wood is painted then use the WD-40 on a rag to wipe it off. You will most likely need to rub rather briskly and turn to clean areas on the rag several times. Then use the dishwashing liquid to clean away any grease left behind.

Instructions for Upholstery

Use the knife or old credit card to scrape at the crayon until you have removed as much as possible. If crayon remains, apply a bit of WD-40 and rub with a stiff brush to loosen the remaining crayon. Clean away all of the WD-40 with dishwashing liquid on a clean rag. Always test an inconspicuous spot on the upholstery with these cleaners before using them in a highly visible area.

Instructions for Fabric

If you have managed to melt crayons in the pocket of a jacket or on any other washable clothing the best solution is to soak the garment in water as hot as the fabric will allow and add a cup of Oxyclean and a cup of Shout stain remover. Rub at the crayon occasionally as the garment soaks. When the crayon has faded away, run the garment through a regular load in the washer and rinse.

Instructions for Your Dryer

It is not uncommon for crayons to get run through the wash and into the dryer where they melt all over the clothing and all over your dryer drum. You must clean the drum of the dryer before using it again as any clothing you put into the dryer will be stained with the colored wax. Scrape the crayon off the drum with the old credit card. You may use a blow dryer on a hot setting to melt remaining bits away. Rub clean with a rag. If any stain remains, remove with WD-40 and then wipe the area clean of grease with dishwashing liquid on a rag.