Removing Crayon Stains from Painted Walls

Crayon stains can appear to be very severe and problematic when they show up on walls or the floor. However, if you have a young child who has taken to drawing on walls with his or her crayons, you need not fear. Crayon stains can generally be removed entirely from painted walls. If you can't remove the stain completely, you can at the very least lighten it significantly so that it will not be as visible. Read on for a brief how-to guide on removing crayon stains from painted walls in your home.

Step 1 -- Spray the Stain Down With Lubricant

Begin by spraying the stain with the lubricating fluid. Use a fair amount of the fluid so that you can be sure that the entire stain is covered. Do not spread the fluid around with a rag or other item at this point, but rather just let it wash over the stain completely. You'll need to allow the stain to completely soak up the fluid. This typically takes about 3 minutes.

Step 2 -- Wipe the Stain

Use a clean cloth to thoroughly wipe down the stained area. This should clean up any of the lubricating liquid that was spilled in the area, as well provide you with a chance to remove the first layers of the stain. After you've completely wiped up the stained area, check the stain to see if you were successful at removing any of the crayon material from the painted wall. If the stain is gone or if it's sufficiently reduced, stop at this point; otherwise, continue to step 3.

Step 3 -- Wash the Area With Liquid Dishwashing Detergent

Mix three parts warm water with one part liquid dishwashing detergent in a bowl. Use a cloth to apply the detergent mixture generously to the stained area. Before the detergent solution can sit on the stained area at all, use a large sponge to scrub at the stained area. Apply pressure with the sponge to really work into the wall so that you can successfully remove the stain.

When you're through, wash the wall with regular water and once again examine the stained area. If the stain still remains in some form, repeat this process again with a mixture that is half water and half liquid dishwashing detergent.

Between these steps, most crayon stains will be thoroughly removed from a painted wall. Be sure to step back a few feet to be able to determine whether the crayon stain is still visible. In many cases, even a largely faded crayon stain will be acceptable, because you won't be able to see it from a distance. The tools necessary for this project are available at hardware and home improvement stores.