Crayon stains on clothing are very common, especially if you have young kids at home. As a parent, you’ve likely dealt with crayon-stained clothes before and know just how difficult it can be to get the wax out completely.
The good news is that removing crayon stains is possible! With some tried and true methods, as well as a bit of elbow grease, you can successfully remove crayon from clothes and save your child’s favorite outfits. This guide will walk you through the most effective techniques step-by-step.
Gather Your Materials
Before doing anything, gather all of the supplies you’ll need. Having everything ready ahead of time will make the process much smoother. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Iron and ironing board
- Paper towels or rags
- Butter knife or dull table knife
- Baby wipes
- Rubbing alcohol
- Laundry detergent or stain remover spray
Make sure you test any removal methods in an inconspicuous area first since some techniques can damage delicate fabrics.
Scrape Off Excess Crayon
The first step is removing any crayon buildup or chunks. Take your butter knife or dull table knife and gently scrape at the wax to lift off excess pieces that have hardened. Moving in different directions, scrape repeatedly over the stain.
Be cautious not to dig too hard or you may damage the fabric underneath. Some crayon may still remain embedded after scraping.
Iron Over Paper Towels
Next, place several layers of paper towels over the remaining crayon stain. Using your hot iron, press over the paper towels, applying even pressure. The heat will help melt and lift the wax so the paper towels can absorb it.
Lift the towels after 10 seconds and check progress. Replace with fresh sheets and repeat as needed, checking often to prevent scorch marks. The crayon will slowly transfer from the clothing item to the towels.
Use Baby Wipes
Once you’ve removed as much crayon as possible with the iron and towels, it’s time to use baby wipes! The gentle cleaning solution and texture of baby wipes does wonders for getting out remaining pigment.
Gently rub a fresh baby wipe over the stained area, concentrating on any visible color. Reapply pressure for 30 seconds before checking for progress. Repeat this rubbing process with new wipes until no more color comes off.
You can also try lightly brushing baby powder over the stain and gently patting with a wipe. The powder helps pull out staining. Rinse the area afterward if clothing is white to avoid residue.
Apply Rubbing Alcohol
At this stage, many stains will be gone or very faint. For any remaining marks, use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Lightly dab and roll the alcohol over the stain. Avoid aggressively rubbing.
Check after 1 minute – leftover crayon pigment should easily wipe away. Reapply alcohol as needed. This dissolves any last traces of wax and pulls out color.
Treat with Detergent
As a final step, launder the clothing according to its care instructions using your regular laundry detergent or a stain remover spray. Soak for at least 30 minutes before washing.
The chemicals and agitation in the machine will help release the last bits of crayon, if any remain. Avoid the dryer until you can check the garment for stains after washing. Then tumble dry as normal.
And that’s it – you’ve conquered the crayon! With a bit of strategic scraping, melting, wiping and laundering, you can erase a crayon mess from fabric. Using this full proof method, clothes can be saved and stains become a thing of the past.
Tips for Prevention
While getting crayon out of clothes takes some work, preventing stains in the first place is much easier. Here are some useful tips:
Supervise young kids – If toddlers and young children have art time, keep a close eye to redirect coloring to paper only. Praise them when they color appropriately.
Cover surfaces – Use tablecloths or plastic mats under coloring areas to catch stray marks and minimize messes. Newspapers also work.
Wash immediately – If you happen to notice coloring on fabric right away, rinse the area with cold water before treating further. Getting to stains quickly is key.
Use washable crayons – Invest in washable crayon sets which are designed to rinse away more easily in the laundry. Less chance of permanent staining!
Troubleshooting Tips
Even using the best removal methods, some tricky crayon stains hold on tight. If you’ve gone through all the steps but still see leftover marks, try these troubleshooting tweaks:
- Repeat the alcohol dabbing process – really focus on problem spots
- Try hairspray or WD-40 spray to lift color after alcohol
- Make a baking soda paste, apply to the stain for an hour, then rinse
- Set stained item outside in direct sunlight for a day – the sun naturally bleaches
- Purchase a commercial stain remover made specifically for crayon marks
With extra effort and the right products, you should be able to rescue that favorite shirt or dress stained by artistic little ones. Don’t give up hope!
When to Call for Help
While DIY removal methods work well, somesevere crayon stains need professional attention. If you notice:
- Staining down to the fibers or alterations to fabric texture
- Holes, rips or a weakened area around the stain
- Color that remains vibrant after many home treatments
- Astained vintage item or piece requiring specialist care
Then it’s best to enlist a trusted dry cleaner. Specialized solvents and industrial cleaning solutions can eradicate difficult stains that everyday products cannot. This is especially key for delicate fabrics like silks or cashmere.
Yes, professional treatment may cost more. But it can save your most valuable clothing pieces.
I hope this guide gives you everything needed to banish crayon stains for good! With the right supplies and techniques, you can keep your laundry room running smoothly and handle those inevitable childhood mishaps. Here’s to saving clothes and your sanity too.
References
[1] OxiCleanTM Versatile Stain Remover Powder. (n.d.) The Laundress. https://www.thelaundress.com/oxiclean-versa.html
[2] How to Get Crayon Out of Clothes in 10 Easy Steps. (2021, August 11). Good Housekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a24885/how-to-get-crayon-out-of-clothes/
[3] McGuire, K. (2020, February 12). 6 Pro Tips for How to Get Crayon Out of Clothes. The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-remove-crayon-from-clothes-2147271
[4] Hill, E. (2021, March 29). How to Get Crayon Out of Clothes. BobVila.com. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-crayon-out-of-clothes/
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.