You surely love our kids for their imagination and creativity but certainly not on your cabinets and table tops.
Dealing with crayon stains on your prized possessions can give you a tough time.
As many methods include using harsh chemicals it might alter the quality of the wood, erode the top surface, and make the surface dull as well.
On the other hand, some methods not only remove crayon marks from wood but also prevents the growth of insects & pests, making your surface clean and keeping it healthy.
Factors To Consider While Selecting The Right Method To Get Crayon Off Wood?
Choosing the proper method for removing crayon marks plays a vital role in the process. There are several factors to consider when selecting the right method for removing crayons from wood:
1. Type of wood:
Different types of wood may react differently to various cleaning methods. Some woods, such as softwoods or those with delicate finishes, may be more prone to damage from heat or solvents.
In these cases, it may be best to use a gentler method, such as baking soda and water.
2. The severity of the crayon marks:
If the crayon marks are relatively light and small, a gentle method such as baking soda and water may be sufficient. If the marks are more severe or widespread, a stronger method such as heat or solvents may be necessary.
3. The type of crayon:
Some crayons are harder to remove than others. If the crayon marks are particularly stubborn, a stronger method such as heat or solvents may be necessary.
4. The location of the crayon marks:
If the crayon marks are in a high-traffic area or are likely to be touched or handled frequently, it may be best to choose a method that is less likely to leave a residue or require frequent reapplication.
In general, it is a good idea to start with the gentlest method and work your way up to stronger methods if necessary.
It is also important to test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure that the chosen method does not damage the wood or finish.
What Are The Methods To Get Crayon Off Wood?
Stain removal methods vary from non-chemical methods like the dry eraser method to chemical-intensive techniques like rubbing alcohol and commercial wood cleaners.
It is a good idea to experiment with different methods to find what works best for your particular situation and to use caution and common sense to avoid damaging the wood or finish.
1. Dry Eraser Method To Remove Crayon Wax From Wood
Among the possible methods of removing crayon wax from wood surfaces, the dry eraser method is one of the most common methods.
The dry eraser is sometimes called a dry “magic” eraser, consisting of super fine sandpaper blocks. Even if the wax is too thick, this method will help in many ways.
This method can be performed by following steps:
- Rub the wooden surface with dry clothes gently. This step is performed so that the excess crayon wax comes off quickly. In this step, dry clothes such as towels or tissue paper are preferred.
- After rasping most of the wax, a white eraser is taken, and then the eraser is rubbed on the surface very boldly to remove the stain or color.
Hence, this method can be performed easily and in very few amounts of time. If the stains are too stubborn to get rid of, this eraser is dipped in warm water and squeezed before applying it to the wooden surface.
Safety Measures & Precaution Tips
Also, a few tips must be kept in mind while proceeding with this method.
Firstly, this process can harm the wooden surface, so it must be carefully used until it does not seem to chisel out the wood.
Secondly, this may not be suitable for certain homeowners as they may hurt themselves with sandpaper. Thus, they must be extra careful if children are in their surroundings.
Another non-chemical method includes blowing and drying the stain, basically heating it till it melts and swiping it off with a kitchen towel. But this requires one to give a plug point near the wood surface and hence is not viable for all scenarios.
2. Use Soap & Water To Clean Crayon Off the Wood
Implementation of this method is probably the easiest of all, because of the simplest ingredients that are usually available in every household. It cleans the affected area like magic and gives it a look as good as new.
- A bucket of water, ideally warm, and dish soap, preferably liquid so that there is no oily residue, is required.
- A solution is prepared using the ingredients above; make sure the dish soap is not added too much, as it may leave a slimy residue on your furniture
- A clean kitchen towel is dipped in the solution mentioned above and rubbed over the affected area, it does require some force to take the crayon stain off, but if the pressure is not controlled, it may chip off the wooden surface here and there.
- A dry cloth is taken to wipe off the excess water and dish soap residue and to give the surface a clean and new look.
Safety Measures & Precaution Tips
This method uses the most common household supplies for stain removal, which makes this method viable and economical. Still, it has a few checkpoints that shouldn’t be overlooked as they may damage the concerned surface.
The force should be in control while scrubbing, and the amount of dish soap should not be too much as it can form a slimy glaze on the surface which can be very unpleasant for the furniture.
One should also check their dish soap’s chemicals before making the solution and applying it on the surface, as the wood might be sensitive to it and get spoiled.
What are the drawbacks of this method?
One of the other significant issues faced while proceeding with this method is the damage that the water makes to the wood. Using excessive amounts of water results in breakage in wooden materials.
Hence, homeowners must keep this drawback in mind while approaching this method.
To prevent this kind of breakage in wood, sponge scrubs are often used instead of damp clothes, and the exposure of water to the wood is also maintained.
3. Use Baking Soda To Get Crayon Off the Wood
As an alternative to using harsh chemicals, this method is quite common. However baking soda paste also helps to remove the stains.
Since baking soda is a bit corrosive, it must be handled with care, and gloves are recommended. A paste is made out of baking soda and water and directly applied to the necessary area. The paste breaks down the wax and removes it.
A dry cloth should be used to remove the residual paste to avoid any after smell and wood damage, and a patch is advised for this method as baking soda is reactive.
Also, the amount of baking soda should not exceed 14g as it may negatively affect the skin and the top surface.
4. Rubbing Alcohol For Removal Of Crayon From Wood
This method uses a mild chemical; thus, the user should be careful and take the necessary precautions before performing the step.
Alcohol has chemical properties that can break down the wax and remove it from the surface. Sometimes, if the alcohol is strong enough, it can cause permanent damage to the wooden surface.
It is advised to use gloves during this method to avoid direct skin contact with alcohol, which can affect the skin. Also, a patch test should be done first before applying the alcohol to the surface.
What is Patch Test?
A small amount of rubbing alcohol is dropped on the wooden surface to check the reactivity first. This is called a patch test.
This is the most crucial precautionary step that homeowners need to perform before proceeding further. If the results are negative, it is advised not to go further with this method and look for a milder alcohol or any other non-chemical method like the dry eraser method, as it can permanently damage the surface.
Follow these steps to get the crayon off the wood:
- Conduct a patch test first.
- If the patch test is successful, then the rubbing alcohol is directly applied to the affected area and is allowed to settle down for a bit so that it can breakdown the chemical wax
- A wet wipe or cotton pad is used to wipe off the excess alcohol. If excess amounts of alcohol flood the wooden surface and remain for a few minutes, the wood may start breaking.
- A clean, dry cloth is used one last time to clean the surface thoroughly. The homeowners must make sure that there are no traces of alcohol after removing the crayon wax from the wooden surface.
Are there any drawbacks to this method?
Major complaints about this method include permanent furniture damage; hence the patch test should not be skipped for best results.
Instead of using alcohol, the lemon essential oil can also be used to do the needful. A few drops should be taken on a clean piece of cloth or cotton pad and should be used to scrub off the wax from the surface.
Using gloves is necessary as essential oils tend to cause itchiness and irritation. Undiluted essential oils are very strong chemicals and can also tend to alter the wood quality, so a patch test is very necessary for these products.
5. Use Vinegar To Clean Crayon Stains
Another recommended method is using vinegar, which has acidic properties; it efficiently breaks down the wax but has a pungent after-use smell.
This method requires direct application, patch tests, and gloves to avoid hazards and get the best results.
6. Use Non-Gel Toothpaste To Get Off Crayon Stains
Non-gel toothpaste can also be used as they are abrasive and can break down the crayon stain. To avoid discoloration of wood, using non-whitening kinds of toothpaste is a must.
This method also demands direct application and patch testing.
7. Use Mayonnaise To Remove Crayon Stain From the Wood
Mayonnaise is another common household item that can be used to remove stains. It works somewhat like a lubricant but is easier to clean, and the fat content of mayonnaise helps in penetrating through the wax.
Finally, for its removal, a direct application should be avoided, and a cloth should be used for applying the mayo. Light mayo can also be used, but it would be more time-consuming.
8. Use Commercial Wood Cleaner
It is common to hear that all-purpose wood cleaners or furniture polish can remove any stain from wooden furniture, and it is beneficial in this case, also.
Nowadays, the market is flooded with certain commercial cleaners, but choosing the best cleaner with the perfect pH balance that won’t harm the wood is difficult.
So, selecting the best one by observing the rating of the product is recommended because advertisements may seem appropriate. Still, with varying quality of wooden materials, the usefulness of the cleaners varies widely.
The following steps are useful to proceed with this method:
- A few drops of the wood cleaner must be sprinkled over the crayon wax, and then the cleaner will be soaked by the stain for a few minutes.
- With the help of some paper towel or tissue paper, the cleaner must be spread all over the strain and then left untouched for some time in the air.
- When it becomes a little dry, the paper towel has to be rubbed gently, and then the wax will come off.
This process can be time-saving. However, it may not be able to erase the stain or the color of the crayon properly sometimes.
What are the drawbacks of this method?
Several homeowners have complained that the harsh chemicals have deteriorated their wood’s quality. Now, this is a considerable drawback of the wood cleaners that are found in today’s market.
Also, if the wood is exposed to these chemicals in sunlight or for a longer time, it will be harmful. Since several unfavorable chemicals are present in these wood cleaners, they may cause itching or infection to the users also.
To avoid this, users must wash their hands properly after exposure or wear gloves as a precautionary measure.
Commercial lubricants can also be used. However, the amount should not be much as it will affect the wood quality. To wipe off excess lubricant a clean cloth dipped in soapy water must be used.
Conclusion
Crayon stains on wooden surfaces are a prevalent problem people face, especially those parents who have toddlers who love their color sets. Along with the most common methods mentioned above, a few more processes can be used to eradicate stains.
We should be careful while choosing the methods and have proper knowledge of the products we use to get the best results.
If using chemical-intensive methods, patch test and gloves is a must, along with going through the ingredient list and having an overall idea about how your wood reacts with those chemicals.
