If you’ve just discovered big bright crayon stains somewhere they don’t belong, don’t despair and throw out your little Picasso’s crayons. This article will show you how to get crayons out of clothes and other fabrics using all-natural, chemical-free methods, with items that you probably already have lying around your home.
Imagine for a moment that you come home from work and your child has crushed crayons into the carpet, or even worse, they have managed to melt crayons into your brand new pair of pants. Just what you needed, right?
The good news is, melted crayons are not as much of a disaster as you might think. You can actually get crayon out of clothes, fabric, and even your washing machine with a few simple methods. Let’s get started.
How to get crayon stains out of clothes
#1 The Dish Soap Method
With any stain, it is always best to deal with it while it’s still fresh. However, we all know this is not always possible. Not to worry. To try to get crayon out of clothes, first check the care label of the fabric making sure it is not a dry-clean only material. Then scrape off the piece of crayon with a butter knife or popsicle stick. You‘ll want to make sure it is not sharp, as you want to avoid damaging the fabric. Next, add a little dollop of mild dishwashing detergent (you can try this homemade dish soap) and gently rub in circular motions with your fingernail or a toothbrush. At this point, no water is necessary. Let the soap sit for a few minutes on the stain, before running it under warm water or soaking it in warm water for up to an hour. Then wash according to the clothing label.
#2 Ice and Wax Paper Method
This method works especially well to get dried and hardened crayon stains out of clothes and fabrics. Place ice on the crayon stain to allow it to cool. You could even put the fabric directly into the freezer in order to set the wax. Once the crayon stain has thoroughly cooled, take a piece of wax paper and place it over the stain. Next, put a tea towel over the wax paper and plug in your iron. When the iron has heated, gently set it on top of the towel and wax paper, and at this point, the crayon should start to stick to the wax paper. This could take a few tries and a little bit of patience, but hopefully, the crayon stain will eventually lift onto the wax paper. If there’s still traces of the stain, use the dish soap method.
Getting crayon out of car upholstery
Getting melted crayon out of car upholstery – or any upholstery, for that matter, can be tricky because you can’t just throw the fabric into the washing machine. First, try to gently scrape any dried crayon stains of the fabric. Then try the method below.
#3 Gall Soap Method
Gall soap can be purchased in most grocery stores or online and also comes as a vegan option. It is relatively inexpensive and great at removing crayon wax from car upholstery. This method requires a bit of warm water and a bar of (vegan) Gall soap. Simply blot the stain with warm water and rub the Gall soap on the wax stain. Let the stain sit for a few minutes, and then blot it with a dry rag. Finally, either air dry it, or if pressed for time, use a hairdryer.
Here are some more tips on how to clean upholstery: DIY Upholstery Cleaner: Deep Cleaning Your Furniture
How to get melted crayon out of a washing machine or dryer drum
If crayon has melted into your washing machine or dryer drum it will probably continue to destroy your clothes. Luckily, there’s a quick and easy method to get the melted crayon out.
#4 Vinegar and Baking Soda Method
To start out, you need some white vinegar, baking soda, and some old towels. Rub some vinegar onto the stain with the old towel. Sometimes, using only the vinegar is enough to remove the crayon wax. If it is a stubborn stain or has been baked onto the dryer drum, add a bit of baking soda. In combination with the vinegar, it should form a kind of paste. With a bit of elbow grease and wiping in a circular motion, the wax should easily start to dissolve.
There you have it. These are some simple straightforward methods for how to remove melted crayon stains. Using household items and environmentally-friendly ingredients will hopefully save you some dollars on expensive and often aggressive chemical cleaners. Now your family can keep creating Picasso moments without you having to buy a new rug.
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