How to Remove Crayon from Wood

If you have kids, then you know that seeing crayon stains on your walls and wooden furniture is not something new. 

If you're a first-time parent or guardian and your kids are messing up various wood furniture pieces or wooden walls or floors with crayon, there are a couple of things you can do to remedy the mess! 

In this article, we will discuss in step-by-step fashion how you can conveniently remove crayon from any wood, regardless of type and structure. 

5 Foolproof Methods for Removing Crayon Marks

Removing crayon from wood goes way beyond just dusting stains off of wood. In order to successfully remove crayon stains, you’ll need to implore several tactics and make use of the right materials to get the job done. 

Also, you need to understand what type of wood surface you're working with. Is it flat or textured? Though less important than other factors that play in crayon removal, this is an important fact that you need to take into consideration when choosing the best stain remedy. 

To help you out, we’ll take about 5 different ways you can comfortably remove crayon from wood right from the comfort of your home. 

Method 1: Use a Magic Eraser 

To use a Magic Eraser to remove crayon stains, you’ll be needing the following items: 

  • Magic eraser 
  • Clean, warm water 

Step 1 

The first step is to run your Magic Eraser under warm water. Allow the eraser to become completely soaked before you turn off the water. 

Once it is completely soaked, turn off the running water, then squeeze the eraser to remove any excess water. You can get a magic eraser in the cleaning section of practically any store, including Target and Walmart. Hot or warm water is advised because it will help the crayon wax to melt completely off your wood. 

Step 2 

You wouldn't want this eraser ruining the finishing on your wood, would you? Certainly not. To prevent that from happening, the second step is important. You need to test the magic eraser to see if it leaves any stain or damages on the finishing of your wood. However, if your wood is an unfinished one, you may have to skip this step. 

To test this, you need to gently scrub the eraser on the wood, applying a little pressure to it. If there's no damage to the finishing of your wood, you may then proceed to use it to remove crayon from your furniture, flooring, or wall. However, if the eraser leaves a big stain on your wood, you may need to try out another cleaning method. 

Step 3 

The next step is to scrub the eraser on the stained wood. You need to hold the eraser over the wood. The idea behind this is to let the heat emanating from the eraser melt the wax. Hold it in that position for seconds, then begin to scrub in circular motions. 

Keep doing this until all crayon stains are removed completely from your woodblock. If there are a lot of stains, there's a tendency that the eraser will get dirty. If that happens, you're advised to flip it over and make use of the other side. 

Continue to do this until you remove the stains completely. Once that is done, leave the wood to dry off on its own or you can use a clean, soft rag to wipe away any moisture. 

Method 2: Use a Blow Dryer 

For this method, you will be needing the following essentials: 

Blow Dryer
  • Blow dryer - the most important piece of equipment for this job 
  • Baby wipes 
  • Clean cloth 

Step 1 

There are a ton of blow dryers available for purchase on the market. Since you're not carrying out a sophisticated job, you simply need a basic dryer. So, opt for one that comes with all the heat settings at an affordable price (or just use the blow dryer you have in the bathroom). 

The first step is to heat the dryer. To do this, you need to plug this dryer into any electrical outlet or socket that's closer to the wood you're trying to get crayon stains off. The dryer should be about 6 inches from the wooden surface you're trying to clean. 

Use the lowest heat setting. This is to ensure that you do not damage the wood. The idea behind using the blow dryer is to melt the crayon wax from the wood so that you can easily wipe it off. 

Step 2 

Once your dryer is turned on and at the lowest heat setting, you need to hold it 6 inches away from the wooden surface you're working on. As you continue to try to melt the wax from the wood by heating it, you need to use a baby wipe to clean the marks off the wood. 

Continue to do this in a circular motion. If one side of the wipe gets dirty, flip it over and continue with the other side. For efficiency, it is advised that you alternate between melting the wax off with the dryer and cleaning off stains with the wipe. 

Baby wipes are ideal for this job because they come with a soft cleanser, ensuring that they leave no stain on your wall, furniture, or floor, even after scrubbing for a long time. As we mentioned earlier, you’ll want to test this cleaning method in an inconspicuous area of the wooden surface. 

Step 3 

Once you notice that most parts of the crayon stains have melted away, you need to clean it off with a clean cloth. The ideal cloth for this task is a microfiber one. 

As you wipe with this cloth, you need to focus on those tiny stains that may still be left on the wood. If you try wiping them off and they refuse to come off, you’ll have to heat the area again with your dryer. 

Continue to do this until even the stain is removed completely. 

Method 3: Use Toothpaste and Baking Soda 

For this cleaning method, you will be needing the following materials: 

  • Toothpaste 
  • Baking soda 
  • Clean cloth
  • Toothbrush 
  • Warm water in a bowl 

Step 1 

For this method, it is advised you make use of white toothpaste, so you don't leave any other stain on the wood you're trying to clean. Squeeze a portion of the paste into the wood and smear it all over the crayon stains. Ensure that the paste gets to all the stained parts of the wood. 

When shopping for the right toothpaste for this task, it is advised that you settle for one with a label that reads “tooth whitening” and this is because most of them contain baking soda and are capable of breaking down crayon stains easily. 

Once you've covered the stained parts with toothpaste, you have to leave it for a couple of minutes, then rinse off completely with water. You may use a clean cloth to dry off the wood or leave it to dry itself. 

Step 2 

You need to make a paste of baking soda to efficiently clean off these tough stains. To get started, you would need to mix one tablespoon of baking soda and a tiny cup of water in a tiny dish. Once you do that, use a toothbrush to mix and stir the solution together until it becomes a paste-like solution. 

Depending on the intensity of the stain on the wood, you may need to replace water with vinegar to get the best cleaning material. Like always, once you're done making this mixture, it is advised that you test it out on a hidden part of the wood to ensure that it doesn't cause any damage. 

If it does any damage to the wood, then you may have to try out other removal methods. 

Step 3 

Once you've tested the solution and it looks good on the wood, the next thing to do would be to dip the toothbrush into the solution, and run over the crayon stains, gently scrubbing. Do this in a circular motion until all the stains are covered in baking soda  

If you need to apply more paste to the stains, dip the toothbrush first into warm water before dipping into the solution. This will take off all the accumulated stains, further ensuring that you do not stain the woodblock. The toothbrush you make use of should be only for cleaning purposes. It goes without saying that you don’t want to be using your personal toothbrush for this. 

Method 4: Use WD-40 

This special product has been built to enable you to get crayon stains off wooden furniture, walls and other surfaces easily. To get this task completed here's what's you will be needing: 

  • WD-40 
  • Clean cloth 
Liquid dish soap

Step 1 

To get started, spray a part of this solution into a clean cloth. If there's no soft cloth around, a paper towel will suffice. Rub the crayon stain with the paper towel or cloth. Rub it over all the stained parts of the wood. 

In most cases, once this solution is sprayed, the stains come off immediately. However, if that's not the case with you, then it means we're dealing with tougher stains here. For those tough stains, fortunately, WD-40 has what is referred to as a “no-mess pen”. This one has been identified as a perfect tool for removing crayon stains on your woodblocks and other surfaces. 

For those tougher stains, simply use this pen to erase them. One of the main features of this pen is that it is less messy. While the WD-40 will do a good job, some of the time, it may leave tiny stains on your woodblocks or walls. The pen, on the other hand, is a mess-free tool that leaves no additional stain on your wall. The best tool for this task will depend on the type of crayon stains on your wood. You would have to decide which is best for you. 

If you opt for this removal method, then you would have to use an oily residue to clean off the wood once you're done getting off the crayon stains. While you're at, ensure that no stains are left on the floor or a piece of fabric as they are harder to get off on fabric than on wooden surfaces or walls. As a precautionary measure, lay down a couple of rags on the floor to prevent them from staining the ground. 

Method 5: Homemade Removal Method 

This method, as the name implies, is the use of certain home items to remove crayon stains from wooden surfaces. For this removal method, we’ll be using mayonnaise. These are the items you will be needing for this project: 

  • Mayonnaise 
  • Liquid dish soap 
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Butter knife or spoon 

Step 1

To get started, you need to apply a portion of mayonnaise on the crayon stained part of the wood and wait for approximately five minutes. You do not need to buy a special mayonnaise for this removal method, any kind will work regardless of the brand. 

Use the butter knife or spoon to spread the mayonnaise on the crayon stained parts of the wood. As mentioned earlier, it should sit for at least five minutes. The idea behind this is for the oil in the mayonnaise to melt away the crayon wax. While you're at it, ensure that you do not scratch the wooden surface. 

Once the five minutes are up, use a clean cloth to wipe away the mayonnaise from the wood. It is advised that you apply pressure while wiping, so that tough stains can be removed. If you can still see tiny crayon stains on the wood, you need to re-do this until even the tiniest stain is removed. 

Finally, soak a clean cloth in water and wash off the wood completely. 

Conclusion

Removing crayon stains from wood over the years has become one of the easiest things to do. With various woodworkers trying out various removal methods, there are a ton of them to choose from. 

This article has discussed 5 different removal methods you can choose from to get those stains off your wood and other surfaces, as well. 

Last Updated on January 7, 2021 by Tom Bradly

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Tom Bradly
 

My entrepreneurial journey started in 2006, when I dropped out of university. I wanted to work with my hands, to build things. Now I mix my background with computers with my first-hand experience with woodworking to provide insights into the tools I like best. I love everything about woodworking and have been building stuff for over 20 years of my life. I hope to pass some knowledge and expertise. See more at TomBradly.com

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