How to Get Crayon Off a Wall

By
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler
Erin Huffstetler is a frugal living expert who has been writing for over 10 years about easy ways to save money at home. She's covered money-saving advice and tricks for numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes, among others. She is the owner of "My Frugal Home," a money-saving, frugal living how-to guide.
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and
Kate Van Pelt
Kate Van Pelt, home decor and home improvement expert for The Spruce
Kate Van Pelt
Kate Van Pelt is a contributing writer for The Spruce, based in the PNW. Kate has been a full-time digital content creator for nearly a decade, covering everything from home decor to personal finance.
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Updated on 07/20/22
Reviewed by
Katie Berry
Katie Berry
Reviewed by Katie Berry
Katie Berry is a cleaning expert with 30 years of household management experience and 12 years of writing about cleaning methods and routines for Housewife How-Tos. She is the author of several books about homemaking.
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Fact checked by
Jessica Wrubel
Jessica Wrubel
Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel
Jessica Wrubel has an accomplished background as a writer and copy editor, working for various publications, newspapers and in public libraries assisting with reference, research and special projects. In addition to her journalism experience, she has been educating on health and wellness topics for over 15 years in and outside of the classroom.
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How to Remove Crayon Marks

The Spruce / Adriana Sanchez

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Total Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0-5

Getting rid of crayon marks on the walls can be as easy as using standard household supplies like vinegar or baking soda and an old toothbrush. Read on to learn several home remedies you can use to get crayon off walls.

What to Consider Before Cleaning Crayon Off a Wall

You can use a variety of household items to clean crayon marks off your walls, many of which may already be in your cupboard. However, some products are stronger cleaners than others and could remove more than your child's colorful drawings from the wall.

Before you begin scrubbing away at a stain, test your chosen cleaner in an inconspicuous area. Especially if you're considering a tough or abrasive product to scrub crayon marks from your wall, such as as WD-40 or a disposable cleaning eraser, proceed with care. These items can potentially remove paint, pull ink off of wallpaper, or further stain your wall.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Small bowl
  • Old toothbrush
  • Soft cloths and rags

Materials

  • White vinegar
  • Non-gel toothpaste
  • Baking soda
  • Full-fat mayonnaise

Instructions

Materials and tools to remove crayon marks from wall

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Remove Crayon With Vinegar

Vinegar is an exceptional "green" cleaner for many household chores, but it's also one of the most effective ways to remove crayon from painted walls. The acetic acid in vinegar breaks down the wax and pigment components of the crayon marks, which can can save a lot of scrubbing power! Not to mention, it is inexpensive, non-toxic, and safe on most surfaces.

As mentioned previously, be sure to test your cleaning solution in a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the crayon stain. Not all paints and finishes will react favorably to vinegar, and you might have better luck with one of the alternative options explained below.

Tip

If you're concerned about the smell of vinegar, don't worry! Once the vinegar dries, the smell disappears, and it leaves no lingering odor.

  1. Prepare the Vinegar

    Pour a small amount of undiluted white vinegar into a bowl. Start with 1/2 cup or so, then add more if needed.

    Undiluted white vinegar poured into glass bowl

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Scrub the Surface

    Dip an old toothbrush in the undiluted white vinegar. Use the toothbrush to scrub away the stain. Start gently. If necessary, add more pressure while scrubbing to access any deep crayon marks stuck in the wall texture.

    Old toothbrush scrubbing white vinegar on walls with crayon drawings

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Rinse and Dry

    Once you've removed all the marks, rinse away any remaining vinegar and wipe down the wall with a clean, damp cloth.

    Damp white cloth wiping wall

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Warning

As with any cleanser, use caution when cleaning with vinegar. Avoid all contact with your eyes and prolonged contact with your skin.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is another popular, non-toxic item you can use to remove crayon marks. Since toothpaste is somewhat abrasive, it's perfect for scrubbing away stains. Plus, odds are you already have a tube or two in your bathroom drawer!

  1. Smear the Toothpaste

    Squirt a dollop of toothpaste on your finger, about an inch long. Smear the toothpaste onto the crayon mark. Be sure to rub it in well to fill any cracks or crevices from the wall texture.

    Toothpaste smeared with finger on crayon line

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Scrub the Stain

    Using an old toothbrush or a clean rag, rub the toothpaste into the crayon mark. You should be able to scrub away the stain in a matter of seconds!

    Old toothbrush scrubbing toothpaste over crayon line

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Rinse off the Toothpaste

    To finish, rinse the area well with a soft, damp cloth. If you notice some leftover crayon spots, repeat the steps a second time.

    Toothpaste rinsed off wall with damp white cloth

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Baking Soda

Like vinegar, baking soda is another common household cleaner. This item is even more abrasive than the previous solutions mentioned, which makes it very effective at tackling tough stains. As always, be sure to test the baking soda in an inconspicuous location first to make sure it doesn't damage your paint or wallpaper.

  1. Prepare the Baking Soda

    Begin by pouring a little baking soda into a small bowl. A couple tablespoons should be plenty. Add a little water directly to the bowl to create a paste (similar to toothpaste).

    Baking soda prepared in glass bowl

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Scrub the Crayon

    Using a moist rag, scoop up your baking powder mixture and spread it onto the crayon mark. Feel free to adjust the ratio of water to baking soda as necessary to maintain a paste-like consistency. Scrub the stain gently to remove the crayon marks.

    Baking soda scrubbed on wall with moist rag to remove crayon drawing

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Rinse and Dry

    Once the crayon mark is completely gone, use another clean, damp rag to rinse the area and wipe away any remaining baking soda. Finish the process with a dry rag or paper towel.

    Damp rag wiping wall

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Mayonnaise

If you haven't already pulled a cleaning solution from your bathroom drawer or kitchen cupboard, try the fridge! It may seem unusual, but mayonnaise can also effectively erase crayon marks from painted surfaces.

Tip

We recommend full-fat mayonnaise, since the higher oil content breaks down and removes crayon wax. Just be sure to test it in a discreet area, as you would with any other cleaning solution, since the oil may stain your paint or wallpaper.

  1. Spread the Mayo

    Using your finger, scoop out a dollop of mayo, and smear it across the crayon stain. Scrub it in for a few seconds to be sure it covers the mark completely, then allow the mayo to sit for several minutes.

  2. Wipe With a Damp Cloth

    Once the mayo has set for a short while, wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth. One more wipe with a dry rag or paper towel, and you're good to go!