Colorful creativity with some brightly colored crayons can sometimes lead to unexpected messes and wreak havoc in your life, like melted crayon mishaps. Whether it’s a crayon forgotten in a pocket or an artistic adventure gone awry, finding abandoned crayons on surfaces and clothes can be a sticky situation.
Thankfully today, I’m going to show you how to remove melted crayon easily.
Did you even know that a crayon mentls pretty easily? Yep, when a crayong is left in a hot car, the crayon melts!
These are tried-and-true methods to rescue your fabrics, furniture, and more from waxy encounters.
With a few simple steps, you can transform those crayon-covered surfaces back to their pristine state. Let’s dive into the colorful world of crayon cleanup and discover how to make those stubborn stains a thing of the past.
Though it can seem tricky to remove crayon stains, it’s not impossible.
Here are some tips and tricks on how to remove melted crayon from different fabrics and surfaces.
These easy-to-apply tricks will help you keep your fabrics and furniture free from crayon stains once and for all.
How to Remove Melted Crayon Key Takeaways
- Don’t put the stained garment into the wash, it needs to be pretreated first.
- Pretreat, soak, rinse and wash to remove melted crayons.
- To remove melted crayon wax, freeze the garment, then scrape off the hard wax, use an iron and paper towel to remove residue, and then follow the stain removal steps below.
- To remove dried crayon wax, scrape off excess wax, use an iron and paper towel to remove residue, apply dish soap, and use a heavy soil setting in your washing machine.
#1 Freezing and Scraping Off Excess Crayon Wax
Start by freezing the area that has the melted crayon stain. By placing a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and holding it against the crayon stain for a few minutes, you’ll be able to harden the wax, making it easier to remove.
Once the wax has hardened, use a dull knife or the edge of a credit card to gently scrape off as much of the crayon wax as possible. Be careful not to damage the fabric or surface while scraping. If the stain persists after the initial scraping, you can try using an r more ice to further loosen the melted crayon wax.
After removing the excess wax, follow these steps to clean the area:
- Moisten a paper towel or clean cloth with warm water and mild dish soap.
- Use the damp cloth to carefully scrub the area.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Use a sponge or soft-bristled brush to scrub the area for a flawless finish.
#2 Pretreating the Melted Crayon Stain
Pretreating the crayon stain serves as a vital part of the removal process. To do this, follow these steps:
- Apply a tablespoon of liquid dish soap to the stain using a folded white paper towel.
- Gently rub the dish soap into the stain with an old toothbrush or a clean magic eraser.
- The dish soap will help break down the crayon wax, making it easier to remove from the fabric or surface.
- Rinse with warm water.
While pretreating the stain, be cautious not to rub too hard, as this could damage the fabric, you want to just gently scrape the wax away. The goal is to break down the wax without causing any further damage. If the crayon stain remains after the initial pretreatment, you can try repeating the process until its gone.
The stain should now be much less noticeable, and you’ll be one step closer to restoring your fabric or surface to its original state.
#3 Soaking the Affected Fabric
Once the stain is pretreated, proceed by soaking the affected fabric thoroughly. Here’s how:
- Fill a sink or bucket with warm water.
- Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the water.
- Submerge the stained fabric in the soaking solution, ensuring that the entire stained area is covered.
Allow the fabric to soak for at least one hour. This will help to loosen any remaining crayon residue and make it easier to remove during the rinsing and washing process.
After soaking, carefully remove the fabric from the mixture and rinse it with cold water.
#4 Rinsing and Washing the Garment
Now that the stain has been pretreated and soaked, we’re going to process to proceed to rinse and machine wash the garment.
- To begin, rinse the fabric under warm running water to remove any remaining dish soap and crayon residue.
- Make sure to double-check that all dish soap has been removed before proceeding to the next step.
- Next, machine wash the garment on a heavy soil setting with regular laundry detergent and warm water.
- If you’re washing colored clothes with crayon stains, add 1/2 cup of color-safe oxygenated bleach or baking soda. For white clothes, add ½ cup of chlorine bleach to the bleach dispenser.
- After the washing cycle is complete, inspect the garment to ensure that the stain has been successfully removed.
If any trace of the crayon stain remains, you may need to repeat the pretreatment, soaking, and washing process until the stain is completely gone.
Line Drying and Repeating Steps if Necessary
Opt to air dry the item instead of using a dryer to prevent any remaining stain from setting in. This will prevent the heat from the dryer from further embedding the stain into the fabric. Once the item is dry, inspect it closely to see if the stain has faded away.
If the stain persists after drying, don’t despair! You can try repeating the steps outlined above, from freezing and scraping to soaking and washing, until the crayon stain is completely removed. It may take a few attempts, but with persistence and patience, your fabric will eventually be stain-free.
Removing Crayon Stains from Carpets, Upholstery, and Car Seats
Children enjoy coloring during lengthy car trips. It can be the perfect way to entertain them when going on vacation or simply when you take a road trip somewhere.
Though these crayons certainly have their upside that merits taking them along, they also have some downsides. Unfortunately, crayons left in the sun melt in the heat, leaving a waxy mess in the car!
If you have just arrived back from your trip to find melted crayons on the car seats, don’t worry! They can be removed!
Removing crayon stains from carpets, upholstery, and car seats can be tricky, but not impossible!
How to remove melted crayon from carpets, upholstery, or car seats:
- Start by placing a plastic bag filled with ice on the melted crayon wax for at least 30 minutes. This will harden the wax and make it easier to remove.
- Next, use a dull knife to carefully remove the large chunks of crayon wax from the surface. Be cautious not to damage the fabric or surface while scraping.
- To remove any remaining crayon residue, use a damp cloth and gently scrape off the leather or carefully dab at the fabric until the crayon wax is gone.
In some cases, you may need to use a stain remover to tackle any remaining crayon stains.
Here’s how to do if that happens:
- Apply a generous amount of stain remover to the affected area, following the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.
- Allow the stain remover or carpet cleaner to sit for a few moments.
- Gently blot the stain remover with a clean cloth or paper towels.
- Repeat until the stained area is no more
By following these steps, you should be able to effectively remove crayon stains from carpets, upholstery, and car seats, restoring the surfaces to their original condition.
Dealing with Melted Crayon in Your Dryer Drum
Finding melted crayon in your dryer drum can be quite frustrating. However, I am going to show you the best way to remove crayon from your dryer drum.
To remove melted crayon from the dryer drum, follow these steps:
- Spray a small amount of oil spray (WD40 works well) onto the crayon residue and let it sit for a few moments.
- Use a plastic scraper to gently remove the softened crayon wax from the drum.
- Wipe down the drum with a damp cloth and warm water to ensure a clean dryr drum.
Alternative Cleaning Methods and Products
Sometimes, conventional cleaning methods may prove insufficient in removing stubborn crayon stains. In these situations, it’s worth exploring alternative cleaning methods and products.
Here are some alternative products you can try:
- mayonnaise
- cooking oil
- butter
- WD-40 spray
Pretreating melted crayon stains on clothes can be effective at tackling regular crayon stains as well.
Mayonnaise can also be a great solution for removing crayon marks from painted walls. Simply apply a small amount of mayonnaise to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently wipe it away with a clean cloth.
Another alternative cleaning method involves using a mixture of vinegar and Dawn dish soap. This combination can be particularly effective at removing crayon stains from clothes, especially when combined with the pretreatment, soaking, and washing steps outlined earlier in this article.
Preventing Melted Crayon Disasters
You can take a few simple steps to (hopefully) stop future incidents of melted crayon disasters. First, always check pockets for any forgotten crayons before washing both you and your kids clothes. This simple step can save you a lot of hassle and frustration in the long run.
Additionally, using a laundry bag for small items can help safeguard them from melted crayon disasters during the washing process.
When we were traveling in an RV, obviously we spent a lot of time driving. I would place plastic cups (the red ones worked well) in their cup holder and had the kids put their crayons in there. I must say, that worked pretty well.
Gathering the Right Tools
Before you start the removal process, make sure you have everything you need. For this task, you’ll need:
- A dull knife
- Liquid dish soap
- An old toothbrush
- Ice
- A plastic bag
- Store-bought stain removers
- A bowl or bucket
Remember to scrub the affected area gently to avoid damaging the fabric.
How to Remove Melted Crayon Summary
In conclusion, removing melted crayon stains from clothes, upholstery, and other surfaces may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools, techniques, and persistence, it’s possible to restore your fabrics and surfaces to their original state. By following the steps outlined in this article and exploring alternative cleaning methods and products when necessary, you can tackle even the most stubborn crayon stains with confidence.
Remember that prevention is key, so take the time to check pockets, use a laundry bag for small items, and teach children about proper crayon storage and use. With these measures in place, you’ll be well-equipped to prevent future melted crayon disasters and enjoy a stain-free home and wardrobe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does melted crayon come out?
If you take the right steps, melted crayon can be removed from fabric. First, scrape off as much crayon as possible. Then, apply liquid dish soap or laundry detergent and work it into the stained area. Finally, let it stand a few minutes and rub fabric under warm water to remove the stain.
How do you get melted crayon off a cup holder?
Spray degreaser on the cup holder to loosen the melted crayon, then scrape away with a butter knife or dry detergent. Use a hair dryer or a fabric steamer to heat up the remaining wax and wipe it off with a damp cloth. With a bit of elbow grease, your cup holder will be as good as new!
How to get melted crayon out of clothes?
Remove melted crayon from clothes by chill the stain with ice, gently scraping off excess wax, applying dish soap to pretreat the stain, and soaking for at least an hour. Finish by washing in hot water with a laundry detergent and adding 1 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle.
Raising toddlers can be hard, but cleaning up after them doesn’t have to be!
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Grainne Foley
Grainne Foley is a wife and mother of 2 great kids. During her 5 years of full time RV travel, Grainne learned to become very efficient at household chores, in order to make time for family adventures. Now, back in a house, she has continued to create tools and techniques to help others lighten the load of household organization and cleaning.
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