Kids are naturally curious and imaginative — it’s all part of growing up.
But it’s a little less cute when their creativity shows up as crayon doodles on your walls!
Fortunately, getting rid of crayon marks is quite easy.
If you’re wondering what gets crayon off walls, the answer is simple: heat (and some elbow grease).
Grab a hair dryer, set it to low heat, and aim it at the stain to melt the wax.
If that doesn’t work, try baking soda or white vinegar. These mild options can get crayon off walls without removing paint.
Hair Dryer Method | Gentle Solutions | Commercial Products | Tips To Keep Walls Crayon-Free
Before Tackling Crayon Marks
How easily crayon marks come off your wall depends on the type of surface or the paint used.
For instance, glossy or semi-gloss paint is quite easy to clean.
On the other hand, crayon can stick to porous surfaces like brick, matte paint, and unsealed wood.
Moreover, be very careful with wallpaper. Try to avoid liquid cleaners except on vinyl, which is often washable.
Before cleaning your wall, test your chosen method on a small, hidden area to make sure it won’t cause damage.
It’s also best to skip anything abrasive like steel wool and harsh chemicals like bleach.
How to Get Crayon Off Walls: The Hair Dryer Method
A hair dryer is usually the best solution to remove crayon from walls!
It works because crayons are typically made from wax, which melts easily with heat.
For this method, here’s what you’ll need:
- Dish soap
- Hair dryer
- Warm water
- Paper towels or a clean cloth
STEP 1: Dust the surface with a feather duster or a microfibre cloth so you don’t spread dirt while cleaning.
STEP 2: Hold the hair dryer about 10–15cm away from the wall, then set it to low or medium heat.
STEP 3: Warm the area until the crayon starts to look shiny and soft. This should take about a minute.
STEP 4: Gently blot the melted wax with a paper towel or cloth. Use a fresh paper towel (or a clean part of your cloth) each time you blot to avoid spreading the stain.
Do not scrub, as this can smear the wax or push it deeper into the paint!
STEP 5: Repeat the process until the crayon marks are gone.
STEP 6: Wipe off any crayon residue with a cloth dampened in warm, soapy water. Follow up with another damp, clean rag.
STEP 7: When you’re done, wipe the wall dry or let it air dry completely.
How to Remove Crayon From Walls Using Gentle Solutions
If the hair dryer method didn’t work or there are still traces of crayon on the wall, don’t stress!
These gentle cleaning solutions can get crayon off your wall without damaging the paint beneath.
1. Baking soda
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help remove crayon marks from walls.
Put a small amount of baking soda into a bowl. Add a little water to make a thick paste.
Dip a soft cloth into the baking soda paste, then use it to gently rub the crayon mark in small circles.
Rotate the cloth as you go, so you’re using a clean section each time.
When the crayon stains are gone, wipe off the baking soda residue with a clean, damp rag.
2. Dish soap + warm water
A mixture of warm water and a few drops of liquid dish soap can remove crayon from walls.
Do not use very hot water — you don’t want to ruin the paint or burn your hands!
Dip a soft rag or sponge into the soapy water. Wring it out so it’s damp, not dripping.
Gently wipe the crayon marks in tiny, circular motions. Work in sections to avoid smudging the wax.
Once the surface is clear, wipe off any soap residue with a cloth dampened with plain water.
3. White vinegar
Good old white vinegar isn’t just for the kitchen. It can also help tackle crayon marks on walls!
Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle.
Hold an old towel underneath the stain to catch any drips. Then, spritz the solution onto the crayon marks.
Let it sit for a few seconds, then gently scrub with an old toothbrush.
After cleaning up the stain, remove any vinegar residue with a damp cloth.
If the diluted mix isn’t strong enough, try using undiluted vinegar.
4. Toothpaste
Toothpaste can help get crayon off your walls — just make sure it’s a plain white, non-gel toothpaste!
Skip coloured types, as these might stain or discolour the surface.
Squeeze a little toothpaste directly onto the crayon marks or onto a soft, old toothbrush.
Gently scrub the area in circles until the marks start to fade.
Once you’re done, wipe away any leftover toothpaste with a damp cloth.
TIP: For tough crayon marks (or even permanent marker stains), try mixing toothpaste with baking soda.
How to Get Crayon off The Wall Using Commercial Products
If gentle cleaners didn’t help, there are commercial products you can use.
Be sure to keep the area well-ventilated while using them, as some formulas may be strong.
Always do a spot test first, and follow the directions on the label.
Lastly, don’t forget to wear gloves and a mask for safety!
1. All-purpose cleaners
An all-purpose cleaner — like Goo Gone or The Pink Stuff — can often lift crayon marks off walls.
Use a soft cloth or sponge to apply the cleaner onto the marks.
Work in small sections and avoid scrubbing too hard, as some cleaners can dull paint.
Once the mark lifts, wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
2. Magic eraser
For tiny crayon marks, a magic eraser can be effective!
Just note that it’s slightly abrasive and might strip some of the paint, so avoid using it on large stains.
Dampen a small section of the magic eraser and squeeze out any excess water.
Gently rub the damp part over the crayon mark, avoiding the clean area around it.
Once the crayon is gone, remove any residue with a dry cloth.
TIP: Magic erasers can also work on stubborn scuff marks on your wall!
3. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is another effective way to remove crayon from walls.
Pour a bit of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or clean cloth, then gently rub the mark.
Once done, use a damp cloth to remove any leftover alcohol from the wall.
4. WD-40
If the crayon marks are still on your wall after everything you’ve tried, here’s a surprising fix: WD-40!
The oil content can break down crayon wax on walls, but it’s not safe for some surfaces.
Avoid using WD-40 on porous materials like matte paint and unsealed wood, as they can absorb the oil.
WD-40 can also dissolve the adhesive on wallpaper.
Before you start, open a window or two for ventilation.
Spray a small amount of WD-40 onto a cloth, and gently scrub the stained area.
If the mark persists, spray a little WD-40 directly onto it while holding a cloth underneath to catch any drips.
Then, scrub with a damp cloth or an old toothbrush.
Once the mark is gone, dip a cloth into warm, soapy water. Wipe the area to remove all oily residue.
Finish by going over the area again with a clean, damp cloth. This prevents streaks and discolouration, especially on white walls.
Tips to Keep Your Walls Crayon-Free
Kids will be kids, so you can’t really stop them from grabbing some crayons and scribbling on walls.
However, there are ways to protect your clean walls from crayon marks.
You can switch to washable or water-based crayons, which are easier to wipe off.
Or cover the lower part of the wall with some sheets of paper that you can remove later.
That way, your kids can still draw, and you won’t be stuck scrubbing the wall!
FAQs: Removing Crayon Marks from Walls
Still trying to get those crayon marks off your once pristine walls?
Here are a few more tips that might help.
How do you get crayon off painted walls?
One of the easiest ways to get crayons off painted walls is to use a hair dryer. Use the low-heat setting, and point it at the stain.
The crayon should melt after about a minute. Once it softens, blot it with a paper towel.
If that doesn’t work, try one of these methods:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda paste
- Warm, soapy water
Can a pencil eraser clean crayon marks off walls?
Yes, a pencil eraser can get crayon off walls! It’s best for wallpapered surfaces, but can also work on painted walls.
Use a clean white eraser, as pink ones may leave a reddish tint.
Make sure there are no pencil smudges on the eraser, or you might end up getting your wall dirtier.
Rub the pencil eraser gently over the crayon, then brush away the eraser bits.
Can mayonnaise remove crayon marks from the wall?
Yes, mayonnaise contains oils that can break down crayon wax. However, it might make your home smell funky!
So while it can work, we suggest that you try other methods first, like dish soap or baking soda.
If you want to use mayonnaise, dab a generous amount over the crayon mark.
Wait 10–15 minutes, then remove all mayonnaise with a cloth dipped in soapy water. Then, wipe again with a fresh, damp cloth.
Turn a fan on and open a window to get rid of any lingering smell.
When is repainting necessary?
Repainting should be your last option, as there are many ways to get crayon off walls without damaging the paint.
If you do need to repaint, use a stain-blocking primer first.
Then, chip off a bit of paint from your wall, and check with a paint store to get the exact match for your wall.
