Removing Crayon Stains

If you have children, you need to know…

Crayon stains can show up when you least expect them. Here are a variety of methods that may save the day for you in the future.

If crayons go through the laundry and leave spots on clothes, don't despair. There are ways to remove crayon stains.

With just a few spots on a washable garment, you can remove the surface crayon wax with a dull knife. Next, you should place the stained area between paper towels and press it with a warm iron. Placing the garment with the stain face-down on the paper towels, sponge the back of the remaining stain with a pre-wash spray or a dry cleaning solvent. You might use Renuzit, Energine, Carbona or other solvent spot removers. You can buy these spot removers at drug stores and grocery stores, as well as some clothing and department stores.

After sponging with the solvent…

Let the fabric dry, then launder it with soap. If traces of color remain, you can wash it again using chlorine bleach if that's safe to use on that fabric. If not, soak the garment in an enzyme pre-soak or oxygen bleach with the hottest water safe for the fabric. Now, launder the garment.

In the washing machine…

If crayon stains have spread throughout a load of clothes, you need to follow this procedure. First, wash the items with the hottest water safe for the fabric, using a laundry soap and a cup of baking soda. If color still remains, launder the items with detergents or soap, using a chlorine bleach if it's safe for the fabric. Or, you can soak the garment in an enzyme product or oxygen bleach, using the hottest water safe for the fabric… launder.

Upholstery fabrics…

You can use a dry cleaning solvent to remove crayon stains from most upholstery fabrics and other dry clean-only items. But, don't use the solvents on leather, suede or vinyl upholstery. If you're not sure if a solvent is safe to use on your dry clean-only clothes, check the label. You can test the solvent on a place that doesn't show to see if it will harm the fabric. If the fabric isn't harmed, sponge the solvent onto the stained area. Sponge it again if the stain remains.

When sponging the solvent on piled fabric, rub in the direction of the pile.

If you get crayon stains on vinyl…

Clean vinyl with a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent, or make a paste with dry laundry detergent and warm water. If the stain remains, sponge the vinyl with rubbing alcohol. But, remember to test alcohol on a place that won't show before putting it on the vinyl.

For valuable, non-washable items have them professionally cleaned as soon as the spot is discovered. Point out the stain to the clerk at the cleaners. If suede or leather get crayon stains, you shouldn't try to clean these at home. Take these items to the cleaners.

The Georgia Extension Service is not endorsing any products by mentioning them. There may be other products that will work equally well. You may check labels or ask for such products where cleaning supplies are sold.

For more information on removing crayon stains; contact your local County Extension Office.