Crayon marks can show up in the strangest places. It just takes a crayon, a toddler and turning your back for one moment!

Note: this post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Oh my goodness, 240 colorful Crayola crayons in a tub! WOW!

It all started with a cute book that my preschoolers were making for our upcoming Open House. We studied “M is for Me” and the book was appropriately named “All About Me.” The students colored self-portraits upon which I would glue their own photo. Adorable!

Color Your Own Bookmarks!

Anseal 120 PCS Color Your Own Bookmarks Bulk, DIY Bookmarks for Kids/Teens, Cute Animal Bookmarks for Reading Lover, 12 Styles Fun & Personalized Bookmark for Students, Classroom Rewards Supplies

My back was turned for just a moment. When I turned around, it was too late. I turned to see an enthusiastic colorer… very enthusiastic…coloring right off her paper and onto the table. A table that we did not own! We rent space in a church for our classrooms. Borrowed tables should not be returned with crayon all over them, that is for sure!

Soon as my little ones were safely on their way home, I returned to the “scene of the crime.” First, I used a scrubby with our own DIY cleanser. Nothing. The artwork remained. Then I tried hand sanitizer–I was desperate. Still, nothing. So I pulled out the Expo white board cleaner, a precious commodity to be used sparingly. I saturated the tabletop with Expo and to my glee, it worked! The fumes were a bit strong but, thankfully, there was plenty of time for that to clear before anyone would be near the table again. I made a mental note: never use that much in a closed room with children.

how to clean crayon off of everything by Ducks 'n a Row

So what do people do when their children, armed with crayons, go to town on their stuff? I looked into it further.

White foamy shaving cream cleans crayon off desks and tables #tip

How to get crayon off of almost everything! #tip #cleaning #cleaningtips Share on X

How To Clean Crayon Off of Things

Shaving Cream: remembering what my teacher-friends said years before, classic, white foamy shaving cream is the cleanser of choice. Marked up desktops have been successfully cleaned for years by using shaving cream and a scrubby sponge. It works on all sorts of markings — ink, pencil, crayons. It leaves a nice shine, as well. Had there been some on hand, that is what I would have used.

Interestingly, teachers say that the CHEAPER the brand of shaving cream, the better it seems to work. So, why not include it in your lesson plan! Cover the desk with shaving cream and let your kids have fun. Write in it. Draw in it. Then, when it’s time to move to the next activity, wipe the shaving cream off the desk using a sponge or scrubby. Follow up with Windex and a towel. The desks will be cleaner than clean. Better than new! Even glue and tape comes off.

But what about getting crayon off other surfaces?

Fabric: dip a cloth in white vinegar and rub the crayoned area lightly before washing.

Walls: use baking soda and water made into a paste and lightly scrub. Other remedies include rubbing mayonnaise on the stained area, spraying on WD40, applying non-gel toothpaste using a toothbrush, and the old “eraser on a pencil trick” (simply erase the marks!)

Glass: if the crayon is on glass there are several well-thought-of methods. You can use dishwashing liquid, stronger cleansers like Greased Lightning , Goo Gone or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

How about you? Do you have any home-remedies for stray crayon that got away from a young artiste?

Enjoy!

BEST PET HAIR VACUUM

Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away True-Pet Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Large Dust Cup Capacity, LED Headlights, Upholstery Tool, Perfect Pet Power Brush & Crevice Tool

This is the very BEST pet hair vacuum, too! Takes care of all kinds of pet hair (and people hair, too)

Photo Credits

Shaving Cream by kathera on Flickr Creative Commons

Child’s Artwork by davef3138 on Flickr Creative Commons

Crayons 1 by ctech on Stock Xchng

Crayons 2 by ithears on Stock Xchng

By Sinea Pies

Baking soda is an essential and inexpensive household item that is useful in so many ways.

First and foremost, it is used for the obvious: BAKING!

Not to be confused with baking powder, baking soda is 100% sodium bicarbonate.

Baking powder has baking soda in it, along with some cream of tartar.

Baking soda and baking powder are both used to make baked goods rise by producing carbon dioxide as the batter cooks.

In addition to an essential ingredient for baking, baking soda is a great deodorizer, polisher, cleanser and even itch-remover!

Here are 15 GREAT USES for BAKING SODA!
1. Baking: As we said, baking soda is a key ingredient in most baked goods, including one of Martha Stewart’s favorite dessert: CUPCAKES (check out these 31 photos of yummy specialty cupcakes)!!! Click to buy Martha’s Cupcake Cookbook here.

2. Toothpaste: You can buy toothpaste that contains the ingredient or make your own. Just put a little baking soda in a dish with some salt. Wet your brush, dip it in caking it up on the brush, and gently brush your teeth. They’ll gleam!

3. Eliminate Refrigerator Smells: Open a box and put it in the frig. Mark the date on the box first and recycle every 30 days for freshness.

4. Carpet deodorizer: Sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet, leave for 15 minutes and then vacuum.

5. Exfoliate: Make a paste of baking soda and water, gently scrub your face and body for a natural, safe clean. Rinse off with water.

6.Cleaning Baby Toys: dilute 4 T. baking soda in 1 quart warm water. Use the solution to wash the toys, then rinse and wipe clean.

7. Drain Opener: pour some dry baking soda down a slow running drain. Add vinegar and listen to it fizz! Wait 10 minutes. Follow it with a quart of very hot water. Voila! Free flowing drain.

8. Insect Bites: apply a paste of baking soda and water to stop the itch.

9. Science Projects: remember the famous science fair project, the Erupting Volcano? Baking soda and vinegar are what makes it work!

10. Hair Clarifier: use a lot of gels, mousse and other sticky hair products? Remove that build-up once a week by adding a tiny pinch of baking soda to your shampoo. Lather up and rinse.

11. Antacid: remember the old movies where they ordered a bicarb for a sour stomach? They were asking for baking soda. It still works today! Check the directions on the package before using.

12. Fight Fires: Keep a box of baking soda near the stove in case of a grease fire. Quickly toss some baking soda on the fire and extinguish it instantly.

Mr.Coffee Coffee Maker

13. Clean Your Coffee Maker: Make a solution of 1/4 cup of baking soda and a quart of warm water to clean your coffee maker, coffee mugs and pot. Your coffee will taste great!

14. Remove Grease Stains from Clothes: make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it to the stains. Add a little baking soda to the wash load, as well.

15. Freshen Your Sponges: Sponges smelling a little raunchy? Don’t give them up just yet. Make a strong solution of baking soda and warm water and let them soak.

BONUS USE: Deodorizer Sneakers and Shoes! This works so well, I just had to add it. If you have SMELLY SNEAKERS, sprinkle baking soda into them and shake the excess out. Go head and wear them. They will be so much better. In my experience, mine no longer smelled bad at all!

Arm and Hammer is the brand name that comes to mind when we think of baking soda. Their website is full of great baking soda ideas as well as a list of their cleaning and deodorizing products. If you have pets, you’ve got to try their pet odor eliminator carpet powder. It removes the smell and helps to get up the pet hair better than ever!