HOW TO GET CRAYON OUT OF CLOTHES IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS
Kids love to create art with crayons, but when left in their pockets, these waxy sticks can create a colorful stain. However, it is possible to get crayon out of clothes—whether the stains are fresh or melted—using household products you may have handy. The most important thing is to act fast, so the stain doesn’t spread or set in further. Before starting to treat the stain, always check your clothing’s care label for any specific requirements like dry cleaning.
CAN YOU REMOVE CRAYON STAINS?
Removing crayon from fabric is possible. One effective method first involves removing excess crayon wax with a dull knife. Then, place the stained area face down onto a white paper towel and cover the backside of the stain with another paper towel and gently run a warm iron over the towel. This process helps transfer the wax from the fabric onto the paper towel. Periodically change the paper towels and repeat until the stain no longer transfers.
Refer to the care label on the stained garment before trying to remove a stain. This label will sometimes tell you what kind of heat your clothes can handle or if an iron can be used.
WHAT REMOVES CRAYON STAINS FROM CLOTHES?
Dish soap, baking soda and enzyme detergents are among the variety of household items that can be used for crayon stain removal and pretreatment.
Using baking soda to remove crayon is simple. Begin by removing excess crayon from your clothing with a spoon or dull knife. Set your washing machine to the hottest water temperature recommended by your garment’s care label and add one cup of baking soda to your wash.
The warmth of the water and the coarseness of the baking soda will help the wax to melt and break apart.
Learn more about how to remove marker stains from clothes.
HOW TO REMOVE FRESH CRAYON STAINS FROM CLOTHES
Removing fresh crayon stains can be attempted in a few simple steps. First, scrape off any crayon clumps using a dull knife, then gently scrub the stain with dish soap and a toothbrush. Next, run the garment under water to remove any dish soap and place the clothing in the washing machine. Always check your garments care tag.
This simple guide can help you restore your garments and combat crayon stains.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Dull knife or credit card
Liquid dish soap
An old toothbrush
Store-bought stain removers
STEP 1: SCRAPE OFF THE STAIN WITH A KNIFE
First, use a dull knife or credit card to lift off any excess crayon. Gently scrape the surface of the fabric, making sure not to rub or push the crayon deeper into the fabric.
STEP 2: APPLY A TABLESPOON OF LIQUID DISH SOAP
Next, apply a small amount of liquid dish soap to the crayon stain and rub vigorously with an old toothbrush to dislodge the wax. No water is needed during this step.
STEP 3: SOAK THE STAIN FOR A FEW MINUTES
Let the liquid dish soap soak into the stain for a few minutes and then rub the fabric together under warm running water. Make sure to remove all dish soap before using your washing machine since it can cause excess suds, leading to an overflow.
STEP 4: MACHINE WASH ON HEAVY SOIL SETTING
Now you’re ready to wash your garment in the washing machine using whatever store-bought stain fighting products you have on hand. Use the warmest water recommended on the care tag, and choose a heavy soil setting for optimal results. This is a great opportunity to use the Extra Power button found on select Maytag® washers, which boosts stain fighting on any wash cycle with an intense pre-wash and extra agitation.
STEP 5: LINE DRY & REPEAT IF NECESSARY
Be sure to line dry the item, as heat from a dryer will set any stain left behind that you may not see while the fabric is wet. If the stain remains after the garment dries, repeat the steps as many times as necessary.
HOW TO GET MELTED CRAYON OUT OF CLOTHES
Sometimes you won’t know you have a crayon stain on your clothes until you open the dryer and find a colorful mess. When crayon stains have been melted by heat, you can still try to remove them using common household items.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Ice cubes
Plastic bag
Dull knife or credit card
Liquid dish soap
Bowl or bucket
Baking soda (optional)
STEP 1: CHILL THE STAIN WITH ICE
Never attempt to remove a hot, melted crayon stain, as it may smear. Instead, place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and apply this to the crayon stain to chill the wax until it hardens.
STEP 2: GENTLY SCRAPE OFF EXCESS WAX
After the wax cools, gently scrape off as much as you can with a dull knife or the edge of a credit card.
STEP 3: APPLY DISH SOAP TO PRETREAT THE STAIN
Apply liquid dish soap to the front and the back of the stain and let it soak in for 30 minutes without scrubbing. No water is needed during this step.
STEP 4: SOAK THE GARMENT FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR
Mix a drop of liquid dish soap with a few cups of warm water in a plastic bowl or bucket and let the stained garment soak. The longer you let the crayon stain soak, the better your chances are for stain removal success. You can soak the stain for a minimum of one hour, but overnight is ideal.
STEP 5: RINSE AND REMOVE DISH SOAP
Rinse the garment thoroughly under warm running water to remove all traces of dish soap. Dish soap in the washing machine creates excess suds and can cause an overflow.
STEP 6: MACHINE WASH ON HEAVY SOIL SETTING
Wash the garment with regular detergent in the warmest water recommended on the care tag. For best results, use the heavy soil setting. For white clothes, add ½ cup of chlorine bleach to the bleach dispenser. For colored clothes, add ½ cup of color-safe oxygenated bleach or baking soda.
STEP 7: LINE DRY & REPEAT IF NECESSARY
Line dry the item. Heat from a dryer will set any stain left behind, which may not be visible while the fabric is wet. If the stain remains after the garment dries, repeat the steps as many times as necessary.
For more stubborn stains you can add one cup of baking soda to the wash or an oxygen-based bleach if permitted by your care label.
SHOP MAYTAG® WASHERS AND DRYERS FOR STAIN REMOVAL
Maytag® washers and dryers have the power and dependability to keep laundry day moving. With powerful cleaning features backed by a 10-year limited parts warranty,1 Maytag® washers and dryers are built to last.
LEARN MORE LAUNDRY TIPS FROM MAYTAG brand
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