| Mystified One 2005-10-13, 9:21 pm |
| I found these two sets of instructions on the web. The first looks like
it's for upholstery, but I'd use it if I were desperate. The second has
lots of info on other kinds of marker removal that you might want to keep on
hand as well.
CRAYOLA STAIN REMOVAL
The following suggestions for removing crayon stains from interior
fabric or carpet have been compiled as a service to our customers. The
M.E.I. staff members can not guarantee or be responsible for results
obtained by these procedures. You may also wish to consult your local
cleaner or laundry for further recommendations.
Please be advised these stain removal methods involve hazardous products and
are intended only for adult use. M.E.I. does not recommend children attempt
these procedures.
In all cases, stains should be treated as soon as possible.
Special Precaution
Before attempting the stain removal, test each procedure on an inconspicuous
area of the material or surface to be cleaned.
In many procedures, specific brands of products are recommended. These are
the brands that performed most effectively in our use. Competitive brand
products may work equally well.
Carpeting and durable car interiors-cloth
MATERIALS Dull knife or metal spoon
WD-40
Liquid dish-wash detergent
Small stiff bristle brush
Sponge
Paper towels
PROCEDURE
Scrape excess crayon off with a dull-edged knife. Spray with WD-40 and let
stand a few minutes. With a small, stiff bristle brush, work crayon stain
and wipe with paper towels. Re-spray with WD-40 and apply dishwashing
detergent on the sprayed area; work in with the brush and wipe stain away
with a damp sponge. If stain remains, repeat the procedure.
Use Carpet & Upholstery Treatment to eliminate WD-40 odor and freshen carpet
or upholstery
http://ks.essortment.com/crayonmarkerst_rmdy.htm
Crayon Removal
So, how do you get crayon marks off the wall, removed from clothing,
and all other assorted items in and around the house?
First off, pray that you have purchased the washable kind, so that
clean up, in most cases, is simply a matter of using a dishwashing liquid
and water. However, since the vast majority of people buy the good, old
regular crayons, we'll be addressing clearing home interiors and exteriors
of those particular markings.
For paneled walls and other wood surfaces as well as counter tops,
metals, glass, plastic, and tile, all you need to do to banish any unwanted
drawings is to grab a bottle of baby oil and a paper towel or dry cloth.
Simply apply about a teaspoon of baby oil to a cloth and scrub away. If not
completely successful on the first pass over, repeat until gone. When
finished with the first step, clean the surface with soapy water and proceed
by drying it off. The baby oil helps to soften and lift the waxed crayon and
makes it easier to wipe away.
When considering eliminating crayon from painted or wallpapered walls,
be sure to note what type of paint or paper you're working with. If the
paint is semi-gloss or a gloss finish and the wallpaper is vinyl, then the
same instructions apply as previously mentioned with the exception of being
a tad more stingy with the baby oil. You may want to use another oily
product such as WD-40 for a thinner coat. Once that is completed, make
certain to rinse away all traces of oil and the dishwashing liquid-water
combination. If the wall in question happens to have a flat paint finish or
the wallpaper is sans vinyl coating for protection, then see the section
below addressing unwashable items.
If your child happens to think it'd be neat to draw a pretty picture
with crayons on the sidewalk outside your home instead of using chalk,
gather together a bristle brush, a paint scraping tool or dull knife, the
oil product of your choice, and a bucket of soapy water. Apply the oil and
allow it to set for a few minutes, then use the paint scraper to lift the
wax. Because concrete is a porous surface, it'll take a little more arm
power to remove crayon marks. When done, wash with soapy water and rinse
with a garden hose. This technique also applies to brick, pavement, and the
odd terra cotta pot.
Now then, let's move on to fabrics. For those times when your child
forgets that she has left a crayon or two in her jean pocket and it escaped
only to melt onto other articles of clothing, skip the baby oil and go
straight to using WD-40. Oil on fabrics? Yes, it may sound strange since oil
tends to be in a category of necessary stain removal along with grease, but
yes, oil.
The items you'll need to have on hand, other than WD-40 or similar car
part lubricant, include paper towels, a kitchen knife, and dishwashing
liquid. Scrape away all excess amounts of wax. Try to get as much of it as
possible before you apply the oil. When ready, spray one side of the stained
area and let stand, then spray the other side. Place a paper towel over the
area to soak up the extra oil. After doing so, work in the dishwashing
liquid-water combination and continue toweling occasionally until the crayon
is removed. Immediately, put the formerly stained object into your washing
machine using your normal laundry detergent and a color-safe bleach. Wash on
hot to help rid the garment of any remaining wax. Don't be worried about it
being a colored article, if so. If your item is colored instead of white,
you don't need to do a full cycle. Ten to fifteen minutes should suffice,
but remember that rinsing is important in keeping fabric from resoiling
because soap leaves a residue all on its own.
For any unwashable surface or article in your home, there are products
on the market to help. Energine and R2K are two that come highly recommended
in the cleaning industry. Be certain to follow the directions provided with
the products. If in doubt, consult a local cleaning specialist.
Marker Removal
If you're thinking you should pray for the markers you've bought to be
washable, think again. "Washable markers" is a little misleading, if the
fact that it requires a different approach to removing marker stains than
mere soapy water is taken under consideration. Marker stains are removable,
however, whether they're the washable kind or the regular version.
For scribbles on counter tops, tile, wooden surfaces, plastic, and
metal, you'll need a liquid abrasive cleanser, rubbing alcohol, and water.
Why so specific on which type of abrasive cleanser to use? Good question. A
powder cleanser, while not harming some surfaces such as plastic, will
indeed harm others like metal. Begin by working the cleanser into the stain
and let it set in for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly, then check the
stained area for hints of remaining marks. Repeat the process and rinse once
again. If the area has a few stragglers left, use a cotton ball dipped in
rubbing alcohol and wipe clean.
The process is similiar for any type of walls as well. Just as with
crayons, though, you need to be certain what type of surface you're working
with. When dealing with wallpaper, try to be careful with the amount of
moisture you use. Over doing it could cause the paper's glue to lose its
adhesive. Like with other surfaces, wash with liquid abrasive cleanser,
rinse, check, do it again, check, and use rubbing alcohol on the rest.
Typically, for most stain removal jobs, cold water is your best
friend. The difference between processes when dealing with washable markers
versus regular markers on fabrics is hot and cold, in that order. Rinse the
fabric, depending on which kind of marker has been used, under a water
faucet until the water runs clear of color. Then, treat the fabric with
rubbing alcohol, allow it to set, and wash with your normal laundry
detergent.
We all know the big killer in the marker department is the permanent
marker. There's a reason why. This type of marker was intended to withstand
removal. While following the techniques above will, in all likelihood, clean
most surfaces, ridding fabrics of permanent marker stains is not a
guarantee. The best that can be hoped for is that you catch the stain fast,
soak it in hot water overnight, and then wash per the usual.
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