Help! Horrible Dirty Walls!!! :-)

I've heard that good old baking soda works - make a paste with it and it's supposed to take off crayon, et al. I didn't hear about this until after i repainted a portion of my yellow kitchen walls!!!

We've had so many issues with this! We ended up getting those Crayola markers that don't appear on anything except the special paper for paper creations, and we bought chalkboard paint and painted a wall that they could color with chalk on. Other things that may work is to get a huge roll of paper (they sell them at IKEA) and let them go to town on that. Or for the summer, just give them sidewalk chalk and get it outside.

Hi, C..

We got my son's crayon scribbles off my mother's wall with good old baking soda and water. The fine grit of the soda shouldn't damage the paint, and you don't have to worry about it making the kids sick.

Hope this helps.

I bet giving them washable crayons would be a help. You probably will have to paint over it just to start over. There's also kid's paint that I think is supposed to be easier to clean. Semi-gloss is also much easier to clean things off. If you can afford it, get Pittsburg Paints the best one from Menards when they have it on sale it's like $22 or so per gallon, but the washability of the semi-gloss is incredible. Plus it only takes one coat to be happy.

H.

I have the same problem and dread having to paint everything again. I painted the whole house when my son was an infant. He is now 2.5 and also a stinking Picasso. He hasn't missed a wall. Washable crayons came off easy, but he managed to color three walls with a non washable crayon somehow. Someone told me to use baking soda and it actually worked. Then you have to clean the baking soda off of your walls, but it got the crayon off. You have to scrub it in really good and hard but it works. Finger prints just use a degreasing soap like palmolive, I think that's your only hope. IF you paint again, definitely use a flat scrubbable paint like the other poster said.

HI C.,
Use WD-40 on your FLAT walls. It is GREAT WITH CRAYONS & MOST OIL BASE MARKERS!!

WELL FOR THE HANDS JUST PLAIN OLD....
DAWN DISH DETERGENT & A LITTLE BLEACH!!!!

I KNOW IT WORKS FOR A FACT!!!!!!!

Just paint it! A semi-gloss paint works good for wiping down. It will brighten everything up and then you will be able to clean the dirt easier! Ofcourse, ask the landlord, they might even reimburse you for the time, and paint.

I've heard toothpaste works great for crayon removal. The chalky kind, not the gel.

Sorr ive gone through this Im a mom of 4 and flat paint is never good for a house with children. A great idea I just went to home depot and bought magnetic chalkboard paint. Its 20.00 a can. Find an area in your home you can paint a large section with this like a rectangle and use some other paint to make the border it looks really cute I did this in my daughters room and she loves it and its also magnetic so you can hang artwork that they made up. And all your friends will think your really creative. Good luck

Pattie

I feel for you, because I've been and am still there. To help with your sanity remember that you are not alone and the kids will grow up before you know it. I live in a little piggy pen with my 6, 5 and 3 year old, who is the worst! I've given up and will not paint until she (3y.o.) stops writing on everything. My 6 year old drew a smiley face with bright pink Sharpie on the ceiling... the ceiling. She climbed on the fridge and drew on the ceiling... She's "6"! I will say that we use Benjamin Moore Eggshell which is suppose to be washable, not the best. I've used those erasers and they change the paint finish and you can see the different streaks from certain angles and we tried going all washable, but we need pens and other tools for us which the kids seem to find. We even have an easel, but for some reason kids love the walls. My sister in law use to keep a coffee can with a brush in the area and when the kids would mess she would paint, but another thing she did was while she was painting, she would give her kids a brush and can with water, which would look a different shade until it dried, but there was no damage. Might help the kids get out of the phase quicker. Good luck and if you find a miracle product, let us all know.

Try the Mr. Vlean Magic Erasers or Orange Clean. Both have worked for me!

I have had luck with removing crayon marks from walls with rubbing alcohol just put some on a cloth and wipe over the areas be sure and have windows open in the room when doing this the fumes can be a bit much if used in larger amts as in cleaning,also if you have ink from a pen(regular ink not the gel type) on fabric before washing pour peroxide over the area and let it sit,repeat as needed,it may work on the gel type pens ,I haven't had the need to try it,if the above does not work it maybe the type of paint that was used and you may have to repaint,but first I would address the problem of your little artist drawing all over ,they do have those crayons that work only on the paper that comes with them that might help
good luck
H.

I am not sure what works well BUT I do know that the Mr Clean Magic Erasers DO NOT work. They take the paint right off the wall and infact take finish off any surface you are using them on. Sorry the last time my son wrote on a wall we were just getting ready to repaint! Thanks goodness.

Hi
Go to your Friendly ACE hardware store and ask about their stain resistant paint, it has teflon or something in it that makes it easier to clean.

Chalkboard paint? (gives the kids a place to create)

High Gloss paint? (wipes easily)

Erasable crayons? (Hmmm.) Yes, cRaYolA sells them!

I'm a PK teacher and former ART teacher...
The world is a kid's canvas...

Hi C. and God bless you and your husband's work!
My daughter is 8 now but when she was little like that I made a rule that she only got crayons and art supplies at the table, the rest of the time they were put up where she could not get them. Don't get me wrong, she got to use them ALLOT, but there were rules attached.

I hope that helps!

get a steam cleaner. my kid drew with crayon on the ceramic tile. nothing would take it out. bought the steam mop and it was awesome. they have samller hand help steam cleaners too. bed bath beyond had one for like $40. hope it helps

I vote for the Mr Clean eraser as well. Just make sure your kids don't get ahold of it as there is a potentially SEVERE allergic reaction. Google it.

I agree with all of the above except I don't like Magic Eraser either. I will tell you that the best cleaner ever is Simple Green. It is non-toxic,biodegradable and an all purpose cleaner. It will make your house smell great unlike most harsh cleaners and I know you will become attached to it. I use it for everything. It cuts grease and grime like nobody's business and I know I have 3 children. I have been using it for 20 years. Also, it comes in concentrated form, which is how I use it mostly, but you can add it to a bucket with water also. It gets most markers, crayons, ink, grease, grime and crap that has been there forever. You can find it at Home Depot and probably other hardware stores, but for sure at Home Depot. Please go buy it before you repaint!!!! I promise you will love it.

First I would take care of the behavior before doing any hard work at all. My sister-in-law used to pick a room for them to do all artwork/dirty work in, she chose her kitchen and she would tape large pieces of butcher paper to the floor and low walls in that room. That is the only room pens, markers , crayons and paint were allowed.

As for clean up wd-40 works on crayon usually need to follow with Dawn dish detergent for any grease, hairspray and simple green works on pen and marker, comet worked on pencil. And if this still doesn't take care of most of what is awful, you may just have to paint. Suggestions for that are semi or high gloss paint with a light wipe of wd 40 over them. I know it sounds weird, but it makes it wipeable and prevents alot from adhering in the first place. Had to do this on my staircase as the handprints were driving me batty.

Hope this helps.
Barbara

C.:

Flat paint is the hardest to clean. However, as a renter you are probably not allowed to repaint. I would use LOC Plus Kitchen Cleaner. It's proven to remove crayon, grease, dirt, etc. LOC can only be purchased from a distributor (like me). I would be happy to get it for you. It's $5.50 for a concentrate that makes over 68 uses.

If after cleaning your walls, you can talk with your landlord about repainting, suggest they use a semi-gloss or even one of the paints that are specially made to be easy to clean. I know Sherwin Williams makes a good one.

Good luck.

C.

White toothpaste (not gel) is best for taking off crayon.

Cleaners I recommend are Krud Kutter and Formula 409. I also agree with the mommies that keep their writing utensils and art supplies out of reach. I do that too, as well as the playdough and bubbles. We still have occassional mishaps, but then I swipe that crayon too and put it away out of reach. Another idea to help them get their creative energy released is an easle, or a chalkboard wall in their play area. If you do either of these, still keep the writing utensils put away and they can still only use them supervised until they earn the freedom again.

BUT, if the cleaners don't work, and you do paint (which I recommend even if the cleaners do work, flat paint should be outlawed) then make sure you paint with a primer first that can cover oil or latex paint. If it can cover oil paint, then it can cover crayon, which is also oil based. If you skip this step, you will have the crayon stains bleeding back through your fresh painted walls and that would just be cruel.

Hope this helps :) Good luck!

Try repainting with a quality eggshell paint. Don't go to Home Depot for it. Go to a "paint store" and they can direct you on what product to buy. I suggest you go to Epco and ask all the Q's.

Basic H by Shaklee will take crayons off walls. It's also nontoxic so safe for your family and the planet. I can send you a sample if you like. If you feel funny about sending that to me through this site, you can contact me from my website (by clicking on the contact me tab) which is www.shaklee.net/kim_oneill. If you click on home care and find the basic H, note that you are looking at a concentrate. Just two drops in 16 oz. of water makes a glass & mirror cleaner. At that rate, it replaces 5800 bottles of Windex. I would be glad to get a sample to you - just let me know!

Thanks,
K.

Hi Carissa,
I am a mom to two boys(20 months and 5 years old)as well and I keep our crayons, paint and markers safely tucked away in a bin with a lid that neither can open. Both of them love to paint and draw and we do it often--but only under my supervision and only at the table. Coloring on the walls isn't even an option--they don't ever have the opportunity. Regarding dirty hands- we always wash ours when we come in from playing, after eating etc. We keep fun smelling soap in the bathroom and it is just something that is routine in our house.

Also, never ever use flat paint--it is the bane of every mother's existence. I would recommend repainting, I just don't think you'll be able to get the stains off of a flat paint. Use eggshell or satin on the walls (flat should only be used on ceilings) when you repaint and then a semi-gloss on the trim. Good luck and enjoy those boys! :)
K.

I use a biodegradable, all natural cleaner that breaks down waxes and I have been able to get crayon off of walls.

I have samples if you are interested, get back in touch with me and we can work out something to get them into your hands.

If you're renting, they may paint your townhome when you move and charge you for the cost. It would be cheaper to do it yourself, but don't use flat paint - it's not washable at all and shows EVERY mark. Use an eggshell finish and keep the extra for when you move out to touch up any fingerprints (easier than washing IMO). The kids should know that now that the walls are clean there is to be no more coloring on them.

I was on the phone for literally 5 mins and stepped out onto our deck. Honestly, I'm NEVER on the phone! My girls took the opportunity to use their crayons and pencils to draw all over the white banister rails on the stairs, the walls up the stairs, the fireplace mantle, the fireplace tiles, their little table and chairs, two wooden puzzles and a toy bin! ARGH! They had NEVER done that before!

EVERYTHING came out beautifully and easily w/out even affecting my paint w/ the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It's fantastic and that's what I'd recommend to you!

Oops.... I just read the rest of your request... looks like you used the eraser but it's not taking all the stuff of. My mom used to use warm water and a mild soap (VERY mild and very little) and use that to wash the walls with. Seemed to work for those dirty spots.

Good luck w/ those little artists! LOL!

C.,

I really think your best solution is painting. Magic Eraser is great... so great in fact, that it removes the paint too! We had the builder's white in our house and I've had to paint with a scrubbale flat paint, with the exception of the bathrooms, which I did in an eggshell finish. It will make the walls SOOOOO much easier to clean.

I really don't think there is an easier solution. I know a good painter who is very quick, clean and does a fabulous job at a cheap price if you need somebody and just don't want to face the job yourself. He painted the trim our two story home for 500 bucks.. not a lot of painting involved but many wanted to charge us upwards of a grand because of the height...

Can you use a semi-gloss or glossy paint? That'll make it easier to clean? My 2 year old finds all the pencils in the house. Luckily he's only used the markers he found on himself and any paper he's found in my daughter's room. I decided to put up all the crayons and markers. They were put away in the drawer. He learned to open it! I put it somewhere he can't get to it. I bring them out when I am ready to watch them. We buy lots of paper. My two year old just can't get enough of drawing. We usually paint outside in the summertime and everyone love to draw with the chalk on the driveway. Thank goodness for warm weather.

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Hi! Before we moved form our old house to our new one, I had stained walls that I wanted to clean before showing. I used a Mr. Clean Magic sponge. It worked really well and there are different brands out there, too. Just make sure to test the area first, before you really start rubbing. Some areas that are painted with certain paints might lose the paint at the same time. These little sponges are strong!
P.S. It worked on my marked up trim, as well.

I am going to respond as a mom and as a land lord.
As a mom, I know kids will occassionally draw on something they are not supposed to draw on - the walls, table, furniture. Mine decided to draw on back of leather couch with a black Sharpie(permanent marker) he he got ahold of.
Once or twice is a mistake, more than that, the kids aren't following the rules and being appropriate. There are certain things you may not draw on. I used to put large pieces of cardboard or poster board along one wall - they could draw on their "special wall" only. No other walls,floors, furniture. That worked. As for the hand print and finger prints - I know exactly what you are talking about with the magic eraser and streaks. If people are visiting you house I hope they are there to visit you, not critique how clean your walls are. If you have kids you are going to have marks on walls, floors, light switches, appliances etc. It goes with the territory.
I would talk to your landlord about painting you walls. If you move and the walls are in the condition they are in now, you might not get all your deposit back. There are paints that are reccommended for families with children that wipe up very well. These brands are usually more expensive but well worth the extra cost in the long run. Research these brands and get an estimate to do the painting job yourself or have someone come in to do it. Present that info to the landlord and offer to pay a portion of the cost of the total job or to pay for the better quality paint.

Try WD-40 (I've heard it helps remove the crayon)...good luck!

I know how you feel I have a six year old boy and a three year old boy I use a steam cleaner on my walls and it does a good job I think I got mine at Linens and Things I just steam them and then wipe them down with a towel The crayon marks need a little extra scrub but it is much easier then trying to do the whole wall with the magic eraser Hope it helps

I wish I had a better suggestion other than painting, but if you've tried cleaners that aren't working, painting's probably the best option. Be sure to prime the walls so that the stains won't bleed thru the new paint. Also, stay away from flat paint. Flat paint and kids don't mix! I've been using eggshell and its MUCH easier to clean. Satin is easiest to clean and wipe off, but is very shiney.
Have you thought about chalkboard paint? Maybe Picasso would be a little easier to control if you gave him his own space to create on a wall. This way when you have guests you can more comfortably display is artwork. Good luck!

I have the same problem! When we had our house painted, the painter talked me into using a "washable" flat paint. That was the biggest mistake!!! I have used the magic eraser, and also some cleanser (either pinesol or Mr. Clean) in a bucket with water. But the best result was for me to touch up the paint with leftover paint that the painter left behind. As a matter of fact I am waiting now for him to come back and redo my foyer and hallways with an eggshell paint! Good Luck!!
M. M

There is a cleaner that you can buy at a paint store. I can't remember the name, but you could try going to a paint store and asking them about it. We have a townhouse that we rent out and the walls are terrible. This cleaner worked wonderfully and I plan to go over the whole place with it this summer so I don't have to paint. Good luck

Well the problem starts with the flat paint, which is not washable. The best thing to do is to repaint with a washable paint. Benjamin Moore makes great washable paints that hold up to kids "wear & tear". Another option is tha after you paint you can use a clear sealer over the walls and then you can usually just wipe down the walls with a wet paper towel. When I paint a clients house, and they have children, I usually suggest the clear sealer and they are really satisfied. Hope this helps.

T., Decorative Artist

It would be worth while to repaint in a semi-gloss that is washable and expensive, that way future art can be wiped away. Do you only use washable crayons? Throw out any that are not, the same with washable markers (which if you haven't gotten them yet you should wait until your Picasso is more civilized, i.e. he no longer writes on walls). You sound very much like me as a mother to wall writers, I had an attitude that wall art was inevitable, came with the kids. What I could have done: keep crayons in a place they cannot reach, only give them to kids when at a table, in a high-chair, kept a better eye on them, developed a sense for "it's been quiet too long, they must be up to something" and listen to it, stressed that it is not okay to write on walls, in a calm tone of voice, made my kids wash it off themselves. As for the fingerprints, don't let them walk aaround with food,keep it in the kitchen and wipe off their hands when snack is over, wash hands after coming inside. It will only take a little more effort and awareness on your part to lick this problem.
Painting: wash your walls with the new version of TSP (it works so well, don't use it on other painted surfaces because it dissolves the finish and they are ruined), buy a good quality seni-gloss or pearlized paint, the yellow color is not to blame , but inexpensive flat paint is impossible to wash clean, use a cleaner from mild to progressively harsh for marks on wall, if windex doesn't do it, then Mr. Clean, then soft scrub.
When my kids were young markers were not washable and would bleed through paint, so I lived with this art for years and years before I heard of Kilz, which formed a barrier and I could finally have a clean wall. Another story, my 3 yr old wrote on my new neighbors wall and I had to listen to her drone on and on about how my daughter should have to wash it off! Those were the days! You're fortunate to have Mammasource.

Hi C., Dear young mommy, just TAKE the crayons and markers away from them. Get some Kilz, a paint sealer, and go over the stains that won't wash out,then paint your walls. Let your kids see you doing this and explain to show how much time this takes from their play time with you. Your 5 year old is big enough to understand about not writing on walls and the 2 year old will follow him. No more crayons til they get it.

On wood furniture try some mayonaise. Just let it sit on the crayon stain on the wood for 10 minutes and polish it off with a soft cloth. Also, for crayon...most are wax based, so heat up an iron and place a thin absorbant towel over it and iron it off. Rub the crayon spot after the iron use with the towel when it is still warm. If it doesn't take off the stain all the way it will be noticably lighter. Hope this helps.

Take away the crayons. He'll learn to color where you tell him it's OK. Unfortunately I have no good fix for the current paint problem. When you do re-paint use semi-gloss or egg shell, as they clean better, or even the kid paint. Good luck.

Keep all writing instruments tucked away, that would certainly help!!
M. H.

C., I know of a product that WILL take all of that off of your walls and it is very safe too. I have a home business and I am partnered with a wellness company and it takes of permanent marker from walls and floors and also red lipstick from beige carpet, etc.........

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Um have you ever thought about putting ALL writing utensils up on a high shelf? It helps, trust me.

Our daughter did the same thing!!! Try baking soda and water - mix it into a not-too-thick paste. Wipe it on the wall, let it sit for a few minutes, then rub it off. That's what helped me get all the crayon marks and fingerprints off our walls. If that doesn't work try hydrogen peroxide/ water mix. Spray it on, let it sit and then wipe it off. I've never tried that personally, but I've heard that it's supposed to work. And make the boys help you - they will probably enjoy sticking their fingers in the gooey paste. Next, I would sit your boys down and have a little chat about not coloring on the walls. And make sure that they always have lots of different kinds of paper and coloring books and poster boards and anything else that you can come up with to make their beautiful artwork on. Then let them hang up their pictures on the walls with scotch tape when it complete. That way your walls stay clean and the boys still get to display their artwork! Good Luck!!!

The paint store should know what would help. :D

Mr Clean has a product that stands true to its name. Its called Magic Eraser. All you do is add water to the sponge and you are ready to wipe away tough dirt, crayons, and markers. My son also had a habit of coloring his shoes, and I was really amazed to see how much dirt and crayon was lifted. I hope this helps, good luck.

I've had no problems whatsoever with the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. I'm surprised to hear that they didn't work for you, and I'm surprised that it took the finish off of some surfaces for another poster.

My 2 year old and 4 year old granddaughters live with me, and talk about Picassos. Every surface imaginable has been covered at least once. There were some of the Magic Erasers that worked, some didn't. I tried baking soda first on a wet wash cloth, and that took alot off.

My one word of "advice", or just a thought, before you paint, is that painting will not stop your boys from coloring on the new paint job. So, adding to a daunting task is the fact that the behavior hasn't been addressed. In the past, I put up big poster board sheets on the wall, for them to use as a canvas, it worked for a little while. Now they only use the washable crayons, and the new rule is, if you write on it, it's YOUR job to clean it. Everything else is put out of reach, and used under supervision.

I don't know if your in the IL area but if you are and in need of painting that is what my husband does for a living. he could even just suggest paint that may be better

It sounds like you are pretty stressed out. As Super Nanny says, you have to gain control of your house. First of all, put all the crayons, markers and pens out of reach. Set down the boundaries. "There will be no more writing or coloring on the walls" "You may only color on paper" If they break the rule, then they are not permitted to color for a time period or put them in time out. Only let them color at a specific time and place until they have broken the habit of coloring on everything. About the dirty little hands. In our home, we wash our hands every time we enter our home. We are only allowed to eat in the kitchen at the table, no toys at the table (they get grimy from food) and we always wash our hands after we eat. (I wiped my toddlers hands with a rag until she was older.) We explain that God has blessed us with our home and our things and that we must take care of what God has given us or why should He bless with more. Hope my perspective helps.

I agree with Anna J.
My son used to do this too. We moved from our aparment (which the walls looked liked the ones you described in your post)to our new house and I decided the day we moved in that no one was going to color on the walls at all. Coloring is a supervised activity. And if you are cought coloring on the walls, you do not get to color again for a long time! A long as my husband and I keep all the pencils, pens crayons etc. out of reach we do not have this problem anymore. YEAH!!!!!
I would suggest painting the walls one good time and then not letting the kids color on the walls anymore.

Have you tried Magic Eraser? I think it's made by Mr. Clean. Worked on our crayon-covered walls and lots of other stuff.