How to Clean Crayon From Carpet

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (24 Ratings)

If one of your children accidentally mistakes your carpet for a coloring book, use this recipe to remove the budding Picasso's creations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1
Scrape off excess crayon wax with a butter knife or other non-serrated knife.
Step2
Place a single layer of paper bag over the stain.
Step3
Heat an iron to its hottest setting.
Step4
Move the hot iron back and forth rapidly over the stain.
Step5
Replace the paper bag when it becomes saturated with crayon.
Step6
Repeat as many times as necessary until you've ironed up as much crayon as possible.
Step7
Pour dry cleaning fluid over the remaining stain.
Step8
Blot with a dry, white cloth.
Step9
Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent to the spot.
Step10
Blot again with the cloth.
Step11
Flood the stain with water.
Step12
Blot again.
Step13
Pour a small amount of ammonia on the stain.
Step14
Blot again.
Step15
Apply a little more liquid detergent.
Step16
Blot again.
Step17
Flood the area with water.
Step18
Blot one last time.

Tips & Warnings

  • Dry cleaning fluid can be purchased at home supply stores or at a dry cleaners.
  • Always test the cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous part of the carpet before using on a large area.
  • Always use a white cloth rather than a colored one to prevent any dyes from coming off on the carpet.
  • As you blot, keep turning the cloth so that you are using a clean, dry section to pick up the stain and cleaning fluids. Don't rub.
  • If using a brush to help clean the stain, always brush from the outer edges of the spill inward to prevent the stain from spreading.
  • Test a small, hidden area of carpet first to make sure it will withstand a hot iron - even though you're ironing through a paper bag.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Using the Murphy's Oil Soap at full strength worked great! I rubbed it in gently and then used my Bissel Little Green Carpet Machine and it removed the crayon 100%.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 3/28/2006 My two kids love to crayon and the carpet is full of marks. The ironing and ammonia tip works, but for large area its too time consuming. Especially, in winter time when all windows are closed, we could not use ammonia to clean without a gas mask.

The Murphy oil soap worked great and in no time I was done. Amazing! Thank you.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Use Murphy's Oil Soap. Believe it or not, it will pull crayon out of the carpet and even clothes that have been through a dryer with a crayon! Apply it full strength to the stain and use a white wet cloth to work it out.

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eHow Article:  How to Clean Crayon From Carpet

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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