Remove Crayon From Walls With Gentle Heat

Every parent and grandparent knows the crayon-on-the-wall moment. Scrubbing just smears the wax in. Heat is the answer.

How to do it

1. Hold a hair dryer on medium heat a few inches from the crayon for 30 to 60 seconds, until the wax goes shiny.
2. Wipe with a soft cloth — most of it lifts right off.
3. For the color residue left behind, wipe gently with a cloth dampened with a little dish soap solution, or a baking soda paste on stubborn spots.
4. Rinse with a clean damp cloth.

Work in small sections and keep the dryer moving on flat or eggshell paint, which can be delicate. What survives that treatment will usually disappear under one light touch-up coat.