How Do You Remove Crayon from Chalkboard?

Updated on January 16, 2009
H.S. asks from Stow, MA
22 answers

My kids have an easel with a chalkboard on one side and a magnet thing on the other side. They've used crayon all over the chalkboard, and now that whole side is pretty useless. Is there any way to get it off?

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So What Happened?

Thanks, everyone, for your kind and helpful responses. I have tried the Magic Eraser and followed up with some Soft Scrub and it works pretty well.

I was just kidding about throwing it away - I guess I need to work on my delivery! I know it has a lot of life left in it. And when my kids outgrow it, it will definitely be freecycled or given a good home. Thank you all for your advice and consideration.

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D.C.

answers from Boston on

if the magic erase doesn't take it off try WD-40. It is great for taking crayon off the inside of the dryer too ;-)
D. C. Mom of 4

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V.L.

answers from New London on

Magic Clean Eraser pads,Mr Clean is in the front of box.Those are little miracle workers,they have removed permanent markers from my wall,crayons even pen.
Waxy things like that sometimes come off if you use a hair blower and wipe.Just do it a few times.Good luck.And if it brings them joy.Don't toss it.It's all small stuff we sometimes let get to us. Roni

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N.H.

answers from Boston on

I would try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It can get crayon off of most surfaces. If not you could try baking soda and water. Another thing to try is GooGone. But out of all of these I would try the Magic Eraser first. I would just test either of these on a corner before you use it on the whole thing in case it takes off the chalk board surface. If all else fails, you could buy some chalk board paint and paint over the crayon.

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K.G.

answers from Boston on

mr. clean magic eraser should do it!!

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R.C.

answers from Boston on

Hi H.,
Even if all these wonderful tips don't work, I hope you keep the easel and use the chalk side for taping on paper for paintings, drawings, etc. Any art work done by young children is better done on an easel than on a table, as the easel requires that the children stand and hold the brushes and crayons against the pull of gravity. It truly boosts developing skills. Easels are a wonderful tool for developing strong finger and hand muscles and appropriate grasp without a lesson! Take care, Rose

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C.P.

answers from Boston on

There's a fantastic website called "Barefoot Lass's Stain Removal Page" at http://members.tripod.com/~Barefoot_Lass/index-2.html

Although this advice is for crayon on fabric, it's worth giving it a try:

One tip is to try blotting with dry-cleaning solvent. Another great tip to remove crayolas was this one sent in by P. Victory from Westlake, LA; "Add 1/2 cup of baking soda plus your usual amount of detergent and the hottest water setting possible on your machine. I use the soak cycle once, then turn to normal wash cycle as usual." This also works with lipstick stains. Thanks for the great tip! Here is a wonderful tip that Lee-anne from MA was kind enough to share with us for getting crayon stains out that have been washed in a whole load of laundry; "I used about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of Lestoil and about 1/2 of a small box of baking soda and 1/2 cup of regular detergent. When I finished the load, the clothes were almost cleaned so I put them through another wash with the other 1/2 of baking soda box and a little bit of bleach (because my load was dark) It got rid of every spot of crayon and my clothes are looking great again. For a dark load make sure you use a tiny amount of bleach and it shouldn't bleach your colors. But it helps get rid of any leftover stains that the first wash didn't get out." Thanks so much Lee-anne!

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K.D.

answers from Boston on

hi H.~
try using baby wipes... if that doesn't work i bet nail polish remover will work... or don't try anything, say you did, and you can toss it!!! :) good luck either way!

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M.H.

answers from Boston on

I would repaint it with chalkboard paint from the hardward, it's probably not worth the hassle of trying cleaners to remove the crayon.

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C.B.

answers from New London on

The primary ingredient in Mr. Clean erasers is baking soda. So if you use just a little bit of good ol Arm & Hammer or whatever baking soda brand you have in your cupboard, you should do just fine. Wet it down and dab the baking soda on then use a cloth to rub it off. Those easels have lots of life in them. I would try to resist tossing it. At least give it to Goodwill or somewhere that someone could easily resurrect it and get more use out of it. :)

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C.S.

answers from New London on

I don't know how to get the crayon off, but I'm pretty sure you can but chalkboard paint. Good luck!

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M.B.

answers from Lewiston on

I have used the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on a chalkboard to get off crayon and it does work. Why would you want to throw it away though? can't they still use the magnet side? If you do decide to get rid of it I would put it on freecycle or something like that.

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T.S.

answers from Boston on

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but test it to make sure it doesn't scratch the coating off the surface, some chalkboards are more easily damaged than others. You can try letting the children play with shaving cream on it which is how we remove hardcore crayon from the tables at school, 30 mins of kids rubbing it with shaving cream usually wipes it right out.

If all else fails you can purchase chalkboard paint, scrub it down and repaint it. Hope that all helps. :D

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B.B.

answers from Boston on

Hi,

I found the only thing that works is Goo Be Gone. You can find it in any supermarket. I also bought chalkboard paint at AC Moore and re-painted our chalk boards. It's fantastic! Like a brand new chalkboard!

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T.Q.

answers from Boston on

the only thing i can think of is a mr clean magic eraser, it got crayons off my wall easily

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M.B.

answers from Boston on

maybe just paint over it with that chalkboard paint from home depot, or lay it on the floor lay paper over it,(copy paper or just a brown paper bag) use an iron on medium setting and iron the paper, the theory is the crayon is really wax so the wax will be absorbed by the paper once melted, this works for candle wax maybe it will work this way too? not really sure....good luck :)

E.T.

answers from Boston on

Hello H., I would try Shaklee's Basic H2 diluted as a degreaser. If you like, I will send/bring (depending on where you live) you a sample to try - it will be enough to do the entire blackboard. Yes, I am a Shaklee distributor and would be happy for you to try our Basic H2. I am trying to help you solve your issue. Contact me at ____@____.com or call me today at ###-###-####. I am in Georgetown. If you live nearby, I will get this to you today. If not, I can put it in the mail today. Please let me know. You can read more about our Basic H2 at www.emilytaft.com E. Taft

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D.F.

answers from Boston on

I have used soft scrub. One other time I heated the crayon with a hair dryer and wiped it off. good luck!

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C.K.

answers from Boston on

Try the Mr. Clean magic eraser.

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L.C.

answers from Bangor on

have you tried really hot water? I know it works on candle wax and crayons have wax also. Just a thought.

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N.P.

answers from Boston on

Try WD-40. Oil removes oil based product. good luck. N. P

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K.L.

answers from Boston on

I would try a Magic Eraser...they are the most unbelievable product I've ever used. I recently had spilled candle wax all over my wall and heater vent. I tried everything to get it off and then remembered the Magic Erasers I had. The wax came right off -!

You can buy them in any grocery store (sponge aisle). I've found that the store brands are just as good. They now have them infused with soap, but the original kind is BETTER.

You'll love them...:)

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S.J.

answers from Hartford on

Try a magic eraser sponge. I am sure it will work.

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