Removing Crayon Marks on Wooden Toys?

Updated on July 27, 2009
J.R. asks from Bainbridge Island, WA
16 answers

Hello,

I've purchased some wooden blocks and other wooden toys that have crayon marks on them. Before I attempt to clean them, I was curious if anyone has successfully cleaned them? Its not that big a deal but I don't want to put ideas in my kids heads and have them coloring on toys.

Also, I'm curious of the best way to clean mega blocks and lego duplo blocks (suds in the sink, dishwasher).

Thanks in advance for your advice!

2 moms found this helpful

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B.R.

answers from Anchorage on

Hi J.,
I've used a dab of cooking oil on a rag to clean off wooden toys. It worked well and didn't harm toy or child!
Personally, I love the top rack of my dishwasher for disinfecting plastic toys!
Barbara

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

Magic eraser would get them off.

I wouldn't put legos in the dishwasher... they may melt. I'd just soak in a sink full of hot soapy waster them swish them around every once and a while.

More Answers

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H.D.

answers from Seattle on

One more vote from me for the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. I highly recommend them for your wooden blocks. As for the mega blocks, I would just let them soak in the kitchen sink with either soapy water if they are really dirty. Or with a solution of bleach and water if it's just to sanitize them.

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J.C.

answers from Seattle on

WD40 works well. Takes it right off

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M.D.

answers from Seattle on

I've had success using Windex to get colored pencil, and i think crayon, but I can't remember, off of oak end tables.

I would say if you have plastic legos just to wash them in the sink with dish soap or top rack of your dishwasher.

Good Luck!

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Z.A.

answers from Seattle on

Murphy's oil soap is great for wood as well as leather. We always used it on our saddles/bridals...and then would swipe off boot polish off the wooden walls with it.

For leggos, I'm a big fan of a mesh box or bag and the dishwasher. Just make sure there aren't any food particles in the dishwasher...or they'll end up lodged in the little holes/crevasses.

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J.B.

answers from Seattle on

I would try the Magic Eraser... it works wonders!! I used it to remove crayon from a craft table that has a wooden top, so I imagine it would work for the blocks.

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M.O.

answers from Portland on

I don't know about the wooden toys, maybe a magic eraser, but I clean all my plastic toys in the tub with hot water and bleach. I just dump the whole bucket in and swoosh a few times and drain. Then I let them dry out overnight on a towel on the floor in the bathroom and put away the next day. On my bigger stuff I use the clorox safe bleach spray, but if they are grimy then a bucket of soapy water.

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C.R.

answers from Seattle on

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers!!! That should work for the wooden toys. Those things are amazing! We used them to get all kinds of marks out of our baseboard.

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

Put them in the oven at 175 degrees. Line the shelf with a thick pad of newspaper and the wax will melt onto the paper. Wipe dry of remaining wax when blocks are still hot with paper towel. Wear protective gloves on your hands.

Your own idea of putting the plastic blocks in the dishwasher is the best method. If dirt remains around the raised portions use a toothpick and alcohol to remove.

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N.D.

answers from Portland on

you can get crayon off with an eraser. my mom used to make us clean up after ourselves when we'd do artwork on the wall. i don't have experience with getting it off wood but it's worth a shot :)

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A.W.

answers from Seattle on

Try the Magic Erasers....I think Mr. Clean makes them but many stores have their version that works just as good and is less expensive.
Mega blocks - fill tub or sink with a little dish soap and a little bleach. Let soak for an hour or two, then rinse.
:-) If you prefer something less toxic, use vinegar...

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

If the wood is unfinished, there may be little you can do, because the wax gets right into the fibers. And so will any commercial cleaner you use, which can then dissolve into your children's mouths when they later chew on the toys.

If the toys have a hard, shiny finish, you can safely try baking soda or vinegar. These clean safely, and you can slightly moisten dry baking soda to use as a scrub to remove wax from the surface. Just rinse either of these with plain water.

Whatever you try, please DO NOT USE CHLORINE BLEACH on wood. This creates dioxins, which are some of the most toxic and enduring chemicals on the planet, believed to cause cancer and contribute to a lot of other disorders as well.

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J.K.

answers from Bellingham on

I read your post and had to smile. Your kids won't need to see the crayon marks to get the idea of drawing on their toys with crayons. They will come up with that idea over and over just on their own.

I'd imagine it would be nearly impossible to get a waxy type of material like crayon off of wood, but I hope you get some good ideas... honestly though - seeing crayon marks on most things is just part of the job description. I'm constantly trying to teach my kids what they may and may not color on.

Good Luck.

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S.M.

answers from Spokane on

hi,
as for the legos...I put a huge amount of Legos in a pillow case (tied tightly at the open end) and ran them through a gentle cycle in my washing machine.

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K.R.

answers from Portland on

I've actually had pretty good luck with just baking soda and a little water. I've also used DeSolvIt with good luck. I got that at BiMart.

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