How to Remove Crayon from Painted Walls

The Logic Verdict

My Take: In the Drew & Jonathan clip, they prove you do not need heat guns or repainting—just swipe a thin coat of white toothpaste over the crayon, build a baking soda slurry, and work the paste in with an old toothbrush before wiping clean. The combo of mild abrasives pulls pigment off both satin and flat paint without leaving shiny burnished spots.

The Science

Crayon marks are paraffin wax blended with pigment. Toothpaste already contains hydrated silica and calcium carbonate to polish enamel, while baking soda brings a soft alkaline grit. Add a little surfactant from dish soap and the wax film emulsifies so it can be lifted with water. Because the abrasives are extremely fine, they abrade the wax, not the acrylic binder in wall paint, as long as you keep the brush damp and pressure light.

Step-by-Step Removal

1. Spot test first. Choose an inconspicuous section of the wall and make sure the finish tolerates gentle abrasion.
2. Spread toothpaste. Squeeze a pea-sized line of white, non-gel toothpaste directly over the crayon and smear it into a thin veil with your finger.
3. Mix the booster paste. In a small bowl, stir 1 tablespoon baking soda with 1 tablespoon warm water and a drop of dish soap until it forms a gritty slurry.
4. Work small sections. Dip an old toothbrush in the slurry and scrub the toothpaste-coated mark using tight circles for 10–15 seconds. Keep the bristles barely damp so they glide rather than gouge.
5. Wipe and rinse. Immediately wipe the area with a microfiber cloth rinsed in clean warm water, then follow with a second cloth to remove any chalky haze.
6. Dry and inspect. Buff the wall with a dry towel. If color remains, repeat steps 2–5, refreshing the paste as needed.
7. Finish with a mild wash (optional). For stubborn residue on glossy trim, mix a drop of dish soap into a quart of water, wipe lightly, then dry.

What NOT To Do

• Skip colored or gel toothpaste—they can stain or remain sticky.
• Don’t lean on the brush; heavy pressure will burnish flat paint.
• Avoid solvent-heavy cleaners (acetone, rubbing alcohol) unless the manufacturer of your paint approves them.
• Keep melamine sponges and sandpaper away from eggshell walls; they level the sheen faster than they lift the wax.

Resources

• Colgate Cavity Protection (Amazon)
• Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (Amazon)
• OXO Deep Clean Brush Set (Amazon)
• Chemical Guys Premium Microfiber Towels (Amazon)