Crayon stains happen. A forgotten crayon in a pocket, an enthusiastic young artist, or a load of laundry that went through the dryer before you caught the stain. However it happened, the good news is that crayon stains are usually removable with some patience and the right approach.
This guide covers everything you need to know about getting crayon out of clothes, from fresh stains to the dreaded melted-crayon-in-the-dryer situation.
Why crayon stains are tricky
Crayon leaves an oil-based stain on fabric. That waxy, pigmented formula is designed to stick to surfaces, which is great for art projects and not so great for your laundry. A dry crayon rubbed on fabric is annoying but manageable. Melted crayon is a different problem entirely.
When crayon goes through a hot dryer cycle, the wax melts into the fibers of the fabric and can smear across other items in the load. It can also leave streaks inside the dryer drum itself. This is why the most important rule with crayon stains is simple: do not put stained clothing in the dryer until the stain is gone.
How to clean crayon off the dryer drum
If you have already run a crayon-stained item through the dryer, start by wiping down the drum with a paper towel to remove the bulk of the wax. Then use a clean magic eraser to work through the remaining stain. Run the dryer empty with a few old rags inside before you wash anything else in it.
Check the care label first
Before you try anything, check the care label on the stained item. If it says dry clean only, take it to a professional cleaner rather than trying to treat it at home. For everything else, the methods below should work well. That said, I always recommend spot testing any cleaning method in a hidden area of the fabric first, especially on delicate materials or dark colors.
Step one: harden and scrape the wax
If you are dealing with a fresh or melted crayon stain, your first move is to harden the wax so you can remove it physically before applying any cleaning product. Fill a zip-top bag with ice and press it against the stained area. Leave it there until the wax feels firm and solid.
Once the crayon has hardened, use a dull knife or the edge of a credit card to gently scrape away as much wax as possible. Work carefully and avoid spreading the stain to clean areas of the fabric. Getting the bulk of the wax off at this stage makes every subsequent step more effective.
Dish soap method
Dish soap is often the first thing to reach for with oil-based stains, and it works well on crayon. Apply a small amount of liquid dish soap directly to the stained area. Use your fingers or an old toothbrush to work the soap gently into the fabric.
Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse the area thoroughly with warm water. Make sure all the soap is rinsed out before moving on. Apply a stain remover or a heavy-duty laundry detergent to the area, then wash the garment on the hottest water setting that is safe for the fabric, using the heavy soil cycle if your machine has one. Air dry the item and check the stain before putting it anywhere near the dryer.
Oil pretreatment method
For stubborn stains, an oil-based pretreatment can help lift the crayon wax from the fabric. You can use WD-40, cooking oil, butter, or even mayo for this step. Place a piece of cardboard or a folded paper towel underneath the stained area to protect the rest of the garment.
Apply your chosen oil to the stain from the front of the fabric, then repeat from the back. Let it soak for 15 minutes. After that, apply liquid dish soap directly on top of the oil and work it into the stain with your fingers or a toothbrush. Let that sit for another 15 minutes. If the stain has lifted, wash the garment as normal. Check it before drying.
Vinegar method
Vinegar is a reliable household cleaner that can also help with crayon stains. Start by bringing a pot of water large enough to hold the stained item to a boil. Soak the clothing in the hot water for 15 minutes. The heat helps to loosen the wax from the fabric fibers.
After soaking, transfer the clothing to your washing machine. Add half a cup of white vinegar and a few tablespoons of dish soap along with your regular laundry detergent. Go easy on the dish soap since it is concentrated and can cause excess suds in the machine. Run a wash cycle using hot water. You may need to repeat the process if the stain is significant.
Baking soda method
Baking soda is another simple option worth trying. Wash the stained clothing in hot water with your regular detergent and add one cup of baking soda to the cycle. This works well as a complement to other methods rather than a standalone treatment for heavy stains.
Bleach for white fabrics
If the stained item is white and nothing else has worked, bleach may be the answer. You can use either chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach, depending on what the care label allows. Always check the label before using bleach, and never use it on colored fabrics unless you want to deal with a second problem on top of the first.
Machine washing tips
Whatever pretreatment method you use, wash the clothing on the hottest water temperature the fabric can handle and use the heavy soil setting if your machine has one. Air dry after washing and inspect the item in good light before you consider the job done. A stain that looks faint when wet can look much worse once it dries, so check carefully before moving on.
What to do when the stain won’t budge
Sometimes a stain just does not come out completely, no matter what you try. If it is a child’s clothing item, consider designating it as play clothes. That way, it gets used for messy activities where stains are expected and you stop worrying about it.
If the stained item is something you really want to save, or if it is a more delicate piece, a professional dry cleaner is worth a visit. They have access to solvents and tools that are not available at home, and they may be able to remove what you could not.
For more practical cleaning advice, check out our guides on how to get mascara out of clothes, how to get detergent stains out of clothes, how to clean seat belts, and how to clean a sheepskin rug. You can also browse everything in the cleaning category for more helpful tips.
A quick summary of what works
Start by hardening the wax with ice, then scrape off as much as you can. Use dish soap or an oil-based pretreatment to break down the remaining stain. Wash in hot water with heavy-duty detergent, and add vinegar or baking soda to the cycle if needed. Air dry and check before putting the item in the dryer. Repeat if necessary, and call in a professional cleaner if the stain persists on something important.
Crayon stains are frustrating, but they are rarely permanent with the right approach. Most of the time, a little dish soap, some patience, and a hot wash cycle will take care of it.
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