Getting crayon off of stuff

DIYLife.com is a great website for the do-it-yourselfer.  If you have young aspiring artist in your home you will more than likely have to deal with an occasional crayon masterpiece where you don't want it.  DIYLife.com has some great tips to get that crayon off of many different things in your home.  (read the entire article at DIYLife.com.)

THE WALL


Materials

Hairdryer
Thin knife or razor blade
Cloth
Cold water
Baking soda

Directions

1. Hold the hairdryer about one foot from the wall and blow-dry on medium heat for about one minute to heat the wax.

2. Once the wax softens, gently scrape it off the wall with a thin knife or blade. It should lift easily. If it doesn't, apply heat again to melt the wax further.

3. Wipe the excess crayon away with cold water and a rag. In most cases, this should finish the job. But for textured walls, the wax might be stuck in the indentations and be harder to remove. If there is leftover residue, continue to step 4.

4. Mix a small amount of baking soda with water and work the solution over the stain with a cloth. The grit of the baking soda will work into the textured surface, scouring away the remaining stain.

THE CARPET

Materials
Ice
Zipper-locking bag
Iron
Old towel or paper towel
Knife with thin blade

Directions

1. Fill a zipper-locking bag with ice and place the bag over the crayon stain. Hold it for about two minutes, or until the area is frozen (this time will depend on the length of your carpet fibers; short fibers will freeze faster).

2. Carefully chip away any wax with a knife.

2. Lay an old towel that you don't mind staining or a very absorbent paper towel over the stain. Apply a hot iron to the towel and hold it for about one minute. The heat and steam should bring up most of the stain, transferring it to the towel.

3. There will be some trace stains left over. Many people suggest using WD-40, but one Frugal Life reader suggests a product called Simple Green if you want a natural cleaning solution.

CLOTHES

Materials
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup of OxiClean cleaning agent
1 cup of Shout stain remover
1 cup of laundry detergent
Goo Gone household cleaner (about 6 sprays worth)

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a hot water cycle and run the clothes through the washing machine.

2. Check that the stains are gone before putting the clothes in the dryer. Repeat if necessary.

THE FLAT-SCREEN TV

Materials
WD-40 or rubbing alcohol
Microfiber or 100% cotton cloth (they won't leave lint on the screen)

Directions

1. Apply WD-40 or alcohol solution and let it sit.

2. Gently wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.

LEATHER SURFACES

Materials
Thin knife
Fuller's Earth (you'll find it at beauty supply stores and craft shops)
Cloth
Leather conditioner

Directions

1. Scrape off as much wax as you can.

2. Mix two parts water and one part Fuller's Earth. Apply the solution to the stain and wait for it to dry.

3. The Fuller's Earth will have lifted the stain. Gently brush it away. If necessary, repeat.

4. Apply leather conditioner. This helps blend the color and makes sure that the texture stays even.

5. As with any of these methods, make sure you test a small, hidden area first to make sure it's color safe and won't damage the leather.