Crayon and Color Pencil Removal (And Consequence for the Destruction)

Updated on June 24, 2010
H.S. asks from Little Elm, TX
25 answers

My four year old took to marking up her headboard while in time out. I discovered it tonight when putting her to bed. I told her there would be a consequence but that I'd have to speak to her dad when he got home. Later on I went to check on her and she was still awake so I decided to let her try and scrub some of it off.

I don't want to repaint the headboard because matching the color would be difficult - any suggestions to get it off? I've tried folex, nail polish remover, scrubbing with wet rag - it's fading in areas but it's not completely off and it's taking a while.

I would also like any suggestions for a consequence for her actions.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Dallas on

We use Goo Gone and I make my daughter(2 yr. old) clean it off. Then I don't let her use the crayons for a day or two. But I keep reminding her that crayons are not for drawing on the wall...only on coloring books or paper.

1 mom found this helpful

L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Toothpaste...
Magic erasers work, but they can take the finish off - be careful
FYI: time outs need to be given in hard kitchen chairs otherwise it's not a real time out. Trust me on this - I've given many time outs and they only work if the child is uncomfortable.
YMMV
LBC

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Dallas on

Ironically the Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover works better than Goo Gone. Scary but true! I've used it on all sorts of mishaps.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.L.

answers from Dallas on

Try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Seriously! It really works. My one-year-old wrote on our cloth chairs with a ball point pen and it took it off! It's worth a try. Good luck!

As far as a consequence, I'd have her do chores to earn the money to buy the Magic Eraser.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.A.

answers from Houston on

Girlfriend!!! You havent heard of Majic erasure!?! that stuff is the bomb!!!! Even if that doesnt work...just repaint.

And remember....headboards will come and go...those stinkers are forever!!!! :)

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.J.

answers from Dallas on

409 works wonders. My daughter did the same thing at 2. Just making her scrub it seemed to work.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.T.

answers from Lubbock on

'0000' steelwool and water, is delicate enough that it will not harm furniture. You can also use with a degreaser.

As for consequence remove all crayons and pencils from her room. Tell her writing and drawing is for paper and can be done in the kitchen.

Hope you find the answer you are looking for.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.F.

answers from Dallas on

WD-40 is an amazing solvent! A little goes a long way and cleans so many things. You need to supervise it's use though. Using time out for a 4 year old is a wonderful lesson, if used appropriately. Bedrooms are for sleeping, and usually where a kids favorite toys are. Sending a toddler to their room is pretty much just free time with all their things. Time out is for a short time period in a place with nothing to do, literally. A corner in a visible place with no distractions where they are within your sight works best. The purpose is to remove them from "fun" and learn what they did is not acceptable. There needs to be a beginning and set time for the time out to end, otherwise it won't work. 4 minutes in a corner or against the wall is about the limit, 1 minute per year of age? Then move on. I would surely keep markers, paint and the like out of her reach for quite a few more years. Most kids get in the most trouble when they are bored.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Dallas on

Try using Magic Eraser or spray shout, either one should remove it easily.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.F.

answers from Dallas on

Magic eraser will take it off. Scrub as lightly as you can since it takes off the finish as well. My toddler got a sharpie on our hardwood floors and our coffee table and magic eraser sponge took it off immedietly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.C.

answers from Provo on

Was she doing it on purpose to misbehave? When my son was 3 he drew a pretty picture on our white carpet with purple marker. He was very proud of himself for making such a nice picture and had no idea he had done anything he shouldn't. I explained to him that we only draw on paper and he never drew on anything he shouldn't draw on again. There was no need for punishment, only explanation.

If she was doing it intentionally to misbehave, then that is of course another matter.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.P.

answers from Dallas on

Try the Mister Clean sponge...it removes just about any kind of marker, crayon, etc. And make her do the clean up...that's the best consequence.

A.G.

answers from Houston on

magic eraser.........and take the crayons and map pencils away for at least a week, reminding them everyday why

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

Mr. Clean magic erasers are my very best friend!!! Those things get EVERYTHING off!!!

S.V.

answers from Dallas on

I order products from a wellness company that have had great results with stuff like this.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Dallas on

Try magic eraser, it works wonders! As for consequences, I'd take away the previlege of using colors/markers unless I was right there with her. I think I'd also make her scrub the headboard (which you did) and just have a good talk about how you don't color on anything but paper. I'll also throw this out...someone once said they always give the kids the benefit of the doubt for the 1st offence. If even you think they SHOULD know not to do something, until you've really laid it out, you have to assume they don't know what they can/can't do, so have the discussion with her, and if it happens again, then move on to a more harsh punishment. All punishments should be something that affects the child - no TV for 2 days, no coloring, no DS, etc. Whatever is really important to the child.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.R.

answers from Dallas on

WD-40 also will take off crayon on NON-POROUS things. Then they have to use something else to take off the oily residue left by the WD-40.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.R.

answers from New York on

magic eraser! test a small area first though. and i know its obvious, but dont let her use it, it will burn her. my consequence would be to take away the markers for a while.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.S.

answers from Chicago on

Since she drew on the headboard in time-out I'm guessing she did it on purpose, not just expressing her artistic side!

I would make her repeat the timeout. She's too young to scrub it off without hurting herself or the headboard. You could try to make her sit and do nothing while you scrub it off. If you have to do extra work, she can't have fun! Or you could have her help you with something to "repay" the time you spent cleaning off her headboard. Something she could do to help that's not part of her normal chores. That way the punishment fits the crime.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.W.

answers from Dallas on

Melaleuca sells this stuff called sol-u-mel. It is awesome and all-natural. no chemicals!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.G.

answers from Portland on

I had marker on my table, and making a paste of baking soda and water worked wonders- far better than soap did.
Its a little abrasive, but not much. And it doesn't have all the needless chemicals in it.
Good luck, remember she's only four. :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Dallas on

My suggestion is to try "Awesome" which can be purchased in the cleaning section at Dollar Tree or "Goo be gone". Either of these should work without harm. For consequences I would tell her she cannot have any writing utensils for an amount of time of your choice. Good luck...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.K.

answers from Chicago on

Have you tried Magic Eraser? I'm not sure I would do anything other than explain to her that she is hurting her own things . And if she can't take care of her things you won't buy her new ones until she can show you she can take care of them. I ask my kids if they want me to give X away when they mistreat it. I tell them I will find a child who will take care of it. They scream "Nooooooo". It works for me:)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.M.

answers from Portland on

Just to offer another perspective: I secreted pencils and crayons to bed when I was around that age, and drew on the wallpaper. My mom was livid when she saw my artwork, and probably spanked me. (I don't recall; I got spanked for all sorts of things.) But I do remember that she took away my art media for some long time, and I was forbidden to draw.

For me, that was like getting my hands cut off for doing things that felt natural, creative, joyful and positive. I'm pretty sure it would have been adequate, for me, to have my mother's distress made clear, and be given some other alternative for doing my artwork.

I'm an artist, and have since gone on to become an illustrator, mount one-person shows, and make my living at doing that activity that I craved as a child. Not saying your daughter will necessarily go on to a career in art, but she may have had the same kind of joy in making her mark. I'm not sure an unmarked headboard is a higher value.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Magic Erasers are great, but they say not to use them on wood products. I've learned this the hard way, so if it's a painted wooden head board, I'd NOT use one.

Have you tried products like Goo Gone? You can get them in the cleaning isle anywhere and are really great with just about anything that needs to come off a surface (even paint on clothing in most cases).

I'd also try rubbing alcohol. It was what I found worked when our daughter took a red ink pen to the light gray leather in our new car. Took some elbow grease, but it worked.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions