Today’s tip was a life-saver for me several months ago…well, maybe not a LIFE saver, but a wall saver for sure! Without my knowledge, my two year old son went down for his nap with a purple crayon in his possession. To make matters worse, he went to bed with a NON-WASHABLE purple crayon. (Why these crayons are even made is beyond me btw.)

Alas, “Henry and the Purple Crayon,” was not quite as endearing and beloved as the classic children’s book, “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” by Crockett Johnson. Oh the mess…purple crayon on the walls, his bed, the bed rail, his Woody doll…I was NOT amused. I was even less amused when I went to wipe it off and it stayed. (And then I cursed the manufacturer for making a non-washable crayon and marketing it to children..)

I ran downstairs and got my trusty Mr. Clean Magic Eraser….While that remarkable little tool gets darn near everything else off surfaces, the crayon stayed put. So, I had to be a bit more resourceful, and I found an amazing way to get off the crayon, and save my paint job too! (without chemicals or a trip to the store for special cleaner!)

If you should happen to find yourself up crayon creek without a paddle, try this amazing little trick to get that crayon off just about any surface! (Worked on the painted wall, plastic Woody, wooden bed, and nylon bed rail!)

1. Survey the damage….breathe…don’t panic. Help is on the way.

2. Okay, freak out is over….Now, get your child out of time out, and go get a box of baby wipes and a box of baking soda.

3. Sprinkle some of the baking soda onto the baby wipe and rub it in just a bit with your fingers. It will be clumpy and loose, and you can count on vacuuming when you are done.

4. Rub the baking soda laden wipe onto the affected area. Some powder will fall to the floor, but that’s okay. Work the wipe in a circular motion, with a medium amount of pressure. The crayon will magically come off!

5. Change out the wipe and soda as needed, and keep working at it until the crayon is gone. I think I needed about 4 or 5 wipes to get the wall clean, and just one for the other items.

6. Get out the vacuum and clean up the baking soda. Sit back and admire your resourcefulness as a mother.

7. If your child is older, you can make THEM do this. Natural consequences are fabulous.

While I pray you won’t need to use this tip, keep it in your back pocket, and pull it out if you need it!