Asked on Apr 02, 2016

Messy stained marked on apartment walls

Melanie
by Melanie
Ok, my great niece and nephew have made a coloring book out of their white walls- not good:( I need a quick fix to look like there was never a child in that room. Painting is not an option. These walls have crayons food markers ink ect on them. I need homemade go-to quick fixes to clean these walls. Help is needed asap so l came to all of you if there's a fix out there, l know you guys and gals will know what they are .
  10 answers
  • Lori Lori on Apr 02, 2016
    Crayon will come off with the white Magic Eraser sponges (such as Mr. Clean brand). They might help with the other marks--can you tell us more about what the marks (other than crayon) are?
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 02, 2016
    Unfortunately there might be a problem when using anything as the paint will most likely come off the walls.Been there done that ,you can try the eraser but it does take the paint off and leaves streaks. You might want to try a dab of baking soda a little moist in sections and see if it removes the stains.
  • Patty Patty on Apr 03, 2016
    I would use a regular sponge and Greased Lightening with a very gentle touch.
  • 3cookies 3cookies on Apr 03, 2016
    Depends on durability of paint on the wall. Magic eraser is fantastic but if u rub too much will remove the paint. Sometimes simple dish soap in warm soapy water... stains with marker can use cheap hairspray or shaving cream. Magic eraser saves a lot of time but only do a few swipes and test an area in a closet first.
  • Susan Bechamp Susan Bechamp on Apr 03, 2016
    If your apartment manager uses the cheapest paint available, any wall washing will likely remove paint before it removes the stains. Fair warning. That said, dish soap works well on food stains. Magic eraser works well on crayon. Ink might respond to a gentle touch of Goof-off, but be careful with that. Good luck. If all else fails, ask if there is any touch up paint available. (Lots of apartment managers keep extra paint on hand for accidents. That's why every unit is painted the exact same color). Life happens and children have a lot of life in them.
  • Christine Simonson Christine Simonson on Apr 03, 2016
    Hair spray works on ink (ball point) stains. As for the crayon, I would add a WARM sponge (to help soften up the wax) when wiping off.
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Apr 03, 2016
    In addition to trying all the suggestions listed by others, I would also ask their parents to help in cleaning the mess. There's no way to get around the fact that this happened...I'd clean it as best as you can and then beg forgiveness from the landlord and offer to repaint it.
  • Cheryl Gyles Cheryl Gyles on Apr 04, 2016
    I would definitely try the Mr Clean Magic Eraser in a small area first. Also damp rag with Dawn dish soap. You may have to bite the bullet though, and offer to repaint it. You don't specify why "painting is not an option"...is it wallpapered or an unpainted surface to begin with?
  • Melanie Melanie on Apr 04, 2016
    Thanks for all the suggestions I passed them on to my niece and shes giving them all a try. When shes finished i let you know what worked the best and on what stain. Thanks again
  • Deb K Deb K on Jan 03, 2023

    Hi Melanie, hope this helps you out.

    https://mom.com/momlife/how-to-get-pen-marker-and-crayon-off-your-walls#:~:text=Reader's%20Digest%20recommends%20squeezing%20some,ink%20marks%2C%20according%20to%20SFGate.