Cleaning Stains Made by Children: Tips and Tricks

Children are a blessing, but often a messy one. It can feel like a Herculean effort to keep surfaces clean and free of stains once the little ones get to work. From fingerprints to crayon marks, here are some tips and tricks for cleaning common stains made by children.

In this article:

• Fingerprints on walls and doors
• Crayon Marks on walls and furniture
• Stains on carpets and rugs
• Food stains on clothing
• Ink Stains on Clothing
• Grease and Oil Stains on Clothing
• Conclusion

Fingerprints on walls and doors

Those pesky fingerprints love to stick around. There’s probably not a door handle or a light switch in your home that doesn’t like it came out of a crime scene investigation.

Fear not – there’s an easy fix. Just grab a damp cloth with some mild soap, or if you’re feeling adventurous, mix up some baking soda and water. Voila, good as new.

Crayon Marks on walls and furniture

Fingerprints are a common stain children make, but they’re relatively easy to tackle. Crayon marks, on the other hand, can be difficult to clean, especially from walls and furniture.

To remove your child’s latest masterpiece from the wall, mix up some white vinegar and water, and gently rub away the stain.  If it’s really stubborn, you can try a commercial all-purpose cleaner. Be gentle. Otherwise, you might end up ruining your wall (further).

Stains on carpets and rugs

Now, when it comes to carpets and rugs, things can get a bit tricky.  First, blot up as much of the spill as you can with a clean cloth.  Then, use a stain remover that’s specific to the type of stain you’re dealing with. But be careful, test it out in a small area first.

Food stains on clothing

And what about those pesky food stains? For fresh stains, rinse the area under cold water and treat it with a stain remover. But if it’s set in,  try using a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda to loosen it up before washing. This is one of the few scenarios where mixing baking soda and vinegar might do the trick.

Ink Stains on Clothing

Ink stains cause almost everyone to let out a silent scream. Unfortunately, this is another common type of stain children make. How can you clean them up? 

Rubbing alcohol works like a charm for ballpoint ink. And for a permanent marker, you can try white vinegar or rubbing alcohol but don’t hold your breath. They call them permanent markers for a reason. If all else fails, you can try a stain remover designed for ink stains.

Grease and Oil Stains on Clothing

Grease stains can be a real pain but they’re not impossible to remove. For fresh grease stains, use a mixture of cornstarch and baking soda to soak it up before washing.

As for set-in stains, use a stain remover specifically designed for grease and oil. If you prefer natural products, you can try using baking soda again.

Conclusion

Cleaning up after children is no easy feat. But with a bit of patience and some of our tips and tricks, you’ll be able to clean up their messes in no time. Just make sure to test everything out in a small area first, and follow the instructions if you’re using commercial cleaners.

And, as always, don’t hesitate to call in the cavalry if you find yourself overwhelmed. We can offer you both one-off cleaning for when you need a hand or regular cleaning for more consistent support.

Author: Atanas Dzhingarov

Hi, I’m Atanas - brand consultant and writer. I’m helping Samyx Cleaning create the best cleaning company blog on the Internet. Join us on our journey and learn how to live a cleaner, healthier, happier life in the process.