Having a little 7-year-old boy at home has brought me to the realization that it’s impossible to keep a sparkling clean home, let alone clean fingers. We have a strict rule of washing hands at several intervals during the day. Especially when Covid-19 struck, hand washing became a super important part of our lives. But this article has more to do with how to get marker stains off the skin.
Kids love bright colors when drawing or painting. Whether our young artists are making school projects or simply keeping busy at home drawing aliens in different colors you know that an unintentional mishap might happen. Cough, cough…will happen… So my tips are written for Crayola marker ink stains as well as regular markers.
How To Get Rid Of Crayola Marker Stains On Skin
1. Soap and Warm Water: The Classic Clean-Up
- Alright, dads, if your kid’s got Crayola marker ink all over their hands, head straight to the sink. Warm water and a good squirt of human-safe dish soaps should do the trick. Many school supplies nowadays offer washable markers but you might be caught off guard with some permanent marker stains… Read on…
2. Baby Wipes: The Super Handy Solution
- Baby wipes aren’t just for daily use and diaper duty! How did our parents ever go through diaper days without these awesome wipes? I’ll never know… Grab a few and let your child have a mini spa session. They’re perfect for quick clean-ups and getting rid of those stubborn marker stains without any fuss.
All baby wipe brands are made with different ingredients such as alcohol vs non-alcohol and for the sensitive skin ones I would combine wipes plus a dab of toothpaste! Check out #5
++Daddy Tip
Don’t ever, forever use a magic eraser or magic sponges. If you google images online you’ll see the damage it could cause your child. They work wonders in the kitchen and bathrooms but not on the skin.
++Daddy Tip 2
Also, don’t use dry erase markers on the skin. They can cause rashes and other reactions.
3. Rubbing Alcohol and Hand Sanitizer: The Power Duo
- Got a more persistent Crayola marker ink mess? Time for a little rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. Just dab a bit of these high alcohol content products on a cotton ball and gently rub it on the stained skin. It’s like magic—those colors will vanish before you know it!
Depending on the child’s age and skin sensitivity, I would try to use a toothbrush or some type of scrubbing tool without damaging the skin. I heard of people also using white vinegar but I’ve never tried it.
++Daddy Tip
Try your wife’s nail polish remover. Yes, it stinks like crazy but it’s made to remove paint! So, triple-check the instructions and see if it’s a viable solution for your child’s skin. You could also incorporate some water and soap along with the remover to make it weaker for sensitive skin.
++Daddy Tip 2
Try a tiny drop before applying to larger areas. The last thing you want is a child’s allergic reaction due to reading the Daddy Simply Blog…
4. Olive Oil or Coconut Oil: The Smooth Operator
- If you’re feeling a bit fancy, try some olive or coconut oil. Just a tiny amount rubbed in will help lift the marker off the skin. Plus, your kid might end up with super soft hands—bonus! This one might not work as well. It’s another ol’ school method but I’ve rarely seen it work on deep marker stains.
5. Toothpaste (Non-Gel): The Secret Weapon
- Grab some non-gel toothpaste and put a small dab on the ink stains. Let your little one gently scrub with their fingers or a soft toothbrush. Make sure it’s the white paste style and I highly suggest using either a kitchen sponge or a used toothbrush that you no longer need. Rinse off with milk, and those vibrant Crayola marker ink colors become history!
Milk? Oh yeah…read on. This toothpaste trick is great for many things: cleaning white sneakers, getting stains off the walls and floors as well as getting stubborn grease stains off the kitchen counter. No joke! It all comes from my mom. I did say milk earlier…check out #6
6. Hairspray and Milk: Ol’ School
- This also comes from my mom. May she rest in peace, she did give me plenty of advice to help me through fatherhood. You can use a short shot of hairspray straight onto the skin and rub gently with a toothbrush or sponge. Make sure to let the hairspray sit on the skin for 10 seconds or so. If you see that the marker is slowly coming off, you can then proceed by rinsing it with milk. Yep…milk. Thanks, Mom!
++Daddy Tip
Always use a circular motion with any of my tips. I really don’t know why but it works better.
++Daddy Tip 2
Not sure if you trust your little ones with markers around the house, just simply opt-for Crayola markers with washable ink. Crayola has been in business for almost 140 years! They know what they’re doing.
Broad Line Markers vs Fine Tips
Imagine broadline markers as your big, bold brushes. They have a wide tip, so they’re perfect for filling in large areas and making strong, noticeable thick lines. They’re great for big projects like posters or signs where you need your work to really stand out.
On the flip side, fine-tip markers are like your tiny, detailed paintbrushes. They have a slim tip, which means you can make precise, delicate fine lines. They’re awesome for intricate drawings, writing small text, or adding those little details that make your artwork pop.
So, if you’re working on something big and bold, go with the broadline. If you need to get into the nitty-gritty and make everything look just right, the fine-tip is your best friend.
The Last Mark
There you go, dads—easy tricks to get your little artist’s skin marker-free and ready for their next creative adventure! I hope you can pass-down my tips to future generations to come…
