How to Get Crayon Out of Carpet (Simple 2-Step Guide)

Kids got creative with crayons on your carpet? Don’t panic—you can get it out! I’ve dealt with this situation more times than I’d like to admit, and I’m going to share the most effective method I’ve learned through experience.

Crayon stains are incredibly stubborn because they’re a combination of wax, oil, and dye. That’s why you can’t just wipe them away. We need a proper 2-step process to tackle this: first, we’ll remove the wax, then we’ll deal with any remaining color stain.

Step 1: First-Aid Actions

CRITICAL WARNING: DO NOT use hot water or scrub immediately. Heat will melt the wax and push it deeper into the carpet fibers, spreading the stain and making it exponentially harder to remove.

Action 1: Scrape Off the Excess

First, grab a dull knife (butter knife or plastic knife works great) or a spoon. Hold it at about a 45-degree angle and gently scrape in one direction to remove as much of the solid crayon from the surface as possible. Don’t press too hard—you just want to lift off the excess wax without pushing it deeper into the carpet.

Action 2: Freeze It

Now, place a bag of ice cubes (or a zip-lock bag filled with ice) directly on the crayon stain. Leave it there for 5-10 minutes. This will harden the wax, making it brittle and much easier to scrape off. Once the wax has hardened, use your knife or spoon to scrape again. You’ll notice small pieces of wax flaking off much more easily.

Step 2: The Main Method – “The Iron Trick”

How It Works

This method works on a simple principle: heat melts the wax, and we use absorbent paper to draw that melted wax out of the carpet. It’s like blotting oil with a paper towel, but we need heat first to liquify the wax.

What You’ll Need

• Iron (set to low or medium heat)
• Brown paper bag or thick white paper towels
• Clean cloth
• Patience (most important!)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Place a brown paper bag or several layers of white paper towels over the crayon stain. Don’t use paper with patterns or printed text—the ink could transfer to your carpet.

Step 2: Plug in your iron and set it to low or medium heat. DO NOT use high heat—this is crucial.

Step 3: Place the iron on the paper bag for 5-10 seconds. Move it gently in circular motions; don’t let it sit in one spot too long.

Step 4: Lift the iron and check the paper bag. You’ll see the wax has transferred onto the paper. Move the bag to a clean section and repeat.

Step 5: Continue this process until no more wax transfers to the paper. This usually takes about 3-5 repetitions.

Pro tip: If the wax isn’t melting, increase the iron temperature slightly. But always start low to avoid damaging your carpet.

Step 3: Remove Remaining Color Stains

After the wax is gone, you might still see a faint color stain on the carpet. This is the dye from the crayon. Don’t worry—now we’ll tackle it. I’ve tested both commercial products and homemade methods. Below are the approaches ranked by effectiveness, so you can choose based on what you have available.

Method 1: Clean with Goo Gone Adhesive Remover (Most Effective)

I’ve tested many commercial carpet cleaning solutions, and Goo Gone Adhesive Remover has proven to be the most effective for waxy, oily stains. The reason is simple: it contains natural citrus-based solvents that break down oil and wax molecules still embedded in carpet fibers. It’s safe for most carpet types, and this method is the quickest and easiest.

Detailed Instructions:

1. Apply a small amount of Goo Gone to a clean cloth (about the size of a quarter)
2. Gently dab (don’t rub) the stained area
3. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes to penetrate the stain
4. Use another clean cloth to gently blot from the outside edges toward the center
5. Repeat until the color fades
6. Move to the final rinse step (see end of article)

Method 2: Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) works as a solvent that can dissolve dye molecules. It evaporates quickly so it doesn’t leave residue, making it a great option when you don’t have specialized products on hand.

What You’ll Need:

• Rubbing alcohol (70% or 90% concentration)
• Cotton balls or clean white cloth
• Small bowl

Detailed Instructions:

1. Pour some rubbing alcohol into the bowl
2. Dip a cotton ball or corner of the cloth into the alcohol
3. Wring it out slightly—you want it damp, not dripping
4. Gently dab the color stain, working from the outer edges toward the center
5. You’ll see the color transfer to the cotton ball
6. Use fresh cotton balls and repeat until the stain disappears
7. Wipe with a damp cloth and let air dry

WARNING: ALWAYS test in a hidden area first. Rubbing alcohol can fade certain carpet types, especially wool or dark-colored carpets. Wait 5-10 minutes and check for any color changes.

Method 3: Dish Soap

Dish soap contains surfactants—molecules with one end that binds to oil/grease and one end that binds to water. They surround dye molecules and help “pull” them out of carpet fibers when you blot. This is the gentlest method, perfect for delicate carpets.

What You’ll Need:

• 1/4 teaspoon dish soap
• 1 cup warm water
• Clean cloth
• Small bowl

Detailed Instructions:

1. Mix dish soap with warm water in the bowl, stir gently (don’t create too many suds)
2. Dip the cloth into the solution and wring it out well
3. Gently dab and press onto the color stain
4. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes to work on the stain
5. Use a clean section of the cloth (or a new one) to blot and lift the solution and stain
6. Repeat 3-4 times or until the color disappears
7. Move to the rinse step

Final Step: Rinse Thoroughly

No matter which method you used above, this step is MANDATORY. You need to remove all cleaning solution residue from the carpet because it can attract dirt later.

1. Dip a clean cloth in cold water and wring it out completely
2. Gently wipe the area you just cleaned
3. Press a dry cloth firmly to absorb excess moisture
4. Let the carpet air dry (you can use a fan to speed this up)
5. Once dry, fluff the carpet fibers with your hand

Important Tips for Getting Crayon Out of Carpet

• Act as quickly as possible. Fresh crayon stains are always easier to remove than old ones.
• Never scrub vigorously—this only pushes the wax and color deeper into the carpet fibers.
• Always work from the outer edges toward the center of the stain to prevent spreading.
• Patience is key. Sometimes you need to repeat the process multiple times.
• For light-colored or expensive carpets, consider calling professional carpet cleaners if you’re not confident.

Frequently Asked Questions