We've all been there. Our toddlers are enjoying some arts and crafts time.
You're watching them closely to make sure they keep their chosen medium to the paper you've provided, and then, something happens, and you have to look away for a moment.
Maybe the doorbell rings. Maybe the important phone call you've been waiting on finally comes through. Or, maybe you just really have to pee, and since everyone seems content, you decide to chance it and run to the bathroom quickly before they notice you're gone.
Whatever the reason may be, it's given them their chance, and they've taken it to unleash their inner artists all over your walls.
Whatever the reason may be, it's given them their chance, and they've taken it to unleash their inner artists all over your walls.
They've taken a few creative liberties and do not understand your lack of love when you lay your eyes on their newest work of art.
Instead of racking your brain to try to understand how quickly your twins can get into mischief, rack your brain for what you've got sitting in your bathroom cupboard.
How to remove marker or pen ink from your walls
Whether it's crayon wax or ink from a marker or pen, there's a quick and easy way to remove your little ones' big doodles on your wall.
If you've got a can of hairspray on-hand, then you've got a solution that'll let you clean up almost as quickly as hitting Ctrl+Z.
Grab a piece of paper towel or a cloth, mist some hairspray onto it, and then rub it onto the ink spots on the wall.
Try not to wipe too much beyond where the artwork is, as you don't want to increase your chances of damaging the paint while removing the pigment from the markers, crayons, or pen doodles.
Once the spots are removed, don't be alarmed if the wall looks a little bit streaky. Use a damp cloth to wipe any excess hairspray off of the wall.
Then, go over the area with a dry cloth and check the wall to see if there's any sign of lingering hairspray particles on the wall.
You'll see them shining on the wall where you removed the ink, if there's anything leftover. Once the wall has been cleaned and dried, it'll look like a blank canvas again, as if your little artists are still waiting on inspiration to strike.
Why it works
Hairspray is alcohol-based, so its polymers break down the color pigments your little artists used in their wall mural.
This method worked wonders when I discovered an undated work of art that extended across two of our dining room walls this morning.
It was history in mere moments, as you'll see in the below Before/After photos. The After is a little shadowy, but all of the pen is gone from the wall, including inside of the corner crease, which was an interesting style choice by the artiste.
Instead of crying over spilled ink or getting upset with the artists formerly known as my twins, I marveled at how easy it was to clean up this unexpected mess.
Before you start scrubbing
Test a small area on the wall with the hairspray before you start scrubbing the main area that needs your attention because if you're too rough with the area, it can pull the color from the wall or damage the finish, depending on your paint type.
Flat or matte paint finishes can absorb moisture, so they're more likely to cause problems with this pigment removal method. This trick tends to work best on glossy or semi-glossy finishes.
Did your twins ever surprise you with a work of art on your wall? Was it a one-off or a regular occurence? What did you use to get your walls pristine again? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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