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ᐅ After my child drew on it with colored pencils, my KALLAX looks stained – any cleaning tips?

Created on: 7 Mar 2021 08:27
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Elpeo
Original post
Hello everyone, I have the following problem: My KALLAX shelf from IKEA has some pretty unsightly, blotchy marks caused by my child using colored pencils. The color seems to have penetrated the material, so cleaning with a damp cloth has not been very effective so far. I assume the stains are from wax crayons or relatively oil-based colored pencils. My question is: What specific cleaning methods can I try to remove the stains as thoroughly as possible without damaging the surface of the KALLAX shelf? Are there any products or home remedies that are particularly suitable for this? I would be very grateful for tips and experiences, as I would prefer not to replace the shelf. Thank you in advance!
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INGRID347 Mar 2021 15:05
#7
One more tip: Apply olive oil or baby oil to a cloth and rub it into the stains. This often works very well to dissolve the greasy components of the wax crayon. Afterwards, clean the area with soapy water to remove any remaining oil.
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usron8 Mar 2021 09:22
#8
That sounds really frustrating! 😃 An emergency trick: hairspray! Just spray it on the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. It has removed stains for us several times. But be sure to test carefully if the material can handle it. Good luck, you can do it!
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Alberto518 Mar 2021 10:45
#9
I understand how frustrating that is. My child recently left a piece of artwork on my white shelf as well. I tried something similar with baby oil followed by a gentle cleaner, and it worked well. It’s important to thoroughly dry the area afterward to prevent the wood from swelling. Don’t get discouraged; with patience, you can usually remove the stains. 🙂