Crayons are a simple drawing tool that most children are familiar with. First introduced to the market in 1903 and offered in eight colors (black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, violet, and yellow), they have been used to create works of art in homes, schools, on trips, and in restaurants around the world. All is not rosy when it comes to these colorful products, though, and you may be wondering how to get rid of crayon smell, you’ve come to the right place. While they may be bright and cheerful to look at, the aroma is not something you want assaulting your olfactory organs. (Just in case we’re mistaken in this assumption, you’ll be happy to know that crayon cologne is available online.)
A crayon smell can show up in places unrelated to where children are working on their own personal masterpieces. At times a car can smell like a five year old has gone to town in it, or your laundry can take on the waxy smell of crayons. Keep reading for solutions to help you get the smell out.
How to Get Rid of Crayon Smell from a Car
1 Ozone Generator to the Rescue
An ozone generator can be used to remove any offensive smells from a car, including a crayon smell. Some types, such as VW and Mercedes Benz, seem to have more issues with this type of door than others. These machines can be ordered online or are available from a local rent-all dealer.
Be sure to clean the interior of the car thoroughly before you run the ozone generator. Any trash or personal belongings should be removed beforehand as well. If the unit you choose does not come with a flexible duct, you will need to attach one before you run the machine. You can use a dryer duct for this purpose. Duct tape can be used to secure it in place.
Close all the doors of the car. Roll up all the windows, with the exception of one. Leave it open wide enough so that you can feed the duct tube into the car. The ozone generator unit itself should remain outside while in use. Use cardboard and tape to seal the space around it. Run the ozone generator for 30 minutes-2 hours to get the crayon smell out of the vehicle.
IMPORTANT: Be absolutely sure that neither you or anyone else spends time inside the car while the ozone machine is running. Failure to do this can cause serious lasting health issues and even death. Once completed, open car doors and allow 20-30 minutes for the car to air out completely.
2 Get the Oil and Filter Changed
It’s possible the crayon smell in your car is coming from the type of fuel you are using. Have your oil and filter changed to see if that improves the situation. Using a premium gas in the tank may help to improve conditions in the passenger cabin, even though it will cause a ding in your wallet.
3 Contact the Dealer for Help
If you notice a crayon smell in a new vehicle that is confined to a certain area, such as the trunk, it may be due to a particular type of solvent used during the manufacturing process. If too much was used, it can give you a momentary flashback to kindergarten (since scent is tied to memory) and not everyone wants to go there when they have long since graduated into their big boy and girl panties. The solution may be covered under a new car warranty, and it worth discussing with the dealership to find out whether this is the case.
4 Ozium Air Sanitizer Spray
Ozium is available online and retailers. It’s an aerosol deodorizer that you spray inside the car to eliminate odors of all kinds, including crayon smell. This stuff is also used in hospitals to deal with things not usually discussed in polite company so we’re confident it can deal with the crayon issue in a vehicle quite effectively. Just follow the directions on the can and make sure you are using it in a well-ventilated area for best results.
Power Out Crayon Smell from Laundry
1 Lower Your Dryer Temperature
Synthetic fabrics should not be dried on high heat. You may be tempted to crank the heat up so that you get this necessary, but boring chore out the away asap so you can move on to other things. We’ve all done it, but you are paying the price if your laundry is not coming out April Fresh. Taking the time to sort your clothes and drying anything that is not 100 percent cotton or another natural fabric on a lower setting can help to eliminate the problem.
2 Take Clothes Out of Dryer While Slightly Damp
Leaving clothes in the dryer a bit too long can also lead to the burnt crayon smell. Rather than trying to bake them in there, take them out when they are a bit damp and hang them up to dry.
Deal with Crayon Smell in Laundry after Drying
1 Baking Soda in Rinse Water
Add a half cup of baking soda to the rinse water in your washing machine. It is a natural and economical deodorizer that should get rid of crayon smell from a previous load of laundry.
2 Add Some Febreze Odor Eliminator
Febreze Odor Eliminator is formulated for use in your wash. It will eliminate smelly stuff like B.O., smoke, cooking odors, and crayon smell from your clothes.
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