Glitter
Eco-friendly cleaning expert Leslie Reichert, author of The Joy of Green Cleaning, says glitter can be extremely hard to remove. Use your vacuum and your patience. “Whether it's carpeting or hardwood, vacuum as much as you can,” Reichert says. “For hard floors, use the hardwood floor attachment, as the rotating brush will spread it out over the entire floor. On carpet, use a hair removal brush, and just keep going over the area until it's entirely picked up.” If you’re tackling hardwood, make sure to use a dry, large-looped microfiber cloth before you grab your vacuum, and then wipe with a damp paper towel, says Reichert.
Hot Glue
If you drip hot glue, cool it down to remove. “Use an ice cube to make it really stiff, and then scrape as much as you can off,” Reichert says. “Continue picking it off until it's entirely gone.” This will work well for getting hot glue off tables or carpeting.
White Glue
It may be gross and gooey, but white glue isn’t too hard to clean up. “Since it is water-based, just keep dabbing the area with hot, hot water,” says Reichert, noting that you may need to take some time with it. “If it's in a carpet or fabric, only dab. Do not rub. Be patient.”
Glue Sticks
For the third type of glue (they’re all different!), Reichert again suggests steaming-hot water when the water-based stick gets on flat surfaces. But with fabric, beware of accidentally setting the stain: “Do not launder in a hot water wash until the spot or area is free from the glue stick," she says. "Blot with warm water and a drop of soap.”
Paper-Mache
If your kids make a mess of their paper-mache creations, think fast. “Since it’s water-based, it will come off easily while it's still drying,” Reichert says. “The secret is clean it up quickly, because once it dries, it becomes like cement and you will have to pick it off.” If you encounter that worst-case-scenario, Reichert suggests softening the paper-mache with hot water. Realize, though, that the newsprint may stain the table in the process. To remove the ink marks, use an eraser sponge.
Paint
No major tricks for this one, moms: only good, old-fashioned water and a little bit of time. “For water-based paint, use the sink, hot water and lots of soap,” says Reichert.
Washable Marker
Yes, these coloring tools are washable—but be careful not to overdo the “washing,” which may cause the ink stain to spread. “Do not to use too much water on the stain,” says Reichert. “Just use a damp cloth and continue to blot until you don't see anything come off of the cloth.” Dab with a bit of water, and you should be set!
Permanent Marker
So, your kids accidentally used Sharpies instead of magic marker? Reichert says you’re going to need a load of luck with permanent ink, but do try a solvent before giving up on the spot. “Make sure you are well-ventilated [while you work] and the kids and pets are not in the area,” she says, but don’t be afraid to call for backup if you need it. “If it's on a carpet, do not try to remove the stain. Call a professional carpet cleaner, and keep the marker so they know exactly what type of ingredients they are dealing with.”
Play-Doh
Play-Doh can be deceivingly messy—but the fix is quick. Similar to hot glue, the trick is to harden the clay until you can easily remove it from the surface. “Use the ice cube to harden the area, and then chip away until it all comes off,” Reichert says.
Crayons
Crayons are a two-fold disaster, since you’re dealing with both wax and color. “You have to be very careful removing it,” says Reichert. “Use the ice cube trick to get most of the waxy build-up off the fabric, then blot the area with rubbing alcohol. Continue blotting until the color is removed.” Make sure to use it sparingly, though. “Don't pour the alcohol on—it will bleed the color into the surrounding area,” she says. “If the crayon ends up on a wall, use an eraser sponge to remove.”
Messy Crafting Station
The best way to clean up tools efficiently is to have a craft station. Organization expert Jennifer Ford Berry, author of Organize Now! Think and Live Clutter-Free, says to purchase a wheeled, see-through cart with drawers in different sizes to store crayons, construction paper, markers, scissors and more. “You can also use a smaller version, which just has a handle and is even cheaper,” she says. “Use clear labels, ones with the item’s name, or a picture or sticker if your kids are too young to read.” And keep everything compact to reduce the mess. “Toddlers especially are often made responsible for too many things at once,” Berry says. "Adjust their access to items based on their age, and just rotate things out.”
Messy Kids
Motivate kids to clean up (and not just throw things in any old compartment) by utilizing a reward system. “Praise them when they do their best,” says Berry. This may not be perfect, and that’s OK. What’s important is that they’re learning to be organized and responsible for their spaces. “You can even add a sticker chart to the side of the craft container, where 10 stickers gets them a new coloring book,” adds Berry.
