First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Scrape off the loose crayon with a plastic card, lifting it rather than pressing it deeper.
- Test any cleaner on a small hidden spot of the glass first.
- Use only small amounts of cleaner and wipe the spot rather than soaking the glass.
Crayon on glass is wax with color mixed in, so the wax has to lift before the color will come away cleanly. Glass handles water well, so warm soapy water is a safe base, though hot water and abrasives still call for care. Fresh marks usually lift in a round or two, while older color on a window may need more patient passes.
Glass handles a lot of rubbing, so a window or mirror with a fresh mark is usually a quick job. Crayon on a window that has baked in the sun takes longer, so give it a few more gentle passes rather than scrubbing harder. Finish with a clean microfiber cloth to pull off any wax haze and leave the glass streak-free.
Before you start
What glass, windows & mirrors can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care7
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat, once the stain is out
6 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Plastic cardLifts the crayon without scratching the glass.
- All-purpose cleanerCuts the greasy wax part of the crayon. (opens Amazon)
- Liquid dish soapA mild grease cutter for the warm-water wash. (opens Amazon)
- Warm waterLoosens the residue without the shock of hot water on glass.
- Paper towelsWipe away the loosened wax and color. (opens Amazon)
- Sponge or soft clothWorks the soapy water into the spot. (opens Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Scrape off the loose crayon
Lift off as much crayon as you can with a plastic card, holding it at a low angle and working in one direction. Keep the pressure light so the wax doesn't get pushed deeper into the glass.
Tip. Remove the bulk first so the cleaner has less wax to cut.
Step 2 of 5
Spray and wipe the wax away
Spray the stained area with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe it with paper towels. Use a small amount and wipe promptly, since this step is what cuts the greasy part of the crayon.
Step 3 of 5
Work in warm soapy water
Dampen a sponge with warm water and a little liquid dish soap. Work the spot in small circles until the color starts to lift.
Careful. Use warm water, never hot; sudden temperature changes can break glass.
Step 4 of 5
Rinse the glass clean
Rinse the spot with clean water and check it in good light. Anything left behind is what the next round is for.
Tip. Look at the glass from a slight angle to spot faint color.
Step 5 of 5
Repeat until the color lifts
Go back over the spot with the cleaner and soap until no wax or color comes off on the paper towel. Rinse between rounds so you can see how much is left.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for crayon on glass, windows & mirrors
Pick a plain all-purpose spray cleaner and a liquid dish soap, and check the label for fluorine before you buy.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
e-cloth General Purpose Cloth
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on glass, windows & mirrors, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
When the spot is clearing, the crayon comes off in smears on the paper towel and the glass looks clean when you wipe it. If the wax is gone but a faint tint remains, keep going with the cleaner and soap rather than scrubbing harder.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your glass, windows & mirrors
Glass tile
Glass tile in a shower or backsplash follows the same steps, with the warm soapy sponge doing most of the work. If you need extra scrubbing, use a plastic or nylon pad rather than anything rougher.
If the crayon sits in the grout lines, work the cleaner into the grout with a soft brush and rinse well so no residue is left to dull the tile.
Mirror
A mirror takes the same steps, but the cleaner goes on your cloth, never straight onto the glass. Skip ammonia- and vinegar-based cleaners here, since they can damage the edges and backing.
Work gently around the edges and keep the liquid from running down behind the frame. Dry the spot with a clean towel right after the rinse.
Frosted or etched glass
Frosted and etched glass has a textured surface, so the wax can sit down inside the texture. Use the same cleaner and soap, but go slowly and let the cleaner stay on the spot a little longer before you wipe.
A soft cloth works better than a hard sponge here, since it reaches into the texture without pushing the wax further in.
Glass dish or bowl
A glass dish with crayon on it follows the same steps, but let the dish cool before you start. Never add liquid to a dish that is still hot, and don't set it on a countertop, metal surface or in the sink while it's warm.
Wash it by hand with warm soapy water and rinse it well before it goes near a dishwasher.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old crayon is harder to lift than fresh crayon because the wax has had longer to settle into the surface. Start with the same steps and give the cleaner a little longer on the spot before you wipe.
If the crayon has dried into a hard film, scrape again with the plastic card first so you remove as much as you can. Then repeat the spray and soap rounds, rinsing between each one so you can see what's left.
A faint tint that stays after several rounds may not come out fully, and more gentle rounds are the realistic limit on glass. Stop rather than trying harder solvents or bleach, because these steps don't cover them for glass.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on crayon on glass, windows & mirrors?
Most home remedies you'll find online are for fabric, tile or other stains. Most of those are for fabric or tile, so on glass a warm soapy wipe and an all-purpose cleaner do the job.
Works1Skip5
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use gasoline, lighter fluid or carbon tetrachloride
These are dangerous to handle and aren't needed for crayon on glass. The all-purpose cleaner and dish soap in these steps are the safe choice.
Don't use fluorine-based cleaners
Fluorine compounds damage glass and stone, so check the label of any cleaner before you spray it. An all-purpose cleaner or dish soap is the safer pick.
Don't scrape with metal or hard objects
Metal and other hard objects can scratch glass and leave marks that look worse than the crayon. A plastic card does the job without that risk.
Don't scrub with pads or steel wool
Scouring pads, steel wool and sandpaper are too rough for glass. Use a sponge or soft cloth for the warm-water rounds instead.
When to call a professional
If the crayon won't lift after several rounds of these steps, stop rather than scrubbing harder. A glass repair or window cleaning service can look at it in person and tell you what's safe for your particular glass.
Questions
Can I use an eraser sponge on crayon on glass?
No, glass takes only non-abrasive cleaners, and an eraser sponge works by scrubbing; use the plastic card and cleaner instead. Glass takes only non-abrasive cleaners, and an eraser sponge works by scrubbing, so the plastic card and cleaner are the safer choice.
Do I need a solvent to remove crayon from glass?
Not for these steps. The all-purpose cleaner and dish soap cut the wax part, and solvents aren't a safe recommendation for glass here.
Can I put a glass dish with crayon in the dishwasher?
Not until the wax is gone. Scrape the dish and wash it by hand with warm soapy water first, then rinse it well.
Why should I scrape before I clean?
Scraping takes off the bulk of the wax, so the cleaner has less to cut and you smear less across the glass. Keep the pressure light so you don't push the wax deeper.
How do I know a cleaner is safe for my glass?
Test it on a small hidden spot first and look at the glass before you clean the stain. If the spot looks dull or changes, stop and rinse it off.
Can I use bleach on crayon on glass?
Not on these steps. No, stick to the cleaner and dish soap rounds, and rinse well between each one.
Crayon on other materials
Other stains on glass, windows & mirrors
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.