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REMOVING A STAIN DURING YOUR ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITIES: TIPS AND ADVICE
Being creative means freely expressing yourself, but it can also mean stains! Whether you're working with paints, pastels or pens, each medium has its own characteristics and requires specific cleaning. At Caran d'Ache we want to help you make the most of your special creative moments, without worrying about accidents. Whether you've got a stain on your clothes or on a wall, here are our tips and advice for removing stains according to your medium.
GOUACHE PAINT: WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF STAINS
Gouache is a water-based paint that is easy to use. That said its pigments can quickly get stuck on fabric if the stain is not removed immediately.
● Rinse the gouache stains with warm water as soon as you can. Use a soft soap to eliminate the pigments. A quick rinse will prevent the colors from sticking to fabric and textiles.
● For more difficult stains, apply a stain removal product or white vinegar. Dab the stain, rinse with cold water and place your item of clothing in the washing machine.
● Rinse the gouache stains with warm water as soon as you can. Use a soft soap to eliminate the pigments. A quick rinse will prevent the colors from sticking to fabric and textiles.
● For more difficult stains, apply a stain removal product or white vinegar. Dab the stain, rinse with cold water and place your item of clothing in the washing machine.
REMOVING ACRYLIC PAINT STAINS
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying paint which once dry becomes water resistant. This makes acrylic paint stains hard to remove if they are not dealt with quickly.
● Use water and a gentle household soap such as Savon de Marseille to clean the acrylic paint stains while the paint is still wet.
● For dry stains, add some rubbing alcohol to a cloth and delicately dab the stain. Repeat this operation until the stain has disappeared.
REMOVING STAINS MADE BY OIL PASTELS AND WAX PASTELS
Because of their oily composition, oil and wax pastels leave stains that are hard to remove.
● Immediately dab the stain with a clean dry cloth to remove the excess. Avoid rubbing as this will make the stain spread.
● To dissolve the residual oil pastel, use solvents such as turpentine or rubbing alcohol. Apply the solvent on a cloth and gently rub the stains.
● For wax-based pastels, use a hot iron on a piece of absorbent paper to melt the wax and remove it.
● Once you have removed as much of the pastel as you can, wash the clothes with a gentle soap and warm water and rinse carefully.
● Immediately dab the stain with a clean dry cloth to remove the excess. Avoid rubbing as this will make the stain spread.
● To dissolve the residual oil pastel, use solvents such as turpentine or rubbing alcohol. Apply the solvent on a cloth and gently rub the stains.
● For wax-based pastels, use a hot iron on a piece of absorbent paper to melt the wax and remove it.
● Once you have removed as much of the pastel as you can, wash the clothes with a gentle soap and warm water and rinse carefully.
REMOVING FELT TIP PEN STAINS FROM CLOTHES
Felt tip pens, especially those that are solvent based, can leave stains that run deep into fabrics and surfaces.
● Using a clean cloth, apply rubbing alcohol on to the stain and gently dab the fabric until the stain dissolves.
● For a gentler method apply lemon juice or white vinegar on the stain and leave it for a few minutes before washing it in warm water.
● Using a clean cloth, apply rubbing alcohol on to the stain and gently dab the fabric until the stain dissolves.
● For a gentler method apply lemon juice or white vinegar on the stain and leave it for a few minutes before washing it in warm water.
5 TIPS TO AVOID STAINS
1. If you enjoy colouring with your children, opt for felt tip pens with a water-soluble ink which are easier to clean.
2. Protect the area you're working in, your furniture and the walls with an oilcloth, tablecloth or newspaper.
3. Wear a smock, an apron, or old clothes that can get stained to avoid dirtying your clothes.
4. Use a fixative for pastels to minimise the risk of stains.
5. Always have wipes nearby so you can quickly clean your hands and avoid staining your clothes.
2. Protect the area you're working in, your furniture and the walls with an oilcloth, tablecloth or newspaper.
3. Wear a smock, an apron, or old clothes that can get stained to avoid dirtying your clothes.
4. Use a fixative for pastels to minimise the risk of stains.
5. Always have wipes nearby so you can quickly clean your hands and avoid staining your clothes.
SUPPLIES YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE NEARBY
Whether you are an artist, a Fine Arts student or have children who are passionate about drawing, here are some must-have products to help with stain removal.
● Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda: to remove stubborn stains on textiles and fabrics.
● Lemon: for cleaning felt-tip stains on fabric.
● White vinegar: a natural stain remover for stains made by paint and felt-tip pens.
● Rubbing alcohol: ideal for permanent marker pen stains.
● Gentle household soap such as Savon de Marseille: use with warm water for immediate cleaning.
HELP! WHAT TO DO IF I GET PAINT ON THE WALL?
Your children, or maybe even you, have left a paint or felt tip pen stain on a wall. Follow these tips to avoid having the pigments get dried in and before the stains become too difficult to remove.
● For paint stains, use a damp sponge, soapy water and delicately rub the wall before rinsing with clear water.
● If you've got traces of felt tip pen on your wall, apply white vinegar or rubbing alcohol on a cloth and rub the stain. For pastels, use a magic eraser or a damp sponge.
● For paint stains, use a damp sponge, soapy water and delicately rub the wall before rinsing with clear water.
● If you've got traces of felt tip pen on your wall, apply white vinegar or rubbing alcohol on a cloth and rub the stain. For pastels, use a magic eraser or a damp sponge.
💡 Have the kids left traces of paint, pencil or felt tip pen on the couch? To remove these stains, dab them with a cloth that's been soaked in rubbing alcohol or white vinegar. Then use a damp sponge or cloth with soapy water. Dab the fabric with a clean cloth and leave it to dry.
PAINTING WITH KIDS: WHICH RANGE TO CHOOSE?
When painting with your kids, always opt for gouache paint that is washable and non-toxic. Caran d'Ache Studio gouache is ideal, offering bright colours and easy to wash out.
Prefer water-soluble felt tip pens if you want to avoid permanent stains. The Fibralo™ felt tip pens are perfect for kids. They can be washed with soap and water which makes it easier to remove stains on clothes, fabric or walls.
For children, Caran d'Ache offers a large range of supplies that are adapted to young artists, such as the Supracolor™ Aquarelle colouring pencils and the Prismalo™ Aquarelle range. These products are not only easy to use, but also easy to clean as they can be machine-washed.
Prefer water-soluble felt tip pens if you want to avoid permanent stains. The Fibralo™ felt tip pens are perfect for kids. They can be washed with soap and water which makes it easier to remove stains on clothes, fabric or walls.
For children, Caran d'Ache offers a large range of supplies that are adapted to young artists, such as the Supracolor™ Aquarelle colouring pencils and the Prismalo™ Aquarelle range. These products are not only easy to use, but also easy to clean as they can be machine-washed.
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+41 (0) 848 558 558
(Calls from Switzerland : at local rate. Calls from abroad : at telecom provider’s international rate.)
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