Come On Crayola; Is it washable or not?

I’ve had my share of red crayon on the walls… and the sofa …. and the bed frame. But when there are markers in the house, boy, that is the mother lode. The boys grab for those whenever they see them. There is no crayon that can hold a candle to a good, moist, capped marker.

Now I know that baking soda and water will scrub any marker mess off walls, hands, books, and sometimes fabric.

And with markers come, bigger messes. Markers require more sophisticated methods of cleanup. Messes that usually involve rubbing alcohol, mineral spirits, or something toxic of the sort.

I am thrilled that Crayola has come out with “Washable” markers. Because, when it comes to art, the kids are all about graffiti. As in, why color on a small rectangle of paper, when there is all of this blank wall space that has yet to be explored?! And, I’m sure Crayola knows this, since 1903 they have been manufacturing its products. And,

The Crayola name has 99% recognition among U.S. consumer households, is sold in more than 80 different countries and represents innovation, fun, kids and quality.

And I’m sure that the Crayola stain removal site has given them first-hand experience with the kind of “innovation and fun” their products bring out in children.

However, I noticed this tiny little disclaimer at the bottom of the package of the Crayola Washable Markers, Classic Colors. Right below, the blue bubbles, where it says, “Washability that you can trust”

Stain Advisement: Keep away from wallpaper, painted walls, finished and unfinished wood, vinyl, carpeting and other materials that cannot be laundered.

I have always, I guess mistakenly, assumed that washable meant the markers “wash off.” I had no idea they were talking about the washability of my kid’s clothes! No, the markers are not really washable. Silly me.

Hey kids, let’s just take those crayons out to the concrete driveway, and nobody gets hurt, OK?