How To Use Toothpaste To Remove Marks On Your Walls
I used to get so stressed out every time I saw a new scuff mark or a stray crayon line on my hallway walls. It felt like I was constantly noticing these little imperfections that made my home feel messy with no way to fix them. One afternoon, while I was getting ready for bed, I remembered an old tip about using toothpaste to clean up small spots. I tried it on a stubborn shoe scuff, and it worked so well that I just had to share it.
The Right Kind Of Toothpaste
Before you start, you need to check your tube of toothpaste. The best toothpaste for cleaning walls is the basic, white, non-gel variety. You want the plain stuff because it contains a tiny amount of abrasive material that helps scrub away the mark. Avoid the blue or green gels, and definitely stay away from anything with charcoal or heavy dyes. Those colored pastes can actually leave a new stain on your paint, which is exactly what we are trying to avoid.
Why It Works So Well
Toothpaste is designed to be a very gentle abrasive for your teeth, which makes it surprisingly perfect for patching up painted surfaces. It is just strong enough to lift away surface level dirt and wax without being as harsh as a chemical cleaner or a heavy duty sponge. It acts like a very fine liquid sandpaper that gently buffs out the mark. Plus, it usually smells quite fresh, which is a nice change from the harsh smell of chemical cleaners.
Test A Small Spot First
Even though this is a gentle cleaning method, every paint finish is a little bit different and accidents can always happen. Before you go to town on a giant scuff in the middle of the room, find a hidden spot behind a door or near the floorboard. Put a tiny dab of toothpaste there and wipe it away. This checks to make sure that the paste doesn't change the sheen of your paint or leave a dull spot behind. It is a quick step that saves a lot of worry and headaches down the line.
Applying The Paste
When you are ready to tackle the mark, put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste directly onto the wall or onto a clean cloth. You do not need much at all. Using your finger or a soft cloth, rub the paste over the mark in small, circular motions. Don't press too hard. You are just letting the mild abrasives in the paste do the work of loosening the scuff from the texture of the paint. It should start fading quickly.
Tackling Crayon Marks
If you have kids, you probably have a few "art projects" on your walls that weren't exactly commissioned. Toothpaste is especially good at removing crayon because the oils in the paste help break down the wax. If the crayon is thick, you can even use an old, soft toothbrush to gently scrub the area. The bristles help the paste get into the tiny dips in the drywall texture to lift out every bit of that colorful wax.
Rinse It
Once the mark is gone, you need to remove the leftover paste. If you leave it to dry, it can turn into a crusty white film that is hard to see until the light hits it just right. Take a clean, damp microfiber cloth and wipe the area gently. Use a fresh part of the cloth to make sure you have picked up all the suds. It only takes a few seconds but it makes the repair look totally seamless.
Drying The Area
After you have rinsed the spot, take a dry towel and pat the wall. You don't want to leave moisture sitting on your drywall for too long, as it can soften the paint or the paper underneath. Giving it a quick dry also lets you immediately see if you missed any part of the stain. If the mark is still slightly visible, you can repeat the process one more time now that the surface is clean.
When To Use Caution
This trick is fantastic for most flat or eggshell paints, but be careful with high-gloss finishes. The mild grit in the toothpaste can sometimes dull the shine of a glossy surface if you scrub too hard. If you have very dark or vibrant walls, be extra careful with the rinsing part to avoid any white residue. For most standard neutral walls, though, this is a lifesaver that saves you from a trip to the hardware store.
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It is honestly such a relief to have a quick fix for those annoying little wall marks right in the bathroom cabinet. It makes the house feel much more manageable when you can handle a mess in five minutes without a giant bucket of supplies. We all have those days where the house feels a bit chaotic, and these little wins really do help. So next time you see a scuff on your wall, grab your toothpaste and get to work.
Bliss Donahue-Power
