Video:Tips for Cleaning Up After Crafts

Transcript:Tips for Cleaning Up After Crafts

Hi, I'm Jacob Taxis for About.com. In this video, you will learn tips for cleaning up after crafts.

Crafts Clean Up: Move the Artwork

Relocate your beautiful art pieces away from the crafting area. They may still be wet with glue or paint. Placing them in a secure spot far away from your clean-up zone will allow you to focus on cleaning while giving the art pieces a safe space to dry.

Crafts Clean Up: Clear Out the Area

Clear away all of the other items you've been working with. Start with the paint, water jar, and brushes to ensure that these items don't spill on the craft area, causing a larger mess. Take these items to the sink to deal with later.

Next, take a few moments to put away all of your reusable art supplies like crayons, markers, scissors, and fresh paper. Finally, remove all of the disposable items from the area. This includes garbage, pencil or crayon shavings and any excess glitter. Use a dry cloth or brush to carefully sweep away any surface debris into a trash bin.

Crafts Clean Up: Wipe Down the Table

After all of the disposable materials have been removed, attack the table with a wet sponge, wiping away any glue or paint. Because these spots are much easier to remove when they're wet, begin the clean-up process immediately after the crafting is finished. If any paint or glue has dried on the table, take a sponge with a mild abrasive texture and work out the spots using warm water.

Crafts Clean Up: Remove the Surface Marks

To remove crayon marks from the table, rub the area with a little white vinegar. If vinegar isn't available, try toothpaste. It's a surprisingly effective mark remover.

Marker marks on a table surface require a bit more effort to remove. For these spots, use a mildly abrasive cleaner and pair it with a sponge. Work the cleaner into the mark by applying consistent pressure with the sponge and moving it in a circular motion. Then, simply rinse the area. If this doesn't do the trick, blot the mark with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol and rinse again.

Crafts Clean Up: Clean the Brushes and the Sponge

Wash the heads of the brushes with soap and warm running water to remove any paint. The brushes are clean when the water running through them is clear. Place the clean brushes in a jar or cup to air dry. When this is complete, rinse out the sponge under running water and set aside to dry.

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