Clean a finger paint mess at home.
An afternoon of finger painting fun can quickly make a downward turn when your little ones decide to take the art making outdoors. A quick spill or an elaborate hand print masterpiece on a concrete driveway or walkway can leave your exterior looking not so neat. Never fear, This artsy mess will not stay as a permanent reminder of the days' play.
Washable Paints
Well-known for their use in toddler and preschool art programs, finger paints are a highly washable medium. Most finger paint manufacturers have direct claims on their websites and product packaging stating that the paint is washable. For example, Crayola makes a specific product that called "Washable Finger Paint." Whether your child chooses to use a bold blue or a vibrant violet, these water-based concoctions are far from permanent on most surfaces. Likewise, brands such as Handyart and Colorations make finger paints that specifically list the paint as washable. Any finger paint that specifies in its title or branding that it is washable should directly wash out of concrete surfaces with very little effort.
Other Paints
Sometimes your child may not use traditional finger paints for an art project. From home recipes to edible ingredients, there are numerous different methods for mixing your own versions of finger paint. For example, some parents and early childhood educators make their own finger paints using cornstarch, sugar, salt, water and food coloring. Although this type of finger paint is washable, the food coloring ingredient may make it slightly more difficult than store-bought brands to remove from a concrete surface. Despite this, using the proper cleaning techniques will remove the paint from most surfaces. Edible paints made from foods such as pudding or peanut butter are easily washable and pose no problem on concrete surfaces.
Stain Removal
One of the easiest methods of cleaning finger paint off of your concrete surface is to pressure wash with water. Since this technique relies on fresh water instead of chemical agents, it is a top rate option for families who want to minimize the use of toxic ingredients around the house. If this method does not work, paint manufacturers such as Crayola suggest specific tips for stain removal from outdoor surfaces. For example, clean a finger paint stain on your concrete or asphalt drive with liquid dish soap, a stiff bristled brush and pure water from a hose. After scrubbing and rinsing, the stain should disappear.
Safety
Luckily, most finger paints are water-based mediums that clean easily. Although pure water is the safest way to go, some families may want, or need, to use other cleaning agents. Given that children are the primary users of finger paints, it is imperative to choose non-toxic cleaning products. It may be tempting trade safety for convenience and use a harsh chemical product to quickly get the stain off of your concrete. Using plain water or, if necessary, a mild dish soap is a safe alternative that will keep your concrete neat and paint free.
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