Skip to Main Content
Back to FAQs

My Crayola product has a white powder on it. What is this and is it safe?

The powdery deposit you may see on the surface of your Crayola product is called bloom. This occurs naturally and is perfectly safe.


Bloom appears on Crayola wax‑based products, such as crayons and colored pencils. It occurs when oil contained in the paraffin wax used in these products seeps to the surface and re‑crystallizes into a milky powder. You may also see this with sculptures made with Crayola Air‑Dry Clay as the product ages or is exposed to varying temperatures and humidity. Rest assured, this process is harmless, and the powdery substance and crystallization do not affect the quality or performance of the product. Remove by gently wiping away with a dry cloth.


If you have additional questions, we want to hear from you! Feel free to send us an email, call, or text us at 1‑800‑272‑9652 on weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Time. Text charges may apply.

If you have additional questions, we would love to hear from you! Feel free to call or text us at 1-800-CRAYOLA weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Time. If you would prefer to send us an email, visit our contact us page.

Related Questions

Explore answers to common questions, helpful stain removal tips, and creative ideas for making the most of our art supplies and free resources!

Can't Find What You're Looking For?

We're here to help with your creativity!

Support