Candles are used for various reasons. Whether it is a birthday party, a romantic moment, or its practical use in a power outage, candles are used to light up the place, literally and figuratively. However, as much fun as they are, they can also be messy.
Candle wax that gets on your clothes, carpet, or upholstery can have you picking and scratching at the fabric in vain. In fact, this is unlikely to get rid of it completely. When working with wax, it is best to work quickly but not immediately. If you try to remove it while it is still liquid, you will only spread it and aggravate the problem. However, don’t let it sit on your clothes for weeks; but let the wax dry. It becomes easier to remove once it hardens.
Also, before trying any of the methods, check your fabrics’ care labels for specific requirements. For example, if it supports hot or cold water, as well as dry cleaning. If it is only dry clean, use the first two methods before shipping it to the dry cleaners. This prevents further damage to your clothes.
Candle wax is difficult to remove, but it is not impossible. In this article, you will find quick and easy steps to get that wax out of your clothes in no time!
Table of Contents
Candles and Their Use
Candles have been around for about 5000 years. Dating back to the ancient Egyptians, who started with rushlights made by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat. The credit, however, was given to the ancient Romans who made the type we know today with wicks. They used it for nighttime travel and religious ceremonies.
Candles are now made in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s even possible to get a customized candle just for you. Scents are also now added to candles, so they not only provide light but also make your rooms smell nice. Candles, these days, are less of a need, like in the past, but more of an accessory to the home.
Equipment And Materials Used to Remove Wax from Clothes
Removing wax from clothes effectively can only be done with specific equipment. These equipment and materials are listed below:
Equipment Used
- A dullknife, plastic spatula, or credit card
- Soft-bristledbrush (optional)
- Iron
- Freezer
Materials Used
- Baking soda
- Enzyme-basedstain remover
- Heavy-dutyliquid detergent
- Ice cubes
- Hot water
- Paper towels or blotting paper
- Oxygen bleach
- Wart removal spray (optional)
- Carpet cleaner (optional)
How To Remove Wax From Your Clothes
Here is a step-by-step guide on removing wax from clothes totally.
Step1: Let It Dry
To reiterate, the first thing you should do if the wax gets on your clothes is to let them dry. Go against your natural instinct to run to the sink to remove the stain. Wax is different. Let it harden up first. You can hasten this process by placing ice cubes on your garment or simply placing it in the freezer.
The freezer method is more effective and smoother. Leave the cloth in there for about an hour. Around this time, the wax would have become brittle.
Then, in some cases, the wax would just snap off in one piece, and you will not have to follow the rest of the steps. If you are not comfortable freezing your clothes, you can use a wart removal spray to freeze them safely.
Step 2: Scrape Off the Excesses
When the wax has hardened, scrape off the excess with a plastic spatula, dull knife, credit card edge, spoon, or even your fingernails. Use a spoon to gently pry off the wax from delicate clothing, such as silk. You do not want to ruin your clothing while trying to fix it.
This step is important because working with a clump of wax will only waste your time. Get rid of the heavy load so you can work with the wax that makes direct contact with your fiber.
Step 3: Heat It Up
For each of these methods, it is necessary to remember to scrape the excesses first before delving into the rest of the process. Refer to step (2) to know how.
These methods appear to be contradictory because it was previously stated that the wax should be hardened. However, this was done to remove the surface bits. Now you need to reheat the wax to get it out of the fiber.
● Use An Iron
You’ll need paper towels or blotting paper for this. Blotting paper is preferable for materials such as wool, fleece, or velvet because paper towels can stick to the fiber during the process. Place one underneath the cloth and two more over the wax stain.
This aim is to heat the wax and encourage it to leave your cloth and transfer onto something else, hence the blotting paper. Set your iron to medium or low heat and go over the blotting paper placed on the wax stain. Change the paper as the wax melts and transfers to it to get more out. Do not rotate the paper because the wax may smear elsewhere.
This method works well on large wax stains. It may not be ideal for small droplets of wax. You should also be careful not to burn your fabric during this procedure.
● Blow Dry the Fabric
This is another excellent heating method for those who don’t have irons or when irons are unavailable. Hair dryers also give off enough heat to melt the wax. These two methods are similar but not the same.
Place paper towels over and beneath the fabric. Take the hairdryer and use it on the wax stain spot for about five seconds. Then, using paper towels, blot away the melted wax. Continue changing towels and repeating until all of the wax has been removed. This is much better for clothes that are too delicate to iron, such as silk.
● Use Baking Soda And Boiling Water
Boil water in a large pot. But the secret ingredient is baking soda. Baking soda is everyone’s favorite household item. It reflects its charm once again in getting rid of wax efficiently.
Take a large pot and boil water in it. Then, add 6 teaspoons of baking soda to the water. Place your affected cloth into the water with a spoon, stick, or rod–just don’t use your hand. Then wait for about a minute and watch the wax soften and fall into the water. You can take it out to check it at intervals. If it isn’t completely gone, repeat the process.
Ensure you check your fabric’s care label before trying this method. Do not use this method on wool or fleece materials. Try the hot iron method for them instead. Keep in mind that soaking colored clothes in boiling water for an extended period of time can cause the dye to fade.
Step 4: Stain Removal Treatment
The wax will likely leave an oily, waxy stain when it falls off. It is critical that you treat the stain before washing. Most colored candles contain oils or dyes that can remain on your clothing after removing the wax. Treat the stain with an enzyme-based stain remover or heavy-duty liquid detergent.
You can even make a paste by combining powdered detergent and water. Work it in with your finger or a soft-bristled brush and set aside for 15 minutes. Rinse and wash with the temperature of water recommended on the care label. Ensure the stain is gone before drying. Otherwise, the heat may set the stain.
Step 5: Treat Dye Stains
This step is only necessary if there has been a dye transfer from the wax to your clothes, that is if it’s a colored candle that was used. If your clothes are colored, mix oxygen bleach with cool water and use it according to the bleach package’s instructions. If they are white, use regular water.
Place your cloth in the solution and soak it for several hours, preferably overnight. If you want to machine wash instead, this could be done with your washing machine. Go over to the next step.
Step 6: Wash the Clothes
Give your cloth a good wash, whether by machine or by hand. If you are using a machine, set it to a heavy soil setting for better results. The temperature of the water used is determined by the fabric’s care label. Use good detergent, preferably natural liquid detergent. This will ensure that all of the wax has been removed.
The oxygen bleach can be added to the wash before the cycle to remove any dye that has been transferred to it. After you’ve finished washing, inspect your cloth to ensure there are no stains. This is because once the clothes have been dried by the dryer, the stains left will be nearly impossible to get out then.
Step 7: Line Dry Your Clothes
If you are unsure about stains and do not want the possibility of them set with a dryer, line dry. However, keep it in the shade and out of direct sunlight. This is because if the cloth is colored, the sun can bleach or strip the dye from it.
When the dyed cloth has dried, thoroughly inspect it for stains. If there is, wash the cloth again. At least in this way, regardless of the number of times you dry it, the stain can always come off in another wash.
Alternative Method To Remove Wax
If going through all these processes already looks daunting, there is an alternative that anyone can do anytime.
Use Vegetable Oil
This is usually used for small drops of wax. Vegetable oil or carpet cleaner works well. Apply a little oil on the wax after scraping off the excesses. Rub on the stain until the wax starts to come out. For the carpet cleaner, pour some on the spot, then use the toothbrush to scrub the area gently. It comes off easy, then wash as usual.
Using gasoline or paint thinner is not recommended to get the wax off because they can be too harsh on your fabrics.
How to Remove Candle Wax from Carpets and Couches
This is similar to how it is done with clothes. However, take note of the material. If it is silk or vintage, ensure you head straight to a professional, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Also, rubbing alcohol can be used on your carpet to get rid of the wax.
So the procedure is simple. First and foremost, the wax must be hardened. Put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and place them over the affected area. Scrape off the excess with a blunt or dull knife once it has hardened. Then remove any wax that falls loose from your scraping tidy as you go with a hand vacuum.
Then, use the iron method in step (3), no paper towels are required; simply ensure that the iron is warm. Treat any dye stains with rubbing alcohol. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to remove the wax from carpets. So long as the carpet is pure white and not dark colored carpets to avoid bleaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Vinegar Get Wax Out?
Vinegar is a common household ingredient that comes in handy many times. However, it will have no effect on wax.
Can I Use Rubbing Alcohol to Remove the Wax from My Fabric?
Rubbing alcohol is used to get a variety of stains out from clothes, but not wax. This may bleach your clothes instead or cause discoloration.
How Do I Remove Wax from Jeans?
Use the hot iron technique. Ensure you scrape off the excesses with a blunt knife first.
Final Words
Candle wax is a pain to get out of your fresh and colorful fabrics, especially materials like wool. As they’re popular now, it’s more likely to get on your clothes.
To prevent any of it from happening, be careful when putting off your candles. Place your hand behind the flame when blowing out candles to avoid splattering the wax on nearby surfaces, including yourself.
Regardless, if you are in a fix, don’t fret. These steps listed above will get you out without a doubt. If the instructions are followed correctly, you can say goodbye to your worries about wax and enjoy that romantic evening carefreely!
