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Easy At-Home Methods of Removing Wax Stains From Fabric and Wood

Few stains are as persistent and annoying as wax stains, but that’s not a reason to say no to the sweet ambiance of candles at all. With these handy cleaning methods, you’ll forget wax stains were ever a problem, to begin with, be it persistent stains on your furniture, hardwood floor, carpeting or your favorite clothes!
wax stains molten candles

1. How to Get Wax Out of Fabric or Carpet

Got a wax stain on your shirt? Knocked off a candle and the molten wax spilled all over the carpet? This may seem like a tragedy, but stay calm don’t and don’t worry, cleaning it up completely is possible, as long as you follow this step by step instruction:
Step 1. Blot the Stained Area using a Paper Towel
If the stain is still fresh, gently blot the wet wax with a paper towel, this will ensure you have less wax to clean off. But be gentle and don’t rub, otherwise, you’ll push the wax further down into the carpet/fabric fibers, which will make it even more difficult to clean.
wax stains How to Get Wax Out of Fabric or Carpet

Step 2. Cool the Stain with a Few Ice Cubes

If you’re dealing with an old stain, skip this step. Toss a few ice cubes into a plastic bag and put the bag on the stain so that the ice covers it completely. Let the remaining wax solidify completely (at least 5-10 minutes). 

Step 3. Scrape off the Solidified Wax

First, find a plastic knife or a butter knife in the kitchen. This will be the first tool we’ll use to gently scrape off the remaining solidified wax out of the carpet/fabric. Once you’re finished with that, vacuum the wax shavings out using the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Be gentle, and if you’re using a delicate fabric, skip the vacuum part and simply shake out the wax you previously scraped down.

Step 4. Apply Heat to the Stain

At this point, the majority of the stain should be out, but there might still be little bits of wax here and there. To completely remove these, you’ll need a clean piece of cloth and your iron. First, place the cloth on the stain, and then start slowly moving the iron over the stain.

Use the low-heat no-steam setting on your iron, and we recommend to patch-test this method on an inconspicuous area first to make sure the fabric won’t be affected. After moving the iron around for a few seconds, lift it and look for a wet-looking waxy stain on the cloth. Check if the entirety of the wax was removed. If not, replace the cloth and repeat as needed.

More Carpet Cleaning Wisdom: The A-Z of Carpet Cleaning

Note: Dealing with Colored Wax on Fabrics

wax stains carpet cleaner recipe
Colored wax can sometimes leave a stain even after the wax was completely removed. This is because the pigment manufacturers used to color the wax separates from the wax while cleaning. Luckily, this too can be fixed using any spot cleaner of your choice that fits the fabric you’re working on.
Again, we recommend patch-testing before applying the cleaner to the entire area to prevent discoloration/bleaching. Don’t have a carpet spot cleaner at home? No worries, we have an effective DIY spot cleaner recipe that works for a variety of stains in the image above.

2. How to Get Rid of Wax Stains on Wood

I myself am no stranger to annoying wax drips on wooden furniture, as I love to light a candle on the weekend for an extra cozy atmosphere and you know how it goes, accidents are bound to happen sooner or later. So, if you need that unsightly stain on your hardwood floor or your coffee table out of your life, try these methods:
wax stains How to Get Rid of Wax Stains on Wood

Method 1. Heat It Up

Who said hairdryers are only for drying hair? In fact, a hairdryer is an excellent wax stain remover, as it can melt the stain off your wooden surface in no time. Start off on low heat and at least 6 inches (15 cm) away from the stain. Move the hairdryer around not to overheat the surface and gently wipe the wax off with a paper towel. 

If the wax isn’t melting, simply turn up the heat and try again. This trick works for most flooring types and furniture, just remember to be careful not to overheat the surface.

Looking for More Cleaning Tips? Here Are 25 Efficient Cleaning Hacks

Method 2. Liquid Cleaning

If you tried the previous method, but some oily residue or a thin layer of wax still remains, try this. Combine equal parts water and vinegar, apply the solution to a lint-free cloth and wipe off the stain. Repeat if needed.

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