Candles are perfect for everything, from a cozy dinner party with friends and family to a chilled night in by yourself. This, however, is until candle wax spills and ruins the party. So, if you're looking for how to remove candle wax from surfaces, this article is for you.
Removing candle wax drips can be challenging, depending on the surface the wax has spilled on. Some surfaces, such as clothes, fabric furniture and carpets, require heat to remove wax, while others like wood need cold to remove the wax stains.
Ideally, you need to wait for the wax to dry before starting the removal process. This is because hot wax risks a burn hazard. In addition, rubbing hot candle wax spreads the wax deeper in the fabric fibers making it hard to remove, as well as they might be toxic.
Source: are bath and body works candles toxic
This guide will show you simple steps to remove wax stains from different surfaces. Let's get started.
How To Remove Candle Wax From Clothes
Candle wax stains on clothing and fabrics are frustrating. As much as you try to remove the excess wax with a knife, some of it is still left in between the fibers. The heat method below will help you remove candle wax and its residues from clothes and other fabrics, say a tablecloth.
What you'll need:
- Iron
- Butter knife
- Paper bag
Steps:
- Use a thin butter knife to remove large candle wax globs. Be gentle to avoid pulling the fabric fibers.
- Place the cloth between two plain paper bags to remove any stains left. You can use paper towels instead of paper bags.
- Use a clothes iron or hair dryer to melt the wax at medium heat. Place the iron on the paper bags until the melted wax transfers. Repeat until all wax is absorbed and you're left with an oily residue.
- Reach for an oil dissolving solvent like isopropyl alcohol(rubbing alcohol) or acetone to clean the oil stain.
- Wash the cloth as you normally would, either in the washing machine or by hand.
This heating method removes candle wax on different fabrics like silk, denim, cotton and wool. However, keep the iron moving rather than placing it in one area for too long.
You can also use this method to remove candle wax from painted walls.
How To Remove Candle Wax From Carpet
Unfortunately, accidental wax drips on your carpet can make you feel like your world is ending. Calm down. While the process of removing wax from your carpet is different from clothes, you'll only need to reach for items in your household.
What you'll need:
- Damp cloth
- Ice cubes
- Butter knife
- Paper towels
- Blow dryer or Iron
Steps:
- Pour ice cubes in a ziplock bag or a plastic bag. Place the bag with the ice cube over the wax to freeze it.
- Wait for the candle wax to cool.
- Use a butter knife to lift excess wax from the carpet. This helps separate hardened wax from the carpet fibers.
- Place a paper towel on the carpet. Turn the blow dryer to high heat and move it back and forth on the towel. As the wax softens and melts, the paper towels will absorb it.
- Use the damp cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove any color stains left on the carpet.
You'll need to keep in mind that some carpet fibers, like olefin, are heat sensitive. For this reason, you may need to apply medium heat to avoid damaging the carpet fibers.
How To Remove Candle Wax From Leather
Leather furniture is not safe from wax drips. However, restoring leather to its prime state only takes a few simple steps.
What you'll need:
- Blow dryer
- Warm water
- Soft cloth
- Mild detergent
Steps:
- Move the blow dryer across the wax stain while holding it at a higher level.
- Wipe the melted wax with a soft cloth dipped in warm water and mild detergent solution.
- Repeat until no stains are left.
You can use this method to clean wax drips from sinks, bathtubs and other bathroom fixtures.
How To Remove Candle Wax From Wood
Removing wax dripped on wood calls for a different method than that used on clothes and carpet fibers. This is because wood is porous, so heat only deepens or sinks the wax further. Instead, you'll need to use ice to remove candle wax from wood on furniture or hardwood floors.
What you'll need:
- Ice cube
- Butter knife
- Vinegar
- Paper towel
Steps:
- Apply ice cube on the wax to harden it. Apply the ice cubes while taking breaks to wipe the wood with a paper towel. This prevents the wood surface from getting wet.
- Gently scrape off the hardened wax using a blunt knife, credit card, spoon, plastic ruler or spatula. You should be careful to avoid scratching the wood as you remove the wax.
- Repeat until you have removed all the wax.
- Dip a clean cloth in a one-part vinegar and two parts water solution. Dab the moist, soft cloth on the wood to prevent staining light-colored wood. You can also apply furniture wax or cream floor to remove the remaining waxy residue.
A different method is to use a hair dryer to melt the remaining wax after scraping, then use a clean cloth to wipe the wax. However, it's advisable to hold the hair dryer at a higher distance from the wood.
How To Remove Candle Wax From Metal
Candle wax easily drips on metallic candlesticks. Fortunately, it's relatively easy to remove the wax and restore the candlestick to its original pristine state.
What you'll need:
- Warm water
- Soft cloth
Steps:
- Boil water in a pot big enough to hold the candle holder.
- Turn off the heat, then submerge the candlestick into the pot. The candle wax will slide off the candlestick as the boiling water gradually cools.
- Remove the candlestick when the water reaches room temperature.
- Use the soft cloth to wipe off residual wax.
You can apply this method to remove candle wax from thick glass items.
How To Remove Candle Wax From Vinyl Flooring
Although vinyl flooring is highly durable, it is also prone to wax drips from lit candles. In addition, vinyl is likely to discolor; hence not advisable to use heat to remove a wax stain.
What you'll need:
- Ice cubes
- Blunt knife
- Mineral spirits
Steps:
- Place an ice pack on the vinyl to harden it.
- Use a blunt knife or plastic spatula to scrape off the wax.
- Use mineral spirits and a cotton ball to clean any discoloration left.
Featured Image: doityourself.com
