Chloe Adams
Whether it's a birthday party or a dinner party, candles can make any occasion more special. However, dripping wax can transform clean clothing into a waxy mess. But there's no need to panic, as these stains can usually be removed with the right technique. The first step is to wait for the wax to harden, and then carefully scrape off the bulk of it. Next, you'll want to use an iron on a low setting and paper towels to heat and absorb the remaining wax. Finally, treat the stain with a detergent or stain remover before washing the item as usual.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Let the wax drippings dry and harden |
| Step 2 | Scrape off excess wax using a knife, spoon, fingernail, or credit card |
| Step 3 | Use an iron on low heat with paper towels or blotting paper to absorb the remaining wax |
| Step 4 | Treat residual oils or dyes with an enzyme-based stain remover, detergent, or white vinegar solution |
| Step 5 | Wash the garment as usual with detergent, or use a washing machine cycle with stain-removing detergent |
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What You'll Learn
Let the wax dry and harden
When candle wax drips onto clothing, it's best to let the wax harden before attempting to remove it. Trying to remove hot wax will push it deeper into the fabric fibres and spread the stain. It can also burn your skin. So, before you do anything, let the wax dry and harden.
Once the wax is solid, you can remove the bulk of it. Use a butter knife or spoon to scrape off as much wax as possible. Be sure to use strokes that are away from your body when using a knife to avoid accidents. For anything that's quite fragile, such as silk, use a spoon and gently skim across the surface rather than digging in.
If you don't have much wax to remove, you can freeze the clothing item to harden the wax. Place your garment, stain-side down, on a paper towel. Put another paper towel on top. Then, using an iron on a low setting, press the paper towel to pull the wax out of the fabric. Replace the waxy paper towels with a clean batch, and repeat the process until the wax no longer transfers.
If you don't have an iron, try a blow dryer on a low setting or hang the clothing near a heater to reheat the wax. Be sure not to leave the garment unattended during this process to avoid damage or fire concerns.
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Scrape off excess wax
Removing candle wax from clothes can be challenging, but it's important to act quickly to stop the spread and keep the wax from setting into the fabric. Before attempting any stain removal method, always check the clothing care label for specific wash instructions, including water temperature.
The first step is to do nothing—let the wax harden. Attempting to remove a wax stain before it has dried can spread the stain and push it deeper into the fabric. Fresh wax can be hardened with ice to make it easier to scrape away. Once the wax is dry and solid, use a butter knife or spoon to carefully scrape off the excess wax. Be gentle and avoid digging into the fabric, especially with delicate materials. For fragile fabrics like silk, use a spoon and gently skim the surface. Always scrape away from your body to avoid accidents.
If you're concerned about damaging delicate fabric, you can freeze the garment and snap off the frozen wax. Another option is to use a hairdryer on a low setting or hang the clothing near a heater to melt the wax, then blot the excess with a white paper towel.
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Use heat to soften wax
Before attempting to remove candle wax from your clothes, it is important to let the wax harden. Trying to remove hot wax will only push it deeper into the fabric fibres. Once the wax has dried, you can carefully scrape away the top layers, leaving just the wax that has sunk into the fabric itself.
To remove the remaining wax, you can use heat to soften it. Place a washcloth, towel, or paper towels under and over the wax stain. Then, use an iron on a low to medium setting to heat the wax and encourage it to soak into the paper towels. If you don't have an iron, you can try using a blow dryer on a low setting or hanging the clothing near a heater.
Be cautious when using an iron to remove wax from clothing. It is important to use a low to medium setting and avoid using steam. Do not leave the garment unattended during this process to avoid damage or fire concerns.
If you are using paper towels, you may need to replace them with a clean batch once they become saturated with wax. Continue this process until the wax no longer transfers to the paper towels.
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Treat residual stains
It is important to check the laundry product and garment care labels first to make certain your method is suitable for your fabric.
- Use an enzyme-based stain remover or a bit of heavy-duty liquid detergent, such as Tide or Persil, or a paste made of powdered detergent and water.
- A small amount of liquid detergent can be applied directly to the spot. Always test the impact on an unnoticeable spot before applying it to a larger area.
- White vinegar may be able to dissolve the oils and grease left by candle wax. Mix equal amounts of water and distilled white vinegar and dab it with a clean cloth on the stain that may have been left by the wax.
- Use a cotton swab doused with acetone or rubbing alcohol to try to break down candle wax on fabrics.
- If there's a coloured stain on the carpet from the dye in the candle, use a bit of rubbing alcohol on a white paper towel to blot the stain.
- If you find any residual colour from the wax on the fabric, consider using a small amount of oxygen bleach in the wash load. Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach is generally colour-safe.
- If the wax is coloured, create a solution of water and an oxygen-based stain remover in a basin and soak the stain in it for a few hours.
- If you’re concerned about properly cleaning your wax stain or your methods haven’t removed a stubborn stain, check with your local dry cleaner.
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Machine wash
Removing candle wax from clothes can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Here is a detailed guide on how to remove candle drips from clothes using a machine wash:
Step 1: Let the wax harden
Before you start removing the wax, it is important to let it harden. This may seem counterintuitive, but attempting to remove the wax before it has dried can worsen the problem by spreading the stain and possibly burning your skin. Therefore, the first step is to simply wait until the wax has solidified.
Step 2: Scrape off the excess wax
Once the wax has hardened, use a tool like a butter knife or a spoon to gently scrape off as much of the excess wax as possible. Be careful not to use a knife that is too sharp to avoid damaging the fabric. You can also freeze the garment to harden the wax and then snap off the frozen wax.
Step 3: Heat and absorb the remaining wax
Place a paper towel or a brown paper bag under the clothing item, with the wax stain facing down. Then, cover the stain with another paper towel. Using an iron on a low, non-steam setting, press or rub the iron over the paper towel to heat the wax and transfer it to the paper towel. Repeat this process with clean paper towels until no more wax is being absorbed.
Step 4: Pre-treat the stain
Apply a stain treatment or detergent directly to any remaining stains. You can use products like Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid, Clorox 2™ for Colors Stain Remover and Laundry Additive, or a similar alternative. Gently rub the product into the stain and wait for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Step 5: Machine wash
Now it's time to machine wash the garment. Check the care label for specific instructions, including the hottest water temperature safe for the fabric. Select a heavy soil setting and use your regular laundry detergent. If desired, you can add a washer pretreatment or a small amount of oxygen bleach to boost the cleaning power.
Step 6: Check and repeat if necessary
After the wash cycle is complete, check the garment to ensure the stain is completely gone before drying. If any of the stain remains, repeat the pre-treatment and washing steps.
Remember to always check the care label of your clothing item before starting any stain removal process to ensure you are using a suitable method for the fabric type.
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Frequently asked questions
Removing candle wax drips from clothes is a simple process. First, let the wax dry and harden. Then, use a dull knife, spoon, or spatula to gently scrape away the wax. If there is any wax remaining, use an iron on low heat and a paper towel to absorb the wax. Finally, pretreat the stain with a stain remover or detergent and wash the clothing item as usual.
Always check the clothing's care label for specific wash instructions. In general, it is recommended to use the water temperature that is safest for the fabric. This could be hot water, or it might be cold water if the fabric is delicate.
No, it is recommended to use a detergent or washing soda rather than soap when removing wax stains from clothing. Soap may not effectively remove the wax and could even set the stain further into the fabric.
For delicate fabrics like silk, it is best to use a gentle scraping implement such as a spoon to carefully skim the surface of the wax rather than digging into the fabric. You can then use the iron and paper towel method to absorb any remaining wax, being careful to use a low heat setting on the iron.
If the wax stain persists after washing, you can repeat the pretreatment and washing process until the stain is removed. Alternatively, you can take the item to a professional dry cleaner, who will have the necessary solvents to remove the wax stain.
