Brooke Martin
Getting wax out of your clothes can be a tricky task, but it's not impossible. The first step is to let the wax harden, either naturally or by placing ice cubes on it. Once the wax is solid, gently scrape off as much as you can with a dull knife, spoon, or spatula. Be careful not to damage the fabric. Next, use a hair dryer or iron on low heat to melt the remaining wax, placing a paper towel or clean cloth underneath to absorb it. Repeat this process until no more wax is being absorbed. Finally, pretreat the stain with detergent or stain remover and wash the garment according to the care label instructions. If the stain persists, you can take it to a dry cleaner for professional removal.
Characteristics of removing candle wax from clothes
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speed | The sooner you act, the better. However, contrary to most stains, dried wax is easier to remove. |
| Temperature | Use cold to harden the wax and make it easier to scrape off. Then, use heat to melt the remaining wax so that it can be absorbed by a cloth or paper towel. |
| Scraping tools | Ice cubes in a plastic bag, a butter knife, a spoon, a wooden spatula, a dull knife, a plastic credit card, the edge of a spoon, or a plastic scraper. |
| Absorbent materials | Paper towels, cotton cloths, or a brown paper bag. |
| Cleaning products | Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid, a small amount of oxygen bleach, or a solution of Washing (sal) Soda or detergent and water. |
| Washing | Machine wash with regular detergent and a stain remover on a setting suitable for the fabric. |
| Professional services | Consult a dry cleaner if you are concerned about properly cleaning your wax stain or if your methods haven't removed a stubborn stain. |
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What You'll Learn
Scrape off excess wax
Scraping off excess wax is the first step in removing candle wax from clothes. It is important to act quickly to stop the spread and keep the wax from setting into the fabric. However, it is equally important to let the wax dry before attempting to remove it. Trying to remove the wax when it is still warm may cause it to spread into the fabric.
To harden the wax, you can either allow it to dry naturally or place an ice cube in a plastic bag and hold it against the wax. You can also freeze the entire clothing item. Once the wax is solid, you can gently scrape off as much as possible with a butter knife, spoon, spatula, or the edge of a plastic card. Be careful not to scratch or damage the fabric. For delicate fabrics, use a spoon and gently skim across the surface rather than digging in. You can also use a wooden spatula to scrape off the wax.
After scraping off the excess wax, there may still be some wax residue left on the fabric. The next step is to heat and absorb this residue using an iron and paper towels, also known as the "iron and paper towel trick." Place the garment stain-side down on an absorbent material such as paper towels or a brown paper bag. Then, place another layer of paper towels on top of the stain. Using an iron on a low setting, press the paper towel to pull the remaining wax out of the fabric. Keep replacing the waxy paper towels with clean ones and repeating the process until the wax no longer transfers.
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Harden wax with ice
Removing candle wax from fabrics can be challenging, but it is possible. 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 garment's fibres. Place a bag of ice or an ice pack on top of the stain for about 10 minutes to speed up the hardening process. Do not put the ice directly on the fabric.
Once the wax is solid, gently remove the bulk of it using a dull knife, the edge of a credit card, a plastic knife, or your fingernail. Be careful not to damage or tear the fabric. If the fabric is delicate, use a spoon instead and skim it over the wax lightly.
After removing the excess wax, you can use an iron and paper towel to heat any remaining residue and transfer it to the paper towel. Place the garment, stain-side down, on a paper towel, and put another paper towel on top. Use an iron on a low setting and press the paper towel to pull the wax out of the fabric. The wax will melt and separate from the fabric, seeping into the paper towel. If the paper towel becomes saturated with wax, replace it with a new sheet.
Finally, pretreat the area with a stain remover or detergent, then wash the clothing in the hottest water possible. If the wax stain persists after washing, repeat the process until you are satisfied with the results.
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Use an iron and paper towel
To remove candle wax from clothes, you can use an iron and paper towel. This method is particularly effective for larger wax stains. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, it is important to let the wax dry completely. This can be done by leaving it to harden at room temperature or by freezing the garment. If you choose to freeze the item, place it in the freezer for around 10 minutes. Once the wax is solid, use a dull knife, spoon, or credit card to gently scrape away as much of the wax as possible. Be careful not to damage the fabric.
Next, place a paper towel under the stain, ensuring that the stained side of the fabric is facing down. Then, put another paper towel on top of the fabric, so that the stain is sandwiched between the two paper towels. You can also use a brown paper bag instead of a paper towel on top of the fabric. Make sure to avoid using printed or patterned paper towels, as the ink may transfer onto the fabric.
Now, turn on your iron to a low heat setting. Do not use the steam setting, as this will not work effectively. Gently press the iron onto the paper towel or paper bag, moving it around to avoid scorching the fabric. The heat from the iron will melt the wax, and it will be absorbed by the paper towel or bag. You may need to replace the paper towels or bags as they become saturated with wax. Continue this process until no more wax is being transferred to the paper.
Finally, pretreat the area with a stain remover or detergent, following the instructions on the product. Check the clothing's care label for specific wash instructions, especially the recommended water temperature. Soak the garment in hot water, then rinse it thoroughly before putting it in the washing machine. Repeat the process if any wax residue remains after washing.
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Wash with detergent
Removing candle wax from clothes can be challenging, but it can be done with a few simple steps. Firstly, it is important to let the wax dry and harden completely. This is because attempting to remove wax when it is still warm will push it deeper into the fabric fibres. You can speed up the hardening process by placing the item of clothing in a freezer or placing ice cubes on the wax stain. Once the wax is dry, use a dull knife, spoon, or your fingernail to gently scrape off as much wax as possible. Be careful not to damage the fabric or cause accidents by always using strokes that are away from your body.
After scraping off the excess wax, the next step is to pretreat the stain with a stain remover or detergent. Check your clothing's care label for specific wash instructions, including the water temperature. You can use a small amount of oxygen bleach in the wash load if you find any residual colour from the wax on the fabric. Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach is generally colour-safe. You can also try using a liquid detergent, such as OMO Auto Washing Liquid, especially for delicate fabrics. Work the detergent into the stained area with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush.
Next, fill a sink or basin with the hottest water that is safe for the fabric. Soak your clothing for at least one hour, then rinse the item thoroughly before putting it in the washer. When rinsing, make sure there are no excess suds before putting the garment into the washer. If the garment or table linen is labelled as dry clean only, take the garment to a dry cleaner after removing the wax.
Finally, wash the clothes as usual, either in the machine with detergent or by hand if that is more suitable. Wash on the usual cycle, at the hottest temperature that is safe for the garment. Always check the instructions on the garment's care label. If the wax stain persists after washing, repeat the previous steps before tossing the garment in the dryer, as drying will set the stain.
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Dry cleaning
If you're looking to remove candle wax from your clothes without the hassle of doing it yourself, dry cleaning is a great option. Dry cleaning can effectively remove wax stains from clothing, but it's important to note that it may not get rid of all the wax, especially if there are multiple spots.
Here's what you need to know about dry cleaning as a method for removing candle wax from clothes:
Preparing the Garment
Before taking your garment to the dry cleaners, there are a few important steps to follow. Firstly, allow the wax to harden. Fresh wax can be hardened by placing an ice cube on the stain or freezing the garment. Avoid making the common mistake of trying to remove warm wax, as this will only push it deeper into the fabric fibres. Once the wax is solid, gently scrape off as much of it as possible using a dull knife, a plastic spatula, a credit card edge, or even your fingernail. Be careful not to damage the fabric during this process.
Choosing a Dry Cleaner
Not all dry cleaners are created equal when it comes to removing wax stains. It's essential to choose a reputable dry cleaner with experience in handling such stains. Ask them about their process and the solvents they use to ensure they have the expertise and resources to effectively remove the wax.
Post-Cleaning Care
After the dry cleaning process, inspect the garment carefully. If any traces of wax remain, repeat the scraping process and return to the dry cleaner. They may need to use stronger solvents to completely remove the wax. Additionally, if the garment is labelled as "dry clean only," it's best to avoid washing it yourself and instead consult a professional cleaner for further advice.
Alternative Methods
While dry cleaning is convenient, there are also home remedies you can try to remove candle wax. One popular method involves using an iron and paper towels. Place the garment between two layers of paper towels and apply a warm iron to melt the wax, allowing it to be absorbed by the paper. Another approach is to use a hair dryer on a low setting to heat the wax and then blot it with a paper towel. These methods can be effective, but they require more time and effort than dry cleaning.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by freezing the wax with an ice cube in a plastic bag or by freezing the clothing item. Scrape off the wax with a knife, spoon, spatula, or the edge of a plastic card. Place the garment, stain-side down, on a paper towel, then put another paper towel on top. Use an iron on a low setting to press the paper towel and absorb the wax. Repeat this process with clean paper towels until the wax no longer transfers. Pretreat the stain with a stain remover or detergent, then wash the item with laundry detergent on the setting recommended for the fabric.
If the stain persists, repeat the above process until you are satisfied with the results.
Yes, you can use a hair dryer to heat the wax and blot the excess with a paper towel. You can also try using a product like isopropyl alcohol to dissolve the wax before blotting it up.
If you are worried about damaging your clothes or are dealing with a stubborn stain, consider taking the item to a professional dry cleaner.
