How to Remove Wax Stains from Clothes in Five Steps


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How often do you get accidentally get wax and its residual stain on your clothes? If you've ever had trouble removing them, then you'll want to read our guide on how to remove wax stains from clothes.

Waxy buildups on fabrics can be caused by a variety of things, such as a birthday candle, or sometimes you blow out and candle too hard and end up with wax on your clothing. The good news is that it is usually pretty easy to remove.

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Here's a step-by-step guide on how to remove wax stains from clothes. Follow these steps carefully and you should be able to remove the stain without ruining your favorite outfit.

1 – Wait until the wax has dried

The best way to remove wax stains from clothing is to wait until the wax has dried. If you try to take care of the mess now, you could make things worse.

Wax is sticky stuff, and once it gets onto fabric, it’s hard to get off without damaging the garment. You might think that rubbing alcohol would work well, but it doesn’t. Instead, use warm water and a mild soap-like dishwashing liquid. This works because the soap breaks down the wax molecules into smaller pieces that are easier to wash out.

If you don’t want to go to the trouble of soaking the item overnight, you can put it in the washing machine. 

2 – Give the stain a scrape

The next tip is to take a knife that is sharpened enough to cut into the wax, but not too sharp to risk cutting into the fabric itself. First, wait until the wax has hardened. Use a stroke going away from yourself to prevent slipping. If you slip, don’t panic — just start again. 

Once you have removed as much of the hardened material as possible, try scraping off the remaining wax. This will likely require a few attempts. Don’t worry about getting every last bit out. Just make sure you are able to see the original color underneath. Once you have scraped off as much as possible, wash the garment thoroughly.

3 – Re-melt the wax

If you find yourself with a stubborn spot of wax on a piece of furniture, follow these steps to make it go away.

1. Put a damp cloth over the spot.

2. Heat up some wax remover. You can use a hairdryer or even hot water.

3. Let the wax sit for a while, and it should start melting again. If it doesn’t, try heating it up again.

4. Once the wax starts melting, place another towel over the top and let it cool down.

5. Repeat the process until the wax has completely melted off your item.

4 – Soak it

By this stage, the wax should have been removed from the fabric. To ensure that you don't accidentally leave any residue behind, always check the item carefully before putting it into the wash. If you notice a residual wax mark, gently rub some liquid soap onto the spot and rinse off thoroughly. If the stain still persists, repeat the process again.

If the stain is particularly stubborn, apply a little diluted dishwashing liquid directly to the spot. Use a soft cloth to wipe away the excess liquid, rinse thoroughly and allow the stain to dry completely. 

5 – Wash it

Finally, give the clothing or tablecloth a wash in the normal way – either a machine washing with detergent or by hand if that’s more suitable.

And any remnants of the wax spills should now be gone! If the affected item is one of a set of items of clothing of a particularly delicate nature, you might want to contact an expert cleaner with specialized knowledge about how to remove wax stains.

More FAQs  How to Remove Candle Wax From Clothes, Carpet, and Upholstery

Candle wax is sticky stuff. If you spill it onto clothing, furniture, or even carpeting, it sticks there like glue.  So what do you do when candle wax spills on your clothes, upholstery, or carpets? You use soap and water. But keep reading because there are more ways to clean those pesky candles off your favorite pieces.

First, let's talk about the types of waxes found in candles. There are three main types: paraffin, soybean, and beeswax. Paraffin is the cheapest form of wax, but it doesn't melt easily, making it difficult to wash away. Soybean wax melts into a gooey mess. Beeswax is the most expensive, but it's also the hardest to work with. When heated, beeswax turns clear and hardens into a solid block. This makes it perfect for creating candles, but it's also very difficult to remove.

So how do you know whether you've got candle wax stuck somewhere? Look for dark spots. A lot of candle wax looks black, but some colors are common too. Red candies are often dyed with red food coloring, so look for bright pink stains.  Green candles are often tinted with green food coloring, so look closely at the edges of the candle to see if there are any brownish or reddish marks.

Once you've identified where the wax is, you'll want to start washing it away. First, pour warm water over the area to soften the wax. Then, blot the spot dry with paper towels. Once the wax is soft enough to move around, gently rub the spot with a brush or sponge. To make sure you don't accidentally spread the wax anywhere else, cover the rest of the surface with plastic wrap while rubbing or just be sure to stay in the area of the wax spot.

If you still find yourself struggling to remove the wax, try adding a little dishwashing liquid to the mixture. Dishwashing detergents contain enzymes that break down fats and oils, so they can help loosen stubborn wax stains. Just remember to test a small amount first; otherwise, you could end up ruining your favorite piece of clothing.

How to get wax out of jeans

The best way to remove wax from jeans is to soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes. Then use a brush to scrub the area where the wax spilled. If you cannot find any wax after that ...SUCCESS.  

Does a steamer remove wax from clothes?

Instead of using a dry cleaning service to get rid of the spilled candle wax, just use the Nori Press. It's got plenty of heat to re-melt the spilled candle wax and just enough pressure to blast the wax up and out of the fibers without splashing it all over the place. 

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How to get wax out of the carpet?

Wax is a sticky substance. To remove it from the carpet, use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a beater bar. The beater bar should be set at high speed. Another trick is to dampen a white towel and place it over the wax, run a hot iron over the wax several times until all of the wax is absorbed by the towel.  

How to get wax out of a white shirt

If you want to remove wax from a white shirt, soak the shirt in hot water for about 15 minutes, then rub the wax spot shirt until all the wax comes off.

How does an ice cube help to get wax out of clothes?

An ice cube helps to remove wax from clothing because when water freezes, it expands and pushes air outwards. This creates pressure which forces the wax out of the fabric.

Why is it hard to get wax out of clothes?

Wax is a natural product made from beeswax or spermaceti (a waxy substance found in whales). It is used for many purposes including making candles, polishes, cosmetics, and varnish. When you wash clothing with soap, the lather removes some of the wax, but not all of it. If you try to remove the remaining wax using water alone, it may not be enough to remove the wax.  Try adding a little soap. 

 Can a hair dryer help to get wax out of clothes?

Yes! A hairdryer may help remove stubborn wax from clothing. Just run the dryer on its highest setting for about 10 minutes. If you don't want to use a dryer, try using an iron with steam settings or a steamer.  This will melt the wax and so as. you're heating the was with the dryer dab the wax stain with a white cloth until the stain is removed.

Why is it hard to remove waxy tough stains?

Waxy tough stains are caused when wax gets on clothing. If you try to wash these stains out with soap and water, they will only come off in small patches. First, try to simply remove the hardened wax by scraping it off.  If this doesn't work then heat the stain with a hair dryer and dab the stain away with a white cloth.  If your garment can tolerate a hot iron then place a white cloth over the stain and keep pressing the cloth until the stain is absorbed into the towel.  

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