When candle wax falls onto your favorite top, skirt, t-shirt, or any other dress, you might get anxious. In such a situation, the first question that comes to your mind is “how to remove candle wax from fabrics?”
Before knowing how to remove candle wax from fabrics, let’s know about candles and candle wax. Candles were made in China with beeswax as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), and Coccos Pella insect wax was developed by the 12th century. Early Japan made candle wax from tree nut extracts, whereas in India they cooked cinnamon tree fruit to make candle wax.
In the Middle Ages, beeswax was imported to Europe, but due to its high cost, people rarely used it. Over the years, the creation of new candle waxes has been influenced by a variety of factors, including the availability of the raw material, the simplicity and affordability of turning the material into a candle-safe wax, and the wax’s desirability in relation to other candle waxes currently on the market.
Before the creation of spermaceti wax, a clean-burning, low-odor wax made from the sperm whale’s head oil, which was pushed by the whaling business, tallow was the usual everyday candle wax used in Europe and the Americas.
Spermaceti was still the most popular candle wax up to the middle of the 19th century, when people created paraffin wax and stearin wax. In the late 1990s, two vegetable-based candle waxes—soy wax and palm wax—were created for industrial use in the candle market. Candles today also use soy wax, palm wax, gels, and synthetic wax.
Scientists use the term “wax” as a general classification for substances that fit the following criteria:
- Water-repellent and water-insoluble
- The texture is smooth and buffable with light pressure
- Low reactivity and toxicity
- minimal odor
- At normal temperatures, a solid; at higher temperatures, a liquid primarily made of hydrocarbons
Throughout the world, people use wax for a variety of purposes, including packaging, coatings, cosmetics, food, adhesives, inks, castings, crayons, chewing gum, polishes, and of course candles.
Alright, so now we will share how to remove candle wax from fabrics in the easiest steps.
Before You Start
If the clothing item or tablecloth is marked “dry clean only,” let the wax dry before removing it with care and a dull edge. Determine the stain, then take the item to a dry cleaner as soon as possible. Use the stain remover that comes with the kit if you decide to use a home dry-cleaning kit to treat the stain before placing the item in the dryer bag.
Be careful of any wax spills. When someone blows out a candle, melted wax may also spill across clothes and tablecloths. When blowing out a candle, always use a candle snuffer or hold the flame with your hand.
How to Remove Candle Wax from Fabrics
Harden the Wax
Put an ice cube on the stain after a drip or splatter to freeze the wax if it hasn’t already been set. Don’t place the ice right on the fabric. You shouldn’t try to remove heated wax because if you do so, you’ll probably only push it deeper into the fabric’s strands.
Remove the Wax
Use a dull kitchen knife, the edge of a credit card, or the tip of your fingernail to gently lift the wax off the fabric once it has hardened. You should still take care of the area even if you have removed the wax from the surface. Other than natural beeswax, petroleum compounds are used to make most wax, and some oil or pigment from colored candles may still stay on the fabric.
Treat the Stain
Start by using an enzyme-based stain remover to treat the oily, waxy portion of the stain. If you don’t have a stain remover, dab some strong liquid detergent, such as Persil or Tide, or make a paste of powdered detergent and water, and apply it to the spot. Apply the cleaner to the stain using your fingers or a soft-bristled brush.
You should thoroughly rinse the stained area with hot water after the cleaner has worked for at least 15 minutes.
Wash the Garment
If there is no mark of the wax on the fabric, wash it in the hottest water recommended and according to the care directions.
Check the Stained Area
Check the garment for stains before drying it. Drying a stained garment on high heat can permanently set the stain.
Treat Any Dye Stain
You must clean the fabric if there is any dye stain. Following the instructions on the package, mix oxygen bleach (such as OxiClean, Nellie’s All Natural Oxygen Brightener, and OXO Brite) with cold water. Submerge the entire garment or tablecloth. Soak it for several hours or overnight, and then wash it as directed.
How to Remove Candle Wax From Carpet and Upholstery
For removing candle wax from upholstery, apply the same methods as the carpet. Before doing anything, consult an expert if the cloth is silk or vintage. Use a little rubbing alcohol and a white paper towel to blot any colorful stains that the candle’s dye may have left on the carpet.
Harden the Wax
If candle wax spills on the carpet, clean it up as soon as possible. Never try to rub or wipe away hot wax. Place some ice cubes in a plastic bag and place them over the wax stain as an alternative. Wait until the wax gets fully hard before removing the ice.
Remove the Visible Wax
To remove the hardened wax, use the edge of a credit card or a dull knife. To remove the loose wax, use a vacuum attachment or a hand vacuum. Gently scrape to remove any remaining wax.
Remove Residual Wax
Put several layers of white paper towels over the stain to absorb any remaining wax. To press over the area, use a warm iron (not hot, since that could melt the carpet fibers). The paper towel will absorb the oily stain when the wax in the fibers softens. As soon as no more wax will transfer, go to a clean section of the paper towels.
Treat Remaining Dye Stains
A few drops of rubbing alcohol on a white paper towel will remove a colored stain.
It is also possible to remove dye stains from white carpets. You can do it with hydrogen peroxide. But, you should avoid using this on dark carpets. because it may bleach the fibers. Hopefully, now you have learned how to remove candle wax from fabrics. And we hope that this content was also helpful for all the people out there who wanted to know how to remove candle wax from fabrics. However, if you are still looking for a company that will provide this service to you, Beautiful Connection Group will be your best choice. This is one of the best clothing manufacturing companies in the USA. They make all types of customized women’s clothing. Additionally, they remove candle wax from fabric as well. For any further information, you can check out their website.