To remove candle wax from fabric, let it harden (an ice cube in a plastic bag or the freezer speeds this up), scrape off what you can with a dull knife, then put paper towels above and below the spot and press with a warm, not hot, iron until no more wax melts into the paper. Treat any oily mark or color left behind, then wash as the care label says. Don't put it in the dryer until the mark is gone. The same steps work on tablecloths and carpet. With HeySunday laundry sheets, dissolve half a sheet in a little water and work it into the spot with your fingers or a soft brush. Let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, then wash in the warmest water the care label allows.
The candles on our Thanksgiving table looked beautiful right up until my nephew reached across for the rolls. By the time anyone noticed, there was a puddle of red wax on my mother-in-law's tablecloth and a few drips on the rug underneath. I wanted to scrub it immediately. Don't. Here's what actually works, from university extension stain guides, for clothes, tablecloths and carpet.
How do you get candle wax out of fabric?
The University of Illinois Extension and Iowa State University's AnswerLine give the same basic method: harden it, scrape it, then melt the rest into paper with a warm iron. Wax is easiest to remove when it's hard, and heat from the iron pulls what's left out of the fibers.
- Let it harden. Wait until the wax is cool and firm. To speed it up, hold an ice cube in a plastic bag on the spot, or put a small item in the freezer. Iowa State says frozen wax will "pop off easily."
- Scrape off the excess. Use a dull knife, the back of a spoon or an old card. Work gently so you don't snag the fabric.
- Iron it out. Place folded paper towels under and over the spot. Press with a warm, not hot, dry iron (no steam). Move to a clean section of paper each time it soaks up wax, and repeat until no more wax melts. Plain brown paper from a grocery bag works too.
- Treat what's left. Wax can leave an oily ring or a color mark. See the next section.
- Wash, then check. Wash it as the care label says. Check the spot before the dryer, since heat can set a stain that's still there.
How do you get rid of the stain candle wax leaves behind?
After the wax is gone, you may still see a darker, greasy-looking spot. That's oil from the wax, and it comes out like other grease stains. Iowa State's AnswerLine treats wax as a "combination stain": remove the waxy part first, then rinse and rub laundry detergent into the spot before washing.
With HeySunday laundry sheets, dissolve half a sheet in a little water and work it into the spot with your fingers or a soft brush. Let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, then wash in the warmest water the care label allows. Our guide to removing oil stains has more on greasy marks.
How do you get colored candle wax out of fabric?
Red, green and other colored candles can leave dye behind after the wax is gone. The University of Illinois Extension warns that some colors, especially red, can leave a dye stain that's hard or impossible to remove, so act quickly.
- Iowa State suggests blotting the spot with rubbing alcohol. Test it on a hidden spot first.
- Illinois Extension suggests a color remover or bleach, but only if it's safe for that fabric. Check the care label.
- Blot, don't rub, and use a clean part of the cloth each time.
How do you get candle wax out of a tablecloth?
Use the same steps as for clothes. A tablecloth is big, so harden the wax with a bag of ice instead of the freezer, scrape it off on the table, then iron it out over an ironing board with paper towels or brown paper above and below the spot. Treat any oily mark or dye, then wash it as the label says.
Lace, silk and other delicate linens need extra care: use the lowest iron setting that melts the wax and check the care label before using alcohol. Our guide to washing holiday table linens covers the wash itself, and the Thanksgiving stain guide covers the gravy and cranberry that usually come with the wax.
How do you get candle wax out of carpet?
Carpet takes a little more patience because you can't put it in the freezer or the washer.
- Freeze it in place. Iowa State suggests holding an ice pack on the wax for at least 10 minutes. Keep the ice in a bag so meltwater doesn't soak the carpet.
- Scrape it up. Lift the hardened wax with a dull knife or spoon and vacuum up the flakes.
- Iron out the rest. Lay paper towels, brown paper or a terry towel over the spot and press with a warm iron. Keep it moving and switch to clean paper often. Illinois Extension warns not to melt the carpet fibers, so never use a hot setting, especially on synthetic carpet.
- Treat any color. For dye left behind, Illinois Extension suggests a dry cleaning solvent, and Iowa State suggests rubbing alcohol. Test on a hidden spot first, apply a little with a clean white cloth, and blot.
- Clean and dry. Shampoo the spot to remove the solvent, let it dry, then vacuum to lift the pile.
What not to do with a candle wax stain
- Don't rub or scrub soft wax. It pushes the wax deeper into the fibers.
- Don't use a hot iron or steam. Warm is enough, and too much heat can damage fibers or spread the wax.
- Don't put the item in the dryer until the stain is completely gone.
- Don't use alcohol or solvents without a spot test, and check the care label first.
- Don't soak carpet with water or solvent. Use a little at a time and blot.
Will dish soap or detergent remove candle wax?
Not on its own. Soap can't lift hardened wax out of fabric. Remove the wax first by hardening, scraping and ironing. After that, add two dissolved detergent sheets into the spot.
What dissolves candle wax?
Gentle heat is what removes candle wax from fabric: a warm iron melts it so paper can absorb it. For the last traces, the University of Illinois Extension mentions dry cleaning solvent or rubbing alcohol, used sparingly after a spot test. Water alone won't dissolve it, which is why freezing and scraping come first.
Decorating for the holidays? See how to clean a Christmas tree skirt and Christmas stockings before they go up.
HeySunday Laundry Detergent Sheets
Pre-measured laundry sheets. Dissolve half a sheet in a little water to pre-treat the mark wax leaves behind, then wash as usual.
Candle wax FAQs
What is the easiest way to remove candle wax from fabric?
Harden it with ice or the freezer, scrape off the excess with a dull knife, then press between paper towels with a warm iron until no more wax melts into the paper. Then wash as the care label says.
Does freezing candle wax help?
Yes. Frozen wax is brittle, so it pops off fabric more easily. Freeze small items, or hold an ice cube in a plastic bag on larger ones like tablecloths and carpet.
Can you use an iron to remove candle wax?
Yes, on a warm, not hot, setting with no steam. Put paper towels or brown paper above and below the spot so the melted wax soaks into the paper, and keep switching to a clean section.
How do you get candle wax out of carpet?
Hold an ice pack on the wax for at least 10 minutes, scrape and vacuum the flakes, then press a warm iron over paper towels to lift the rest. Blot any color with rubbing alcohol after a spot test, then shampoo, dry and vacuum.
How do you get colored candle wax out of a tablecloth?
Remove the wax first, then blot the color with rubbing alcohol after testing a hidden spot, or use a color remover if the care label allows it. Red wax can leave a dye stain that's hard to remove, so treat it quickly.
Does vinegar remove candle wax?
The university extension guides we used don't use vinegar for wax. Their method is to harden, scrape and lift the wax with a warm iron and paper, then treat what's left.
Will candle wax come out in the wash?
Not by itself. Washing won't lift hardened wax and can spread it. Remove the wax first, treat the spot, then wash, and check it before drying.
Can you put clothes with candle wax in the dryer?
No. Dryer heat can melt the wax into other clothes and set the stain. Air dry until you're sure the mark is gone.
Sources
- University of Illinois Extension, Stain Solutions: candle wax
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, AnswerLine: Common Holiday Stain Removal Guide
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, AnswerLine: Holiday Stains
