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University of Illinois Extension
Candle wax

Candle wax

Treat stains as soon as possible after staining. The older the stain, the more difficult it will be to remove.

All stain removal methods should be applied prior to laundering washable garments. Stains that have been laundered and dried are almost impossible to remove.

Washable Fabrics

Steps to Clean

Chemical solvents and supplies

  • Ice cube
  • Iron
  • Bleach
  1. Rub with ice and scrape off excess with a dull knife.
  2. Place folded paper towels over and under stained area and press with a warm – not hot – dry iron.
  3. Use clean towels, repeat until no more wax melts.
  4. Remove color with bleach or color remover as safe for fabric.

Carpet

Chemical solvents and supplies

  • Ice cube
  • Iron
  • Dry cleaning solvent
  • Carpet Shampoo
  • Rubbing Alcohol
  1. Put an ice cube in a plastic bag and place over the foreign material to harden it.
  2. Scrape off surface wax with dull knife.
  3. Cover stained area with several layers of paper towels and press lightly with a warm (not hot) iron until all foreign material is removed. Be careful not to melt fibers with iron.
  4. Shampoo, let dry, and then vacuum. 
  5. Some colors, red, may leave a dye stain that is difficult or impossible to remove.
  6. Try applying dry cleaning solvent. Blot using clean towels as long as color is removed. (Test to products in inconspicuous area.)
  7. Shampoo to remove dry cleaning solvent. 

OR

  1. Spread brown paper (such as grocery bag) or a terry cloth towel over the area and iron with the setting on “Warm." The wax will be absorbed into the paper or towel.
  2. Remove any traces with alcohol or dry cleaning solvent.

Steps to Clean

Upholstery

What you will need

  • Dry cleaning solvent
  • Ice cube

Steps to Clean

  1. If the wax is still soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess wax.
  2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the dry cleaning solvent.
  3. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
  4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.