6 ways to remove wax or paraffin stain

If your favorite clothes, tablecloth or upholstery is stained with wax, this is not a reason to worry. Getting rid of it without a trace is not so difficult. Our experts have learned how to effectively and quickly remove wax or paraffin stains using available tools. We share the secrets of cleaning products from different types of fabrics, shoes and upholstery from the effects of a dripping candle with the readers of our magazine.

Wax Removal Tips

Wax is a substance composed of esters of fatty acids and high molecular weight alcohols. It is plastic, easily melts at temperatures above 60 ° C, adheres well to various surfaces. Low temperatures destroy the structure of the wax, it begins to crumble. After removal, greasy traces remain.

Knowing the physical properties, it is easy to understand how to remove wax stains on wardrobe items or upholstery – you must first expose the product to temperature, and then use a grease remover.

It is important to take into account the characteristics of the material and the candle, from which traces remain. Methods for removing stains from a regular household candle on cotton will differ from methods that can be used to remove stains from colored paraffin from wool or silk. Before moving on to a quick guide on how to remove wax from various types of fabric, our experts advise what to avoid in cases of melted candle contamination.

1. Rub fresh drops of wax or paraffin, otherwise it can lead to an increase in the area of ​​dirt and damage to the structure of the fabric. It is best to wait 5-10 minutes for the wax to dry and try to remove it with a knife, spoon, coin or plastic card.

2. Wash the product without removing dirt from the surface. Washing or rinsing in cold water can cause the wax to crumble and settle in other areas. On subsequent ironing, it will melt and leave multiple marks.

3. Expose products soiled with a colored candle to high temperatures – the dye penetrates deeper into the fibers of the fabric, and it will be more difficult to remove it.

4. Use aggressive chemicals or stain removers to remove wax grease from delicate and synthetic fabrics. Also, these materials should not be cleaned with hot methods.

Wax stains are not the type of contamination to be dealt with hot on the trail. You need to give it time to cool down, otherwise you can aggravate the situation. In addition, hot paraffin can leave burns on the skin, so we do not recommend touching fresh drops with your bare hands.

Methods for removing wax from various surfaces

Wax and paraffin cannot be removed with any detergents – only with the help of chemical liquids or temperature exposure:

1. hot (using an iron, boiling or steaming)

2. cold (freezing with ice or in the freezer).

Hot methods can be used if the stain has formed:

1. on white things;

2. on products with persistent staining;

3. on cotton fabrics, including denim.

For delicate fabrics, shoes and items with colored candle marks, use the cold removal method.

Let's consider all methods in more detail.

With an iron

The most popular and effective method of removing candle marks from clothing is by ironing. In order for the process of cleaning the product to be successful, you need to stock up on paper towels or napkins (toilet paper or a regular notebook sheet is also suitable) and turn on the iron by setting the switch to the medium heat mode. Next, we act in accordance with the instructions.

1. Put several napkins or a sheet of paper folded 2-3 times under the stain (on the wrong side of the product).

2. On top (on the front side) put a couple of napkins and a thin cotton cloth (you can use a handkerchief).

3. With a heated iron, iron the fabric, changing napkins as the melted wax is absorbed into them.

4. Iron the product until there are no marks on the napkins.

We recommend using this method for cleaning products that can be ironed – clothes and tablecloths.

Removal by steam or hot air

From the upholstery of upholstered furniture, carpets or items that cannot be ironed, our experts advise to remove paraffin using a steam generator or hair dryer. For this you need:

1. put a cotton napkin on the stain (it is advisable to press it tightly against the fabric, if possible);

2. direct a hot stream of air or steam to the place of contamination (the wax should soften and adhere to the cotton);

3. heat until all the wax is absorbed into the napkin;

4. carefully remove it.

The method requires caution – careless handling of steam can cause severe skin burns.

Boiling water exposure

Products made from natural fabrics can be placed in boiling water for a few minutes. We recommend doing this as:

1. fill a wide container (pan or basin) almost to the top with water;

2. heat the liquid to a boil and turn off the stove;

3. carefully, so as not to burn yourself, put a soiled thing on the surface of the water – the wax should melt under the influence of high temperature and move away;

4. remove the product from boiling water.

To remove small specks, you can use hot water from the tap – the melting temperature of the wax is low, therefore, holding clothes or a tablecloth under the pressure of water for several minutes, you can achieve its complete dissolution.

Freezer refrigeration

Freezing is the best way to remove stains from melted colored candles. It is also ideal for fur, woolen, leather or synthetic products, as well as for shoes.

The instructions for use are pretty simple:

1. wrap the soiled product in a plastic bag;

2. put in a freezer (or take out in severe frosts on a balcony or street) for 30-60 minutes;

3. bring the thing to the warmth, carefully wrinkle and rub the place of contamination between the fingers – the paraffin will crumble, you just have to shake it off;

4. leftovers can be scraped off with the blunt side of a knife or scissors, with a fingernail, or cleaned with a toothbrush.

The wax saturates the fabric through and through – traces remain on both the front and the wrong side, so they must be removed from both sides at once.

Applying ice

You can use ice to remove wax from bulky items from any fabric that cannot be placed in the freezer (food from the freezer is also suitable).

You need to put ice in a plastic bag on a wax spot for 30-40 minutes and after the time has elapsed try to scrape the stained place with something sharp: with a fingernail, a key, the edge of a knife or rub it with your hands. A large spot can first be smashed with a sharp or heavy object.

The method is well suited for the immediate removal of fresh dirt. If you put ice on the just dripped wax, then with a high probability the stain will go away in 5 minutes without any traces.

Removal with chemical liquids

To soften the old paraffin stain will help:

1. alcohol;

2. solvent 646;

3. refined gasoline;

4. turpentine;

5. acetone;

6. White Spirit.

They can be used for rough fabrics, suede, leather, as well as for pieces of furniture or wardrobe that cannot be exposed to temperature. Colored paraffin stains can also be removed this way.

Mode of application:

1. soak a cotton pad or cotton towel with any of the liquids;

2. put on the stain;

3. wait 5-15 minutes (depending on the thickness of the wax layer);

4. scrape the fabric on both sides with an object with a hard edge (knife edge, plastic card);

5. repeat the treatment with the liquid once again, if necessary.

Instead of alcohol, you can use a cologne or a spray of eau de toilette. They are easy to apply to the surface of the fabric, and after processing, a pleasant aroma remains (which cannot be said about solvent or gasoline).

How to get rid of greasy marks after wax removal

After successful removal of wax by any of the methods, as a rule, a greasy mark remains. There are six ways to get rid of it. All of them have been tested by our experts and rated as effective and safe.

Method 1. Sprinkle with talcum powder or crushed chalk

Talc can safely remove wax residues from any fabric. For this you need:

1. sprinkle powder on the stain;

2. it is advisable to put something heavy on top;

3. wait 10 minutes;

4. rub the place of contamination with a brush;

5. shake off the remains.

After processing, you need to wash the product or rinse the surface with clean water.

Method 2. Wash with laundry soap

If you thoroughly lather the stain left by the candle on your clothes with laundry soap and leave it for 10-15 minutes, then it will go away without a trace.

Method 3. Treat with ammonia (10% ammonia)

To cleanse white and colored things from fatty deposits, you can use ammonia:

1. dilute 1 tbsp. ammonia in 100 g of warm water;

2. moisten a cotton pad or sponge with the solution;

3. put contamination in place for 10 minutes;

4. rub with a toothbrush.

Next, you need to wash the product with any detergent in the washing machine or by hand.

Method 4. Apply slurry of soda

Baking soda does an excellent job of removing greasy wax marks on all surfaces. To prepare the gruel, you need to mix 2 tbsp. soda with 1 tbsp. warm water. Next, apply it in a thick layer to the stained area and leave it for 15 minutes. After that, you need to rub the dirt with a brush and wash.

Method 5. Wash with dishwashing liquid

You can also get rid of greasy marks with the help of 'Fairy' or any other dishwashing detergent. You just need to apply a few drops to the stained area and wait 5 minutes. Then thoroughly brush (or rub between hands) and wash.

Method 6. Treat with micellar water (make-up remover)

Micellar water not only attracts impurities from the face and removes makeup residues, but also easily removes greasy spots. We process a place that needs cleaning with a cotton pad with a product, wait 5 minutes and … rejoice at the result.

How to remove colored paraffin stains

If the paraffin wax from a colored candle has been cold removed from the product, traces of the dye may still remain on it. You can display them using:

1. solvent;

2. white spirit;

3. turpentine;

4. refined gasoline.

It is necessary to soak a cotton pad in one of the liquids and carefully clean the stain with it until the dye is completely removed from the surface.

Advice! Before handling any chemical liquid contamination, you need to test how it will act on the fabric in an inconspicuous place. This is especially true for products made of colored fabrics – instead of a trace of paraffin, a discolored stain may remain.

White items made from natural fabrics can be soaked in chlorine bleach, and colored items can be washed with an oxygen stain remover: 'Vanish', 'Amway' or 'Dr. Beckmann Expert '.

It is not as difficult to eliminate such a nuisance as wax or paraffin stains as it might seem at first glance. Taking into account the peculiarities of fabrics, choosing a convenient removal method and a suitable product will help you easily get rid of marks without harming the product.

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