How to remove candle wax: how to get rid of wax from glass, clothes, tablecloths and more!

Your guests are drinking delicious cocktails and suddenly the candles you have lit to enhance the atmosphere are more of a danger than a help. The wax spills over your linen tablecloth and may find its way onto the carpet and floor. The bad news is that there is no magical, quick and easy way to remove candle wax from everything. The good news is that with a little patience and knowledge, you can remove wax from almost anything. Discover how to remove candle wax below!

How to remove candle wax from glass

Whether it’s wax that has dripped down the side of your glass candlestick, or a wax stain on a glass mirror or on your lantern, here’s how to remove candle wax without damaging the glass or leaving a waxy residue:

• Scrape off the excess wax with a butter knife.
• Use a hair dryer on medium heat to soften the wax.
• When the wax softens, wipe it away with paper towels.

Get candle holders clean again

This is a method to remove wax from candle holders that can withstand heat and are small enough to fit in a pot of boiling water.

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Place the item in the boiling water. The candle wax melts and floats on the surface of the water.
• Once the wax has melted, remove the candlestick from the water with tongs to protect your hands.
• Alternatively, you can remove the pot from the heat, allow the water to cool, and then skim the wax off the surface of the water before removing the item.
• Skim the wax off the surface of the water and dispose of it in the trash (avoid pouring waxy water down the drain).

How to remove candle wax from clothing, tablecloths and fabrics

If you spill wax on your clothes, you can scrape it for hours and still not get it completely off. The best tip to remove candle wax from clothing, tablecloth, even your jeans is to use heat.

• First, use a butter knife to remove as much of the larger chunks of wax as possible. Scrape gently to avoid nicking or tearing the fabric.
• Place the garment or tablecloth between two plain paper bags as if you were making a sandwich. Any type of non-glossy paper bag will do.
• Set the iron to medium heat, and then iron over the paper bags until the wax transfers from the fabric or clothing to the paper bags. Repeat the process with clean paper bags as needed.
• This method works on a variety of fabrics, including cotton. It even works on upholstery and delicate fabrics like silk and wool – just be sure to use the lowest possible heat setting and keep the iron moving so you don’t leave a spot under direct heat for too long.

Wash tablecloths, cloth napkins and clothes

If candle wax has dripped, splashed, or spilled onto washable fabrics such as tablecloths, cloth napkins, curtains, or clothing, scrape off as much as possible with a butter knife or the edge of a spoon. Do not use sharp objects to avoid damaging the fabric. Then wash the garment according to the instructions on the care label in the washing machine at the highest water temperature the fabric can tolerate. Usually, the wax will come off with a wash without you having to do any extra work. Before drying, inspect the garment to ensure wax has been removed and no stains remain.

Removing candle wax from wood

Use a hair dryer to soften the wax and then wipe it off with a soft cloth. Resist the temptation to rub off the wax. This can damage the wood or finish.

How to remove wax stains from carpet?

Place a paper bag or paper towel over the wax. Set your iron on a low heat setting and run it across the cloth onto the waxy area. The wax will be absorbed by the paper.

Candle wax stains on the floor: get tiles clean

Rub an ice cube over the wax on the tiles to solidify it. Once the wax has hardened, you can gently scrape it off with a fingernail or dull knife. If stubborn wax residue remains, place a brown paper bag over it. Rub an iron over the brown paper bag on low heat and turn the bag over to a clean spot while the candle wax soaks into it.

How to removing candle wax stains from stone?

• Rub the wax with an ice cube until it has completely hardened, then scrape the wax off with a dull knife.
• If wax residue remains, place a paper bag or several paper towels over the area. Heat an iron on the lowest setting and rub the warm iron over the paper bag or paper towels until the wax has soaked into the paper.
• When the candle wax is removed, a stain may remain. In this case, moisten a cloth with rubbing alcohol and use it to wipe the stains until they disappear. If the stain is stubborn, put a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a paper towel, place the paper towel over the stain and press it firmly on the stone. Leave the paper towel on the stone for several hours or until dry.