Although it can be annoying, many of us have had the common mishap of getting wax on our clothes. Getting rid of wax from candles, crayons, or beauty products can be difficult, especially if you don’t want to ruin your favorite outfit.
Fortunately, wax can be removed from clothing in an easy and efficient manner, regardless of the fabric. To guarantee that the wax is entirely removed from each fabric without leaving any stains or residue behind, a different method must be used for each one.
We’ll walk you through the different techniques and products that suit different types of fabrics in this article. You can easily return your clothes to their original state if you have the right tools and a little perseverance.
Wax removal from clothing can be challenging, but with the right method, you can do it without causing any harm to the fabric. This guide explains how to remove wax stains from various types of fabric using products and techniques that work well and keep your clothes looking great.
- Types and features of wax and why it is not always possible to get rid of stains at home
- Methods for removing solidified drops of wax from fabric
- How to remove wax using heat and steam
- Removing wax stains with an iron
- Iron, paper and wet cloth
- Steamer
- Hair dryer
- Steam and hot air treatment
- Metal spoon
- Freezing
- Freezing in the freezer
- Freezing in frosty winter outside
- Simplified version
- Cold water
- How to get rid of stains and greasy marks after removing wax
- How to wash off wax with detergents
- Laundry soap
- Washing gel
- Antipyatin soap
- Dishwashing liquid
- Organic solvents
- Turpentine
- Gasoline
- Alcohol
- Removing stains with vodka
- Other ways to remove greasy stains
- Baking soda paste
- Salt, borax, ice and citric acid
- Treatment with makeup remover or micellar water
- Antiseptic wipes
- Chalk and talc
- How to remove colored wax stains from clothes
- Removing colored wax stains on white fabrics
- Ways to remove difficult stains from multi-colored laundry
- How to remove wax from fabrics that cannot be washed
- Mechanical method
- Denatured alcohol
- Specialized products – stain removers
- Dry cleaning
- Express method for removing wax
- Features of removing wax or paraffin from different types of fabric
- Removing stains from natural fabrics
- Removing wax stains from jeans
- Alcohol and salt
- Freezer and iron
- Denatured alcohol
- Washing with soaking
- Removing wax from delicate fabrics
- Detergents and dishwashing liquid
- Ammonia
- Cologne
- Cold water
- How to remove wax from synthetic fabrics
- Removing stains with turpentine and gasoline
- Removing wax with water
- Removing wax from fur
- How to remove wax from suede
- Treatment with hot steam
- Ironing
- Ammonia, wine vinegar, gasoline
- "Hot" napkins
- How to remove wax from napped fabrics
- How to remove wax drops from leather
- Cleaning fabrics with unstable coloring
- Chalk
- Talc, low temperature and a heavy book
- Tips for cleaning wax from different types of fabric and different surfaces
- Video on the topic
- how to remove wax from clothes / removing wax stains / sewing workshop
- How to remove candle wax from clothes
- How to remove and wash WAX FROM CLOTHES from a candle at home. How to wash wax drops from fabric
Types and features of wax and why it is not always possible to get rid of stains at home
One of the byproducts of the apiary is pure natural wax, which is created by the bees’ wax glands and utilized by insects to construct honeycombs. The majority of complex, essential substances make up organic matter. Upon reaching a specific temperature, the wax rapidly solidifies into dense droplets. It’s simple to remove them from fabric or any other hard surface.
However, pure wax is seldom used for domestic purposes. Rather, paraffin, which is a byproduct of processing oil and gas, or stearin, which is derived from animal fats like lard or vegetable oils like coconut and palm, are more widely used.
There are numerous physical similarities between artificial paraffin and natural wax. In water, neither product dissolves. They cannot be mechanically removed or washed away without endangering the material. They surround the fibers and solidify when heated and liquid.
The issue is exacerbated when colored wax for candles is made with artificial caustic fat-soluble dyes. The hardest to get rid of are these.
Because of all of this, removing wax from clothing requires multitasking. It is broken down into multiple steps: first, the solid substance’s structure is destroyed and the frozen dense mass is mechanically removed; next, fatty acids, coloring pigments, and soot are removed; any remnants are left behind as stains on the fabric.
Methods for removing solidified drops of wax from fabric
Wax can be removed from clothing without altering the fabric’s structure by either heating or cooling the solidified droplets. It is not advisable to use a knife to scrape them off, pick them off with your fingernail, or apply forceful pressure to the stain.
How to remove wax using heat and steam
By using a hot technique—such as an iron, hair dryer, or steam—you can melt the solidified wax droplets and extract them from the fabric’s surface. However, colored paraffin and wax cannot be removed using this method. The coloring pigment will seep even further into the fabric’s fibers when heated, making stain removal extremely challenging.
Removing wax stains with an iron
This technique is applied to ironable fabrics. You must use an ironing board or flat surface to straighten the area of the garment where the wax has fallen in order to accomplish this. First, place paper towels or other absorbent soft paper underneath it. A piece of cotton fabric was also placed on top of the stain.
Adjust the iron’s temperature so that it can be used to iron the fabric you are treating. This data is listed on the label. For a brief period of time, iron the stained portion of the cloth. The paper will take up the melted wax.
Replace the paper right away with fresh paper and repeat the heating process if you are unable to remove all of the solid wax pieces the first time and there are still particles on the clothes. Washing the clothes is possible once the fabric is perfectly clean.
Iron, paper and wet cloth
Another method for easing the wax. Lay a wet cotton cloth or terry towel over the stain, then place a piece of white paper on top. For a few minutes, iron the multi-layer structure with a hot iron. The fabric should absorb the majority of the wax. And after washing, whatever is left will eventually vanish.
Steamer
Wax stains can also be melted using a steamer. You should make an effort to keep the device at least 15 cm away from the stain’s location to avoid damaging the fabric’s surface.
Hair dryer
Use a piece of soft, natural fabric to cover the wax-stained area. And aim a hot air stream at it. It should melt the solidified wax and seep into the fabric. Using a fresh rag each time, repeat the process until the stain is completely gone in order to completely remove the wax. Wash the clothing after heating it. Use a stain remover if the grease stain is still present.
Steam and hot air treatment
For a few seconds, hold the stained portion of the clothing over the steam produced by boiling water in a saucepan or kettle. Using a towel or paper napkin, blot the melted wax. Change the napkins and repeat the process a few more times.
This is a gentler method than ironing with a hot iron; it works similarly to using a hair dryer or steam cleaner to remove wax stains. Reduced possibility of the material’s structure being harmed and the item being ruined.
Metal spoon
This method of removing wax from clothing will be useful if the stain is tiny and the high temperature won’t harm the fabric’s structure. Lay a piece of cotton fabric on top of the stain and a paper napkin underneath. Apply a metal spoon that has been heated to boiling water to the stained area for a brief period of time. Change the cloth and napkins as you go through the process multiple times.
Freezing
The first method is exactly the opposite for removing hard wax; instead of heating the clothes, cool them down. Dense materials, like denim and suits, and fabrics that cannot withstand high temperatures are good candidates for freezing.
Clothes stained by colored candle wax are cleaned using the same technique. The freezing method, however, might be ineffective for fluffy and porous materials, into whose fibers wax penetrates as deeply as possible. Additionally for delicate fabrics that, for example, cannot be cleaned mechanically with a brush.
Freezing in the freezer
The stained item is frozen for several hours at a temperature of -5 °C in the freezer after folding and stuffing into a bag. When applied within five minutes of contamination, the fatty substances from the wax have not had time to soak into the fabric fibers, making this method particularly effective.
The frozen paraffin turns brittle and comes off the fabric’s surface with ease. You must first give the frozen wax a gentle hand rub in order for it to crumble. Next, use a brush to remove any remaining tiny wax particles.
Using the blunt side of a knife, try carefully scraping off strongly dried pieces from dense, smooth materials. A soft toothbrush works better for delicate and loose materials.
Freezing in frosty winter outside
You can live without a refrigerator if the stain originated during the winter. It suffices to hang the clothing outside or on the balcony for a while before brushing them. Use a stain remover or a technique chosen for the type of fabric if the stain persists.
Simplified version
If the stain spread to large outerwear that you are unable to freeze, you can use a bag of ice or a cooling cassette for a thermal bag to treat the stained area.
Such freezing has an effect akin to refrigeration freezing.
Cold water
Place the clothing in an ice-filled basin and let it sit there for a few minutes. Next, use a brush to remove the remaining wax after scraping off the hardened portion.
How to get rid of stains and greasy marks after removing wax
The second phase is this one. After the fabric has been stripped of the thick layer of wax, you should start removing carbon and soot from paraffin, fat from stearin, and colored stains from coloring pigments.
Unattractive stains nearly always stay on the clothing after the main wax mass has been removed. Various detergents, solvents, turpentine, ammonia, liquid and laundry soap, kerosene, alcohol, and stain removers are used to get rid of them.
These goods, though, are not available everywhere. They are not equally appropriate for various fabric kinds. Certain materials, like synthetics, delicate fabrics, and fabrics with erratic colors, may sustain structural damage as a result of this kind of treatment. Certain products are only safe to use if they don’t damage the fabric. We will then look at a list of products and techniques that are utilized more frequently than others.
How to wash off wax with detergents
They are employed to get rid of recent and previous paraffin stains. Their strategy is to have a long-term impact on the tainted fabric.
Laundry soap
After soaking it in hot water and cleaning it by hand with laundry soap, the item should be free of wax fragments.
Washing gel
After removing any hardened wax residue from the stain, use a concentrated detergent. Using a sponge, massage it into the fibers and let it sit for 20 to 25 minutes. Repeatedly wash by hand, followed by a machine wash.
Antipyatin soap
Use a lot of soap and pre-moistened cloth to heavily stain the area. Use a brush to gently rub the stain to get rid of any last tiny wax particles. Rinse everything out. Carry out the process once more. However, this time, leave the soap foam in the unclean area for thirty minutes. Next, hand-wash the stain once more with Antipyatin soap.
Dishwashing liquid
The product is used to remove old stains that were found on outerwear or after washing clothes from fabrics with a rough texture. Using a thick-textured, premium detergent that is made to get rid of even the toughest grease and scale stains yields the best results.
After applying dishwashing gel all over the unclean surface, cover it with cling film or plastic wrap. Treat the stain in this manner for a full 12-hour period. Next, wash your hands.
Using a small amount of dish gel on the stain without rubbing it in is a quicker method of cleaning with the same product. Till it dries, leave it on the fabric. Wash the clothes as normal after that.
Important tip: use colorless dishwashing detergent to remove stains from white fabric. Its color may be altered by the dyes that are added. You can use any detergent on dark clothing.
Organic solvents
Regarded as highly aggressive and need to be used sparingly, provided that the solvent in question is safe for the fabric in question.
Turpentine
The resin of coniferous trees is used to make turpentine. It effectively dissolves dried films from drying oil, fats, oils, mastic, shoe polish, resins, and oil paints. ideal for getting rid of paraffin stains. both new and deeply embedded. However, the second scenario will require a longer course of treatment.
Method 1: Use a cotton pad that has been liberally moistened with turpentine to wipe the contaminated area after wetting it with hot water. If the stain is still present, keep treating it and swapping out the pads until the stain is gone. For roughly twenty minutes, leave a napkin dipped in turpentine on the old stain. Wash the item at the highest temperature that is acceptable after eliminating any remaining paraffin.
Method 2: Ammonia and turpentine. Combine the ingredients in equal amounts and leave on the stain for a few minutes. Use a sponge to gently rub the stain off the area in order to remove it completely.
Gasoline
A solvent that was comparable to the last one but had a stronger impact on the substance.
Use a cotton pad dipped in gasoline to clean the areas that are stained. As the paraffin dissolves, swap out the pads for clean ones. The cotton pad can be left on the fabric for seven to ten minutes in order to remove an old stain. Rinse the clothes in warm water and wash them after that.
It is not advised to leave gasoline on it for an extended period of time in order to preserve the material’s structure and colors.
Alcohol
This approach is pretty forceful. Furthermore, using it on thin, delicate fabrics like silk, chiffon, etc. is not advised. You can use vodka in place of alcohol in this recipe.
After the wax has frozen in the freezer, apply a 1:2 mixture of water and alcohol to the remaining stain. Give the stain a half-hour exposure to the wet sponge. Next, use laundry soap to wash.
Removing stains with vodka
After the main stain has been removed, apply a little vodka to the remaining stain and let it sit for about fifteen minutes. Next, use a cloth to wipe the stained area. Repeat the process multiple times if the stain cannot be removed the first time.
Other ways to remove greasy stains
Baking soda paste
Once the majority of the hard wax has been removed, moisten the affected area and apply an even layer of soda to cover the stain. Take a twenty-minute break. Next, use warm water to wash everything clean.
Cooking soda soda with one tablespoon of warm water and two tablespoons of soda is the second option. After 15 minutes of applying the mixture, scrub the stain with a brush.
Salt, borax, ice and citric acid
Even colored wax stains can be removed by the ingredients in this recipe.
Use ice to remove the frozen wax, then treat the stain with a borax solution. After that, the equal parts of prepared citric acid and fine salt were left to sit for a few minutes. Wash the product you applied from the stain after that. Wash your clothes.
Treatment with makeup remover or micellar water
After removing the majority of the wax, use a cotton pad soaked in one of these greasy stain dissolvers to clean the remaining stain.
Antiseptic wipes
Use a moist cloth to clean grease stains that have been frozen. Use more than one piece if needed.
Chalk and talc
Apply talc (baby powder) or crushed chalk to the soiled area. Use a heavy object to apply pressure. Rinse the clothes and brush the stain after ten minutes.
How to remove colored wax stains from clothes
Colorant compositions vary, as does their longevity. You must first ascertain the composition and kind of fabric used to make the clothes in order to obtain the best outcome and remove as much wax from them as possible using one or more products.
Removing colored wax stains on white fabrics
It is acceptable to use bleaches with chlorine if the material is a dense natural substance.
Using a cotton swab, apply the product to a small stain. If a sizable region is contaminated, the object is fully submerged for twenty to thirty minutes. This will stop colored stains from forming fuzzy patches on the clothing. The items are then thoroughly rinsed and cleaned as normal.
Sometimes softer methods are employed rather than harsh chlorine to remove colored stains from white fabric. Aqueous solutions of salt, soda, and citric acid can be used; one tablespoon of each ingredient is prepared for every glass of water. Another option is 3% hydrogen peroxide.
The liquid is used for half an hour on unclean surfaces. After that, the stain is thoroughly rinsed and cleaned with laundry soap. The item is then placed in the washing machine and given a thorough wash.
Boiling water can be used to remove greasy and colored stains from white fabric. This can be accomplished by stretching the stained area of the clothing with the wrong side facing up and using a kettle hose to try and remove any coloring pigments and fat particles that have seeped into the fabric.
Ways to remove difficult stains from multi-colored laundry
Safer techniques and stain removal methods are employed for items made of delicate, thin fabrics that need to be handled carefully, as well as for colored and dark colored materials.
Areas of contamination should be treated with an aqueous solution of acetic acid (1 tablespoon per glass of water), which should be left on the fabric’s surface for 30 minutes. If the stain does not go away, you can also use dishwashing liquid or alcohol while putting a cotton towel underneath the material. Next, give the item a thorough wash.
When the previous techniques of treatment with softer means were unable to produce the desired result, more radical means such as kerosene, ammonia, acetone, turpentine, and refined gasoline were employed.
For coarse, dense fabrics, home "chemistry" derived from petroleum product processing works better at removing paraffin stains. However, all solvents are highly aggressive in nature and have an unpleasant, lingering smell.
They blot the stains from the edges toward the center after soaking a cotton pad. At least two treatments should be administered, separated by a 30-minute rest period. The stains are then removed by washing. Once the desired outcome is achieved, give the item a thorough wash and rinse to get rid of any remaining smell. Gloves must be worn when handling solvents.
A specific stain remover is used to remove intricate stains from colored wax. After applying it to the stain, it should be cleaned using any available methods and first frozen with a piece of ice. The clothes need to be processed in accordance with the directions and then cleaned in warm water. And not once, but again and again.
Old stains are the most challenging to remove with wax. They are the most difficult to eradicate. Furthermore, it’s not always possible to get rid of them entirely. Dry cleaning is your only option in this situation.
How to remove wax from fabrics that cannot be washed
Mechanical method
If the wax stain is still very fresh, this technique can be used on clothing composed of thick fabrics. The paraffin can be scraped off with a blunt object or removed with a stiff brush if it hasn’t yet soaked the fibers. You can use a knife or nail file to clean up a sizable contaminated area.
Once the wax has been swiftly removed from the surface, the clothes must be shaken hard to remove any last bits of small particles. If the stain is still there, you can either take it to the dry cleaners or use a stain remover made specifically for the fabric that the clothes are made of.
Denatured alcohol
Used to get rid of wax stains from things that aren’t washable. Scrape off the frozen paraffin droplets to accomplish this. Apply a small amount of denatured alcohol to the residual stain and use a cotton pad to gently wipe it off until it is gone.
Specialized products – stain removers
The only option left is to apply a stain remover, which is the conventional method of eliminating different stains from textiles, if all other attempts to remove a wax stain with home remedies have failed.
- Dr. Beckmann stain remover is a liquid product that effectively removes candle wax stains and hardened wax.
- Citrus Gel from Prochem is used not only to remove wax, but also chewing gum.
- Spartan Chewing Gum Remover – a product sprayed on a wax stain freezes it. Then the paraffin wax residue can be easily cleaned off.
- Koch Chemie is a car dry cleaning product. It is applied to the stain with a highly absorbent cloth.
- Sapur Freeze (Carpet Freeze) – a product for removing wax and chewing gum. The aerosol is sprayed onto textiles to quickly freeze the wax and then remove it.
- Denkmit OXI POWER.
- Ecover.
- Denkmit.
- Crinis.
- Antipyatin.
- Vanish.
- Faberlic.
- Boss.
Chlorine-containing products are appropriate for linen and white cotton textiles. Chlorine is not present in universal products for various fabric types.
Effective products are those designed specifically to remove wax from the skin during epilation and depilation. Take Italwax lotion, for instance. These viscous fluids contain ingredients that dissolve and destroy wax on clothing. After that, soap washing is simple. They are available for purchase at pharmacies and specialty shops.
It is vital to determine the extent of a stain’s impact on the fabric’s structure using a test area that is not noticeable on the garment before applying lotion or cream to it. By taking these precautions, you can help prevent paint erosion, fabric discoloration, and fiber destruction.
Prior to using industrial products to remove wax from fabric, read the instructions carefully and determine which types of fabric—light, colored, or any other—they are meant for. additionally, conduct a pre-test on a discrete portion of the item.
Dry cleaning
There are instances where it is best to avoid attempting DIY wax stain removal. Hire a dry cleaner to save the item from total ruin; they are skilled at removing dyes and stains from fabrics, including wax and paraffin.
This makes sense in the following situations:
- a large area of \u200b\u200bthe clothing is dirty;
- wax or paraffin gets on clothing made of expensive or delicate fabric;
- the clothing is stained with colored wax, which is especially difficult to remove from fabric;
- the wax stain is not fresh, but already old;
- fur or expensive outerwear is dirty;
- the item that has been stained with wax cannot be washed.
Express method for removing wax
Any available method will come in handy if the stain occurred outside of your home and you don’t have anything on hand to quickly remove a fresh stain.
Using a handkerchief or napkin, gently blot the stain without rubbing it in. Then apply perfume to the affected area. Perfume contains alcohol, which partially neutralizes the wax and keeps it from seeping into the fabric too quickly.
It is not possible to completely remove the stain. However, the clothes might still be salvageable if you can wash them quickly.
Features of removing wax or paraffin from different types of fabric
To ensure that the wax is removed and to prevent the material’s structure from being damaged, it is important to know the precise method for treating a given type of fabric.
Removing stains from natural fabrics
Wax stains on linen and cotton clothing can be easily and successfully removed using the hot method and boiling water.
Method 1: Boil the stained object for a few seconds in boiling water. The wax will melt and float right away. Remove the item and examine it for any remaining stains. If so, carry out the steps again. But each time, use clean water.
Method 2: After the garment is tightly stretched over a small, wide container (a small basin, wide bowl, or saucepan), pour boiling water from a kettle onto the stained area. The basic idea behind this process is the same: the melted wax will be removed from the fabric fibers using hot water. Doing this as a group is more convenient and safer.
Method 3: Boiling bleach and using dish soap. After the item has been cleaned and allowed to freeze from the primary contamination, place it in a metal bucket or basin filled with water, detergent, and bleach, and light it. Heat until it boils, about ten to fifteen minutes. Next remove it, give it a quick rinse, and give it a machine wash. This choice works well for linen or white cotton clothing.
Method 4: Iron the stain at the highest temperature that the fabric is advised to withstand. Put a cloth napkin on the ironing board to accomplish this. A sheet of clean paper and the object with the stain on the front were placed on top of it. The paper will eventually absorb the wax after being ironed with a hot iron. Until the sheets stay clean, repeat the process with fresh paper each time. Next, give the treated item a thorough machine wash.
Hydrogen peroxide method number five. The primary application of this product is stain removal from natural light fabrics. Spread the item out on a level surface and place a piece of film underneath the stain once the majority of the dirt has been removed. Apply a small amount of peroxide to the stain, then place an opaque bag and towel over it. Give the fabric with peroxide for approximately sixty minutes. Do it again if the removal is not flawless.
Removing wax stains from jeans
There are various methods for doing this. Because denim is a dense material, steaming, freezing, or ironing it at a high temperature won’t harm it.
Alcohol and salt
Use an ethyl alcohol-soaked sponge to treat the deeply embedded stain, and let it sit on the fabric’s surface for approximately half an hour. After that, work salt into the stain to help it absorb the alcohol-dissolved paraffin fats. Toss the salt and the wax fragments around. Use a brush to remove any residue.
Sometimes it’s not possible to get the results you want the first time. Up to five repetitions of the process may be necessary at times. Gasoline can also be used to treat any leftover fat deposits.
Another option exists. For several hours, generously coat the stain with a thick layer of gruel made of salt and alcohol. Next, give the stain a manual or machine wash.
Freezer and iron
The solidified wax easily separates and crumbles from the fabric fibers after being frozen in the refrigerator. Place the soiled clothes on a paper towel after removing the paraffin. Put a thin cotton napkin over it. Iron the area that is problematic. Use a stain remover if the stain does not go away.
Denatured alcohol
Stains on unwashed denim can be removed using this technique. Apply a gentle swipe motion with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol to remove the pre-cleaned stain. Next, give this section of the garment a hand wash. Wash thoroughly if needed.
Washing with soaking
This is a method you can try if the stain is not too old. For 30 minutes, soak the jeans in water that has been heated to 50 degrees and add washing powder or gel. Next, give the affected area a hand wash using dishwashing liquid or laundry soap.
Avoid using ammonia to take off wax from jeans whenever possible. The fabric’s color could be ruined.
Removing wax from delicate fabrics
Wax stains on silk, wool, organza, satin, and chiffon garments should be removed with the least abrasive techniques and materials possible.
Detergents and dishwashing liquid
Dishwashing or laundry detergents are typically used to remove wax stains from silk and woolen items that shouldn’t be cleaned mechanically.
To ensure better stain removal from the fabric and to slow down the drying process, areas that have been soaked are covered with polyethylene, also known as food wrap. and depart for a day or overnight. After that, the contaminated area is meticulously hand-washed to prevent the material’s structure from being distorted.
After the initial procedure, this method typically removes the stain completely. The process can be repeated if the stains are hard to remove.
Ammonia
The product has a strong aggressiveness. However, it is used to remove stains from silk at a low concentration (10 ml of ammonia per liter of water). The liquid seeps into the fibers, dissolving the hardened wax and enabling its removal from the fabric’s structure. For two to three minutes, apply the product to the stain. Rinse the affected area with warm water after treatment.
Cologne
Cologne can be used to clean silk items that have been frozen and cleared of any solidified wax. This can be accomplished by treating the oily stain for approximately 20 minutes on the fabric using a cotton pad soaked in cologne.
Cold water
This technique works well on wool, denim, and leather that has recently become stained. To make the wax droplets solidify, the clothes must be submerged in cold water for a short while. And use makeshift implements to extract them. During washing, the last few minor stains will be eliminated.
How to remove wax from synthetic fabrics
Generally speaking, synthetic fibers used to make polyester, nylon, and capron don’t absorb wax. However, freezing is the simplest way to get rid of any contamination traces if this occurs. Once the hardened drops have been scraped off, wash the item in a solution of strong soap.
Synthetic materials are typically not suitable for boiling, steaming, or ironing. However, you can use a hair dryer or an iron set to the "synthetics" mode if the material is some sort of synthetic that can tolerate high temperatures.
Solvents can damage certain synthetic textiles. A discreet location should be used to pre-test their impact.
Removing stains with turpentine and gasoline
First, cotton pads soaked in one of these liquids are used to rub off the stains. After that, rinse and wash in warm water.
Removing wax with water
For a few seconds, submerge the clothing in a basin of hot water that is just warm enough for synthetic materials. Using a cotton pad, pull out and remove the melted wax. It will be necessary to repeat this process multiple times. Washing the fabric in a soap solution will remove any small particles that may have remained in it.
Removing wax from fur
Dealing with that kind of material is challenging. Fur cannot be cleaned, ironed, or heated in any way. Freezing the stained object is the easiest solution. Then, using your fingers, carefully remove the paraffin from the base to the tips of the villi, being careful not to rip out the fur threads.
The hardened wax will therefore crumble and be simple to shake off.
How to remove wax from suede
Suede can be hot-treated, making it easier to remove wax specks than fur. But there’s a good chance you could ruin the suede product.
Treatment with hot steam
Wax is readily removed from the suede surface by holding the affected area over hot steam. It cannot seep into the fibers in a molten state due to the fabric’s dense structure.
Ironing
Suede that has a paraffin stain can be ironed through clean paper. Instead of ironing the fabric as is customary, in this instance the unclean area is applied to the iron’s surface for approximately three seconds while it is covered with a piece of cotton fabric. You risk ruining the material if you do the opposite or expose the hot iron to the fabric for an extended period of time. Use a napkin to wipe away the wax residue after heating.
You can employ more sophisticated techniques if these ones don’t work to solve the issue and the wax stain persists.
Ammonia, wine vinegar, gasoline
An ammonium hydroxide mixture (30 ml), wine vinegar (10 ml), and gasoline (50 ml) prepared as per this recipe can be used to remove paraffin stains from the artificial suede surface. To accomplish this, you must apply a cotton pad soaked in the mixture to the stain and let it sit for a minute after cleaning it with hard wax remover.
You can get dressed up and repeat this process multiple times until the stain is completely gone. To restore the structure of the pile material, wipe the affected area with a moist cloth and place it over steam.
"Hot" napkins
Using a hot iron, a paper napkin is heated and then placed over the stain to allow the wax particles to seep into the paper. Repeat this process multiple times, switching out the napkins. You can use more potent techniques if you were unable to get rid of the oily stain entirely.
How to remove wax from napped fabrics
It is advised to use turpentine to remove any wax droplets that may have landed on velour, velvet, or plush materials. Turpentine completely eliminates the substances present in wax. The clothing should be cleaned and then washed in warm water using a fabric-safe detergent.
How to remove wax drops from leather
Frozen wax easily removes from leather goods. If you slightly bend the leather in the contaminated area, it quickly crumbles, cracks, and falls off.
Cleaning fabrics with unstable coloring
Clothes dyed with unstable dyes cannot be cleaned with chemicals or dishwashing liquid.
The most common methods in this situation are freezing, mechanical cleaning, and non-aggressive materials.
Chalk
Hand wash or rub the hardened wax with your hands. The majority of the wax will liquefy and separate. An even layer of chalk should be applied to the stain, covered with a napkin, pressed down with a heavy object, and left for an hour. After that, brush off the chalk that has wax crumbs with a brush.
Talc, low temperature and a heavy book
This technique is comparable to the first, but talc or baby powder is used in place of chalk.
Pour one or more loose substances onto the oily stain that has been cleared of any frozen wax clumps. Place a cotton napkin over the top and use a heavy book to press it down. Take a 24-hour break. Once that’s done, take out the dried talc that has dirt particles in it and wash as normal.
Tips for cleaning wax from different types of fabric and different surfaces
- For woolen products, soaking with dishwashing detergents, gasoline, heat treatment with hot water or an iron is most often used.
- To clean chiffon, silk and other delicate fabrics – paraffin stains are treated with dishwashing detergents, ammonia (without prolonged exposure), special stain removers.
- For cotton – most often heat treatment with hot water, iron, steam, various folk remedies.
- For fur – only the freezing method.
- For suede and velor – ethyl or ammonia, treatment with a warm iron, gasoline.
- For synthetics – the method of treatment with a hot iron (only for fabric that can be ironed), hot water of an acceptable temperature, cleaning with gasoline, turpentine, acetone, in some cases alcohol.
- To remove wax from the floor or other hard surfaces, it is first frozen with an ice cube and then easily removed by prying with a blunt object. Greasy wax stains can be removed by wiping them with a cotton pad soaked in turpentine, ammonia or ethyl alcohol, gasoline.
- To clean candle wax from a carpet, you can use dishwashing liquid, hot water, or special carpet stain removers.
Fabric Type | Effective Products and Methods |
Cotton | Freeze the garment to harden the wax, then scrape it off gently. Use a paper towel and iron over the stain to absorb remaining wax. Wash with dish soap or laundry detergent. |
Wool | Place a cloth over the wax and use a warm iron to melt and absorb the wax. Treat any leftover stain with a vinegar solution, then wash according to the care label. |
Silk | Place the silk item in the freezer to harden the wax, then carefully chip it off. Use rubbing alcohol to treat the remaining stain and hand wash the fabric. |
Synthetics | Scrape off as much wax as possible, then apply a paper towel and a warm iron to absorb the rest. Use a stain remover or rubbing alcohol before washing the item. |
Denim | Freeze to harden the wax, then scrape it off. Place a paper towel over the stain and iron to absorb the wax. Wash the denim with heavy-duty detergent. |
Although it may appear difficult, removing wax from clothing is doable with the appropriate technique. To prevent any damage, it’s important to understand the kind of fabric you’re working with and select the appropriate technique.
Techniques such as freezing or ironing out the wax are effective for use on sturdy fabrics like cotton. More care is needed for delicate fabrics, such as the use of mild products like rubbing alcohol or specific stain removers.
While quick action is crucial, any product or method should always be tested on a small, hidden area first. This will guarantee that your cloth doesn’t deteriorate while you remove the wax.