Are you the type of person who enjoys the aroma of a candle in their home? If so, then you probably have problems sometimes having wax residue in some places in your home. Don’t know what to do? We got you covered, we will teach you how to remove candle wax!
I know what you’re thinking, just scrape it off the surface, right? How I wish! However, it is not that simple. How you remove candle wax matters from what surface it is on.
Whether it may be on glass, wood, or even on a carpet, the way you remove it matters. You have to think about the type of material you are also dealing with, not just the wax. Good for you, we will teach you how to remove candle wax from different types of surfaces.
Wooden Surface
The first thing you should do is to allow the wax to cool before using it. Allow the dripping wax to completely cool and set before attempting to remove it. In a pinch, place an ice cube in a plastic food storage bag and set it on the wax for 10 to 20 seconds.
The next step is to gently scrape it away. Never use a metal scraper or the edge of a credit card to remove the solidified wax from the surface. Use a light hand and maintain the edge of the plastic flat on the wood surface to avoid gouging.
Then, the loose wax should be removed. Pick up the loose chunks of wax with a soft cloth or your fingertips. Lastly, polish and clean the wooden surface.
Dip a delicate cloth in a combination of one part distilled white vinegar and two parts water. It is to remove any remaining residues of wax or stains from colored wax on light wood surfaces. Wring out the fabric well so that it is only slightly moist.
Wipe the surface in the direction of the grain of the wood. As the wax is transferred, move to a clean region of the fabric. Buff the surface with a soft, dry cloth or add a little layer of furniture polish to finish.
Vinyl Flooring
Candle wax poured on a vinyl floor creates an unsightly mess that, if left unchecked, may worsen. Because the wax accumulates dust and debris, the mark may grow more visible over time. To avoid harming or discoloring your floor, clean up the wax spill with the gentlest means possible, such as scraping.
So, how to remove candle wax on vinyl flooring? Hard wax removal from vinyl can sometimes be as easy as picking at it with your fingernail. Fill a zippered sandwich bag with ice cubes.
Close the bag if the wax is slightly malleable to the touch. Place the ice bag over the wax for at least five minutes. Do this before removing the bag and picking at the wax with your fingertips.
If you’re having trouble removing the wax, try slicing below it with the edge of a piece of cardboard. Scrape up any tenacious wax with the bowl of a plastic spoon. Keep a spare piece of paper ready to place wax fragments and shavings on before disposing of them.
Carpet
The next thing we will tackle is how to remove candle wax on a carpet. First, scrape away any excess wax. Apply a moist, lint-free white cloth over the wax and iron on medium heat; the wax will stick to the fabric.
You can use an ice pack to freeze the wax. After that, break the frozen clump; you can use any blunt object. You can make do with the handle of a kitchen tool. Before the particles soften, vacuum them.
Fabric Sofa
Allow the wax to solidify if it has spilled. Fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and place it over the stain to accelerate the process. If you try to wipe the wax away before it hardens, you will merely spread it about, causing a worse problem.
Once the wax has solidified, remove as much of it as possible. Any dull, flat-edged object, such as a butter knife or spatula, can be used for this. Simply chip away at the wax until you’ve removed as much as you can.
Apply an absorbent substance, such as a paper towel, to the stain. Set your iron on medium heat and iron over the paper towel carefully. The paper towel absorbs the wax as it melts due to the heat from the iron.
Replace the paper towel as soon as you notice the wax absorbed into it. It will avoid accidentally pressing the wax back onto the sofa. Repeat using new sheets of paper towel until the stain has disappeared.
Leather Furniture
Remove the extra solidified wax with a dull, flat-edged implement, like you would for a fabric sofa. However, if you notice the spills before the wax sets, you can attempt to soak up the extra wax with a paper towel. To avoid spreading the wax about, dab it up rather than wiping it.
Regarding discoloration, you can use cornstarch or unscented talcum powder. It works similarly to how a paper towel works on a fabric sofa. However, never use a paper towel and iron method on a leather sofa since it might permanently damage the leather.
Conclusion on How to Remove Candle Wax
It is not that simple to remove candle wax from any type of surface. There are things you should consider like the material it is on to avoid ruining it in the process. So the next you spill candle wax somewhere in your apartment or home, keep these things in mind!