How do you remove dried wax?

Wax stains can be frustratingly stubborn to remove. Over time, wax can dry and harden on surfaces, making it even more difficult to clean. The good news is that with a little bit of effort, you can get rid of dried wax stains and restore your surfaces.

What causes wax to stain?

Wax stains occur when wax comes into contact with a surface and is not immediately cleaned up. Sources of wax that commonly cause stains include:

• Candles
• Crayons
• Lip balm
• Furniture polish
• Car wax
• Wax paper

When hot wax makes contact, it immediately cools and hardens. The longer the wax sits, the more difficult it becomes to remove. Over time, the wax can also oxidize and change color, resulting in a stain.

How to remove fresh wax

It’s always best to address wax spills right away before the wax has a chance to dry. Here are some tips for cleaning up fresh wax:

• Let hardened wax cool completely before attempting to remove it.
• Use a plastic card or dull knife to scrape off any excess hardened wax.
• Place a brown paper bag or paper towel over the wax spill and iron it with a warm iron. The heat will melt the wax, allowing it to absorb into the paper.
• For small amounts of wax on washable fabrics, immediately place the item in the freezer. Once hardened, scrape off the wax with a dull knife. Then wash the fabric in warm, soapy water.
• Use a wax removal solvent designed for the surface. Test first in an inconspicuous area.

Getting to fresh wax spills right away prevents staining and makes cleanup much easier.

How to remove dried wax from different surfaces

Once wax has dried and hardened, removing it becomes more involved. The technique you use will depend on the type of material or surface you need to clean. Here are some tips for removing dried wax from common surfaces:

Carpet and Upholstery

• Place a clean paper bag or paper towel over the wax stain.
• Run a warm iron over the paper to heat the wax and transfer it from the carpet fibers.
• Replace the paper as needed until no more wax transfers.
• Use a small amount of carpet cleaner on any remaining staining and blot with clean towels.

Wood Furniture

• Scrape away any excess wax buildup with a dull knife.
• Rub the wax stain with an ice cube until wax flakes off.
• Use a hair dryer to heat the remaining wax, wiping frequently with a clean cloth.
• Apply a small amount of furniture polish to remove any wax residue.

Tile, Stone, and Laminate Floors

• Cover the wax stain with paper towels.
• Use a clothes iron on a warm setting to heat the wax. Replace towels as needed.
• Scrub the area with a nylon scouring pad and mild cleaner designed for the floor type.
• Rinse the floor thoroughly.

Walls and Painted Surfaces

• Gently scrape excess wax off the surface with a plastic card.
• Place a paper towel over the wax and apply heat with a hair dryer to melt and absorb wax.
• Clean the area with a warm, soapy water solution using a soft sponge or cloth.
• Use a nail polish remover containing acetone for any remaining wax residue. Test first.

Fabrics and Clothing

• Scrape off excess hardened wax.
• Place the stained fabric between sheets of waxed paper. Iron the fabric on a warm setting until wax is absorbed by the paper.
• Follow up with a pretreat laundry stain remover and wash the fabric in warm, soapy water.
• For delicate fabrics, have the item professionally dry cleaned.

Tips for removing dried wax

Removing dried wax stains can take patience and persistence. Keep these tips in mind:

• Always test cleaning methods first in an inconspicuous area to ensure it’s safe for the material.
• Heat is very effective at melting and lifting away wax. Just be careful with irons and heat on delicate surfaces.
• Use dull plastic cards or utensils to avoid damaging surfaces as you scrape away excess wax.
• Repeat the heating and blotting process until no more wax transfers onto the paper or cloth.
• Don’t let wax harden again before wiping the residue away.
• If needed, use solvents specifically designed to cut through wax, like acetone nail polish remover.
• For heavy wax staining, it may take several rounds of applying heat, scraping, blotting, and cleaning before the stain is gone.

Homemade wax removers

You can also make your own homemade wax removing solutions with ingredients you likely already have at home:

Solution	How to Make	How to Use
Vinegar Solution	Mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar.	Wipe solution onto wax stain. Allow to sit for 30 minutes before blotting. Repeat as needed.
Baking Soda Paste	Add just enough water to baking soda to form a paste. Adjust consistency as needed.	Use a soft cloth to rub paste onto wax stain. Allow to dry completely. Wipe clean with warm, soapy water.
Essential Oils	Dilute 15-20 drops of lemon, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil into 2 cups water.	Dip cloth into solution and blot onto wax stain. Test first before using oils on delicate surfaces.

When to call for professional help

For most wax stains, consistent effort with heat application, scraping, blotting, and cleaning should do the trick. However, for very thick, dried-on wax or wax ground into delicate surfaces like suede or satin, it’s best to have it professionally cleaned.

Contact a reputable professional cleaning service if:

• The wax stain covers a very large area.
• The wax has penetrated a delicate or expensive material.
• You’ve tried all options and methods with no success.
• The wax stain is on an antique or valuable item.

Professionals have industrial strength tools, like commercial steamers, as well as strong solvents that can eliminate wax while protecting underlying surfaces. They can safely handle designer furniture, antiques, carpets, drapes and more.

How to prevent wax stains

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to wax stains. Here are some tips to avoid wax mishaps in the first place:

• Use candleholders that catch dripping wax and keep candles away from surfaces.
• Trim wicks to 1⁄4” before burning to prevent sooting and large melt pools.
• Keep candles away from drafts that can cause rapid, uneven burning and dripping.
• Place washable covers or plastic tablecloths under candles.
• Store candles, crayons, and wax items away from heat sources.
• Clean up spills from fragrance warmers before the wax cools and hardens.
• Avoid using wax polishes and crayons directly on surfaces like wood and painted walls.
• Be very careful with waxing projects, like making batik fabrics.

Conclusion

Dried wax stains can be a nuisance, but with some perseverance and the right techniques you can get them out of carpets, off furniture, and removed from other surfaces. Heat is your best friend when it comes to melting wax for removal. Be patient and persistent, testing first when needed, as wax can take several treatments before it’s completely gone. For more severe wax situations, call in a professional cleaning service that has industrial strength tools and solutions. And be proactive by taking steps to prevent wax from staining in the first place.