Getting Wax Out of Carpet: 5 Tried and True Methods
Everyone loves the mood candles can bring to a space.
It takes just a few to create the right ambiance, but unfortunately, it only takes one candle spill to ruin your carpet.
The good news is — you don’t have to replace your rug or swear off of candles altogether.
We’ve compiled five tried-and-true methods to help you get the wax out of your carpet so you can light those taper candles again with confidence.
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How Do You Get Candle Wax Off Carpet and Upholstery?
Due to the fatty acid and resin acid composition of wax, it can be tricky to get wax out of carpet and upholstery. But depending on the type of material your fabric is made of, there are a few methods you can employ with the use of:
Heat
Friction
Enzymes; and
A few household materials
But, in some cases, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Let Tidy Up Portland! help. Our team of experts knows exactly how to get candle wax out of carpet.
While we’re taking care of your wax stain, why not have your home deep-cleaned or sign up for a regular home cleaning to keep your house in tip-top shape? Contact us today to get started.
But if you’ve got the materials and feel ready to tackle a little wax, keep reading to find our step-by-step directions on how to get candle wax out of carpet.
How to Get Wax Out of Carpet: 5 Tested Methods
#1: Add Heat
A simple way to get wax out of carpet requires the same method that got it there in the first place — heat.
Grab these materials from around your house and follow our easy steps.
What you’ll need:
Ice – A bag of ice, an ice pack, or even a bag of frozen vegetables will do.
A butter knife – Or a spoon, you can use any blunt edge tool you have available.
A barrier material – A terry cloth or paper towel, and a paper bag work best.
A vacuum – Optional
A heat source – An iron, steamer, or even a hair dryer can get the job done.
Now that you’ve got your materials, let’s get started:
Wrap your bag of ice in a terry cloth or paper towel and lay it directly on top of the wax spot on your carpet. This barrier material keeps the wax from getting wet. The cold will freeze and solidify the wax, making it easier to lift from the carpet fibers.
Now that the wax stain is frozen, use your butter knife to scrape off as much of the wax as possible.
Next, vacuum the small pieces of wax residue as you scrape them away from the carpet.
Now it’s time to prepare what’s left of the stain for heat. If you’re using a terry cloth towel, lightly dampen it with water, fold it in half and place it over the stain. If you’re using a paper towel or paper bag, simply lay it on top of the wax. Your barrier material is what the wax will adhere to when heated.
With your iron on medium heat, press the iron on top of your barrier material and into the wax stain. The heat will permeate through the barrier and melt the wax which will transfer onto your barrier material. Repeat this step until the wax is gone. You may need to increase the heat of your iron or use the hot steam button to flash higher heat, but be careful not to melt the synthetic fibers of your rug.
#2: Scrape It Off
If you don’t have access to a heat source, the scraping method can still help you remove most of the wax stain on your carpet.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Ice – Any frozen source will work.
A barrier material – A terry cloth or paper towel will act as a barrier for your ice.
A scraping tool – A blunt edge of any kind still works here.
Scissors – Optional
A vacuum – Optional
The process:
Freeze the wax by placing a bag of ice wrapped in a paper towel on top of the stain. It’s still important to keep the wax dry so don’t put the bag of ice directly on top of the wax without material to soak up the condensation as the ice melts.
Once your stain is frozen, gently scrape as much of the wax stain off the carpet as you can. Be careful if you have Berber carpet, the loops tend to fray easily. If you're lucky, you'll be able to remove all the wax without any fraying.
If you are left with a small fuzzy area, you can easily trim off any fuzz by laying your scissors flat on the carpet as you push down lightly on the pivot of the scissors and cut.
After you’ve scraped the wax off, run your vacuum over the carpet a few times to pick up any remaining residue.
#3: Use Commercial Cleaners
Heat and scraping are the best methods to remove candle wax from fabric.
And if you had a run-in with dyed wax stains on your carpet, you may want to combine those methods with the use of a cleaning solution to get the best results.
Depending on the severity of the spill, spraying and blotting a commercial cleaning solution just might do the trick.
Be sure to use a clean white cloth to avoid making things worse by transferring dye from your cloth to the carpet.
Many commercial carpet cleaners that can remove wax may contain a water-soluble solvent called Butoxyethanol. Butoxyethanol has a very characteristic odor and has been deemed dangerous by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) so check the ingredients listed on your cleaning solution.
#4: Create a Natural Solution
If you prefer a natural solution to help remove the stain, combine two ounces of white vinegar with six ounces of water for dilution.
Before you apply the mixture, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the stain.
Using a spray bottle, saturate the baking soda until it dissolves.
Place a clean cloth on top to absorb the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
Since wax is oil-based, you can also try using a solvent like rubbing alcohol and follow the same steps.
#5: Dab With Dish Soap
Once you’ve got most of the wax removed you may still be left with a little colored stain from the dye. In this instance, we recommend dabbing the stubborn stain with a white cloth and solution of one ounce of a clear surfactant like dish soap and 12 ounces of water.
It’s important not to substitute colored dish soap, as you risk adding to the stain.
Work your way from the outer edges towards the center to avoid spreading the stain.
Should You Attempt to Get Candle Wax Out of Carpet Yourself?
Most of the materials you need to clean wax out of carpet are commonly found around the house.
If the spill is manageable and the damage doesn’t seem too overwhelming, you can attempt to remove the stain yourself.
But you don’t want to make the stain worse than it started.
That’s why it’s important to freeze and harden the wax to ensure it doesn't spread any further before trying to remove it.
You should also be aware of the type of material your carpet is made of.
Generally, rugs and carpets are made from synthetic and natural fibers.
If your carpet is made of nylon, you’re in luck. Nylon is one of the most common synthetic materials and is known to be extremely durable and resistant to wear and tear, so it will be easier to remove the stain.
Natural fibers like wool may be more difficult to clean because they tend to be more absorbent.
Tidy Up Portland!: The Cleaning Professionals Your Carpet (and Home) Needs
It’s our priority at Tidy Up Portland! to clean your carpet and home using cleaning supplies that are…
Green
Eco-friendly; and
Toxic-free
… so you can be sure your home remains natural and safe for you and your pets.
Contact us to learn more about how we can remove the wax stains from your carpet at an affordable rate, or book directly via our online booking portal.
