To get wax out of clothing, follow these effective steps:
- Let the wax dry and harden
Do not try to remove wax while it’s still warm, as this can spread it further into the fabric. Let the wax solidify completely, or speed this up by placing the garment in the freezer for about an hour
- Scrape off excess wax
Use a dull knife, spoon, or butter knife to gently scrape off as much hardened wax as possible. Be careful not to damage delicate fabrics-use a spoon for fragile materials like silk
- Heat and absorb the remaining wax
Place the stained area between two paper towels or blotting papers. Using a warm iron on a low, non-steam setting, press over the paper towels to melt the wax, which will be absorbed into the towels. Replace the towels as they become saturated and repeat until no more wax transfers
* Alternatively, if you don’t have an iron, use a hair dryer on a low heat setting to soften the wax and blot it with paper towels
- Soak and wash
Pretreat the stained area with detergent or a stain remover. Then soak the garment in hot water (temperature safe for the fabric) for at least an hour. After soaking, wash the clothing according to the care label instructions
- Optional: Use boiling water for stubborn wax
For tougher stains, you can dip the waxed area into boiling water mixed with baking soda to soften and remove wax residue. Be cautious with delicate fabrics and avoid prolonged exposure to boiling water to prevent damage
- Repeat if necessary
If the stain persists after washing, repeat the heating and washing process until the wax is fully removed
These steps work well for most types of wax stains on clothing, including candle wax and paraffin wax
