How to Get Candle Wax Out of Your Carpet: Three Easy Steps
We love candles. Besides the fact that they smell amazing, they make a home feel cozy, and they can add a little romance to your home — there comes a moment when a stray elbow or wrong move sends them dropping onto the carpet, and then you're left with a special kind of waxy mess.
Candle wax can be a unique problem for carpets, and wax requires unique methods to remove. In this article, we'll explore with you some ways to get candle wax out of carpet in 3 easy steps.
If a wax or its waxy stain persists beyond your efforts — they can be stubborn that way — or you are worried that you may ruin a costly carpet, I'm here to help. My Pro Cleaner is here to help you solve the problem. Just give us a call.
Three Steps for Removing Wax From Carpet With a Cold Method
You may have heard of using an iron or blow dryer to get candle wax out of a carpet, but some carpet fibers are more sensitive to direct heat than others. For example, if your carpet is made of wool, too much heat can melt the threads, so you may opt for the cold method instead.
1. Get Some Ice
To remove candle wax from carpet using cold, start by making an ice pack by filling a sealable plastic bag with ice. If the outside of the bag gets wet, be sure to dry it off or wrap it in a paper towel so that you don't pass the moisture into the wax stain.
2. Cool the Wax
Press the ice pack onto the wax for a few minutes. You can protect your fingers from the uncomfortable chill of the ice with a washcloth or paper towel. This cold application step will harden the wax — making the next step more effective.
3. Scrape the Wax Off the Carpet Fibers
When the wax is cool to the touch, use a butter knife to scrape it from the carpet. Be sure to use a dull knife for this step to avoid causing permanent damage by slicing carpet fibers. Keep a vacuum handy to suck up loose candle wax as you go.
Three Steps for Removing Wax From Carpet With Heat
If you have a carpet made out of nylon or another durable synthetic material, here are three simple steps on how to get wax out of carpet using heat.
1. Dampen a Paper Towel
Grab a full paper towel sheet, get it damp, and fold it in half. It will serve as a protective layer between the heat source and your carpet and soak up the wax. You may opt for a clean, damp cloth; but paper towels can be more convenient because you can throw them away when you're done.
2. Heat the Wax
If the stain is sizable, you may decide to scrape it to remove the large chunks before using any heat. Then, place the damp paper towel over the wax stain. Using an iron (or a hairdryer for more sensitive carpet fibers), apply heat for about thirty seconds.
3. Soak it Up
As the wax melts, it will soak into the paper towel. You will need to shift and replace the paper towel as you go to soak up as much of the wax as you can. Repeat these three steps until you soak up all the candle wax.
Other Tips on How to Get Candle Wax Out of Carpet
If the offending candle is a bright color, it may leave a stain even after all the wax is gone. Try one of the following methods to remove the rest of the stain.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
The old vinegar and baking soda recipe is an excellent option for removing stubborn stains for your carpet. Start by putting a small heap of baking soda onto the stain. Let it sit for a minute or two, then slowly pour vinegar over the baking soda until it has all dissolved.
Dab the spot dry using a either a clean white towel, a white paper towel, or a cotton swab. Start from the outside edges and work your way inward to avoid spreading the stain.
Rubbing Alcohol
Another option is using rubbing alcohol to dissolve the stain. Put some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, and dilute using water to one part alcohol and three parts water.
Spray the stained area generously, and leave it alone for roughly 30 minutes. Then, use the same blotting method as above to dry the carpet.
Professional Carpet Cleaning
If you're dealing with a particularly stubborn wax stain that has managed to stick around through all of these first-aid steps, please feel free to call me at My Pro Cleaner. I have professional tools and solutions that can handle most stubborn wax stains in your carpet.
My Pro Cleaner Carpet Cleaning in Houston
My Pro Cleaner is a top-rated locally-owned-and-operated carpet cleaning company in Houston and Spring Texas areas. We believe in providing a top-quality and complete cleaning service. We have a proven track record, always provide friendly customer service, and we are proud to support our local Texas economy here in Spring, Houston, The Woodlands, and surrounding Texas cities and communities.
If you have any questions about this article, or anything related to cleaning carpet, upholstery, tile and grout, and maintaining a healthy home, please feel free to give me a call, and let's talk!
