Candlelit dinners create ambiance, but dripping wax can be a frustrating consequence. Fortunately, removing candle wax from a tablecloth doesn't have to be a cause for alarm. With the right techniques, you can almost always clean the wax and residue and reuse your linens.
Before diving into removal methods, consider prevention. Table decorations for an elegant event or romantic dinner wouldn’t look complete without an assortment of candles. Preventing dripping candle wax can be as simple as choosing dripless candles, which are available from many retailers. Beeswax candles are naturally dripless. One way to achieve this is to place any candle holders on top of a mirror. Another option is to limit the chances of dripping wax.
The first, most immediate task is to let the candle wax cool and harden completely. Frozen candle wax is easier to remove by scraping it off than softened wax. To hasten the cooling process, you can ice the waxy area on the cloth with ice cubes in a plastic bag placed directly on top of the stain. Alternatively, fold up the tablecloth with the waxy section exposed and place it in the freezer for about 45 minutes or until the wax has fully hardened, or for a few minutes if you want to hasten the cooling process. Placing napkins in the freezer can be more easily achieved because of their size, rather than applying ice directly to the pieces.
Once the wax has hardened and cooled, you’ll have an easier time breaking it up so it either crumbles or slides off the fabric-instead of spreading and making an even bigger stain. Once the candle wax has hardened, gently use a dull knife to lift and remove the larger chunks. Hold on tight to the soiled section of fabric, and with your other hand, use a butter knife or credit card to make a quick scoop of the accumulated wax. Scraping off wax from your tablecloth doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Use a plastic scraper or credit card edge on stone tabletops. For any stubborn residue that remains after using the dull knife method, consider popping your tablecloth into the freezer for about 30 minutes. After most of the wax has been chipped away, check if there are any leftover stains on your tablecloth.
You’ll often see an oily stain on your fabric once the wax itself is removed. If your cloth is light-colored and there’s still residue remaining from the candle’s oil, which is likely since candle wax is an oil-based stain, consider spreading sea salt on the stained area. “Avoid using Kosher salt as it may be too abrasive and might end up breaking up the fibers of a tablecloth, especially if this is a fine cloth,” Instead, use a finer grind, like table salt. How to draw the oily stain out of the tablecloth: the easiest way is by using a paper bag and an iron.
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Several methods employ heat to remove the remaining wax.
The iron method steps it up with a bit more heat to tackle wax on tablecloths. Place one towel under the garment and the other over the piece of wax. Place a brown paper bag over the wax stain and lightly iron over it. Cover the stained area with a clean paper bag, also placing one under it. Press the bag between a hot iron and the stained cloth, which should activate absorption of the oil by the paper. Keep the iron moving slowly over the stain. When you’re done, the majority of the wax will be removed and you’ll be left with an oily residue. Once enough wax has been absorbed by your towel, lift it to check progress. Move the bag to cover the stained area again with clean paper and apply the hot iron again.
The blow dryer method stands out as a top choice for cleaning up candle wax spills. Grab your hair dryer and set it on medium heat to gently warm the wax spill. Begin heating the wax with the blow dryer, holding it several inches away from the cloth to prevent scorching. Press a layer of paper towels gently over the softened wax. Use a hairdryer on medium heat to soften the wax. Once most of the candle wax is gone, use more heated air from the blow dryer on any remaining stains. Inspect your tablecloth for any lingering marks.
For hard surfaces like granite or marble, boiling water can work wonders. Boil enough water to fully submerge the stained portion of your tablecloth. Stretch the stained area of the tablecloth over a bowl and secure it tightly. Pour the hot water over the wax stain slowly, letting it penetrate and heat up the wax. Carefully drain away the hot water and floating wax. While the boiling water method is great for melting away wax.
For stubborn candle wax stains on your tablecloth, reach for nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. “Since candle wax is an oil-based stain, you will need a solvent that dissolves oil,” explains Miller. “There are a number of solvents that can do the trick, but only a few are lying around your house. The most typical are acetone (found in nail polish remover) and isopropyl alcohol (used in rubbing alcohol).” Begin by gently dabbing a cotton swab dipped in acetone or rubbing alcohol onto the affected area. Place the item stain-side down on a folded towel. Using a cotton swab, dab nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol onto the stain and watch the oily, waxy stain melt away. Continue to do this until the stain is removed. Blot up any residue. Before tossing the tablecloth into your laundry machine, blot any remaining residue with more of the nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. If you’ve used nail polish remover, steam the stain to remove traces of acetone from the fabric.
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Another option to treat remaining waxy stains is to combine rubbing alcohol and water in a mix of one-part alcohol and two-parts water. This should be applied to the stain in small amounts following each with blotting. Allow fabric to dry naturally for either cleaning method.
Simply toss the cloth in the wash. Just don’t forget to follow the cleaning instructions on the label. Launder the tablecloth, following the laundry care directions for that particular fabric. Sometimes caring for fabric, like a burlap table runner, is more difficult than washable polyester blends or cotton.
After you’ve managed to harden and scrape off the bulk of the candle wax, tackling any lingering colored stains is the next step. Mix one part vinegar with one part water for colored wax stains that may have left a mark. Apply this vinegar mixture directly onto the stained area of your tablecloth or wood furniture. Once saturated, rub gently with a clean cloth to lift off those colorful streaks without harming your fabric or wood surfaces.
Applying gentle pressure and only using warm heat is crucial when dealing with burlap, jute, or other delicate fabric.
Let’s get what NOT to do out of the way first. Don’t ever use acetone on modacrylic, acetate or triacetate because it will dissolve the fabric.
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Transitioning from table linens to furniture, let’s shift our focus to upholstery-a common victim of candle wax spills. As we shift our focus from upholstery to rugs and carpeting, the approach to wax removal needs to adapt. Removing candle wax from wooden surfaces requires a gentle touch to avoid damaging the finish.
Begin by addressing wax spills on upholstery promptly to prevent the wax from setting deep into the fabric. If you encounter a fresh spill, place an ice cube over the wax to hasten its solidification. Once the wax hardens, use a dull knife or a plastic card to gently scrape off as much as possible. For any remaining wax residue, lay a brown paper bag or absorbent cloth over the affected area. Use an iron set on a low heat setting-without steam-to lightly go over the paper or cloth. Mix one part vinegar with one part water for colored wax stains that may have left a mark.
Begin by gently scraping off as much of the hardened candle wax as you can with a dull knife or credit card. Next, place a brown paper bag or a clean cloth over the remaining wax stain on your rug. With an iron set on low heat, carefully press over the top. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth and dab at any oily residue that might have been left behind after removing the main wax spill. If you’re dealing with a colored candle wax spill, mix one part vinegar with two parts water and lightly blot the area after you’ve removed most of the solidified wax.
If you find that a stain is impossible to remove yourself, or the removal seems tricky, you can always take it to a professional.
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