Spilled candle wax can leave unsightly stains on your favorite clothes, but fear not! Removing wax is definitely achievable with a little know-how and the right approach. This post will walk you through the steps to effectively remove wax stains from your garments, restoring them to their pristine condition. Keep reading!
CAN WAX BE WASHED OUT OF CLOTHES?
While washing can often remove wax stains, swift action is key to prevent the wax from spreading and setting deeply into the fabric. Before tossing your garment in the washer, pretreating the area is crucial. This step involves removing as much excess wax as possible, and it typically takes around 30 minutes to complete, not 3 hours. This revised statement emphasizes the importance of pretreatment while providing a more realistic timeframe for the process.
HOW TO GET WAX OUT OF CLOTHES STEP BY STEP
Before diving into the specifics of wax removal, remember to always consult the care label on your garment. Different fabrics may have varying tolerances for heat and cleaning solutions, so following the manufacturer’s instructions ensures you don’t damage your clothing further. With that in mind, here’s a general guide to pretreating, washing, and drying clothes with wax stains:
Supplies
- Paper towels
- Stain treatment or detergent
- Hot water
- Oxygen bleach (optional)
Tools
- Spoon or butter knife
- Iron
STEP 1: PRETREAT FABRIC
Patience is key! Resist the urge to tackle the wax while it’s warm as this will only spread the stain further. Once the wax has completely dried and hardened, use a blunt knife or the dull edge of a spoon to carefully scrape away as much excess wax as possible. Alternatively, you can freeze the garment to harden the wax further, making it easier to remove. Remember, gentle scraping is crucial to avoid damaging the fabric.
STEP 2: IRON THE WAX STAIN
Position your clothing with the stained side facing down on a paper towel. Place another paper towel on top. Employ a low-setting iron to press the paper towel, extracting as much wax from the fabric as you can. Subsequently, swap the waxy paper towels with fresh ones and iterate the procedure until the wax ceases to transfer onto the paper towels.
STEP 3: SOAK THE ITEM FOR AT LEAST 1 HOUR
Apply a stain treatment or use a detergent on any remaining stained areas prior to washing, using approximately two cups of the hottest water deemed safe for the garment as per the care label instructions. Allow the item to soak for a minimum of one hour. Following the soaking period, thoroughly rinse the item under warm running water, ensuring complete removal of any dish soap residue to prevent excessive suds in the washing machine. Feel free to handle your clothes without concern for wrinkles, especially with materials like polyester that are both wrinkle-free and stretch-resistant, allowing for more comfortable manipulation.
STEP 4: MACHINE WASH
For optimal outcomes, launder your item in the washing machine, opting for a heavy soil setting cycle available on certain Maytag brand washers. Choose the warmest water temperature advised on the care label and utilize your standard laundry detergent. Optionally, enhance the cleaning efficacy by incorporating a washer pretreatment before initiating the wash cycle.
Should you observe any lingering color from the wax on the fabric, consider adding a small amount of oxygen bleach to the load before starting the cycle to aid in eliminating the staining.
STEP 5: LINE DRY & REPEAT IF NECESSARY
Heat from a dryer will set any stain left behind that you can’t see while the fabric is wet. If the stain remains after it dries, repeat the steps as many times as necessary. After washing, opt for line drying your item to avoid setting any remaining unseen stains with heat from a dryer.
HOW DO I GET WAX OUT OF FABRIC WITHOUT AN IRON?
If you lack an iron, an alternative method to eliminate wax from clothing involves using a hair dryer. Begin by activating the hair dryer at its lowest heat setting, directing the heat towards the wax-stained area, and blotting away the excess with a white paper towel. Repeat this process until you’ve successfully removed the maximum amount of wax.
HOW DO I GET WAX OUT OF JEANS?
To address candle wax stains on jeans, initiate the process by scraping the dried wax using a utensil like a spoon or a blunt knife. Subsequently, place a thick paper, like a brown paper bag, over the stain and gently rub it with a clothing iron on a low heat setting. Repeat this procedure as needed for persistent stains.
DOES VINEGAR REMOVE CANDLE WAX?
When grappling with persistent stains, the inclination to turn to household remedies like vinegar may arise. However, to minimize the risk of clothing damage, it is advisable to first attempt the removal of wax stains through repeated scraping and washing before considering alternative methods.
WILL RUBBING ALCOHOL REMOVE WAX?
As for using rubbing alcohol to eliminate wax, despite its efficacy in tackling various stains, it poses a risk of discoloration, often manifesting as dyeing or bleaching on clothing and fabrics. To safeguard your laundry items from potential permanent damage, it is recommended to steer clear of harsh chemicals and substances.
FAQ
1. Does baking soda remove wax?
Yes. Functions as a natural abrasive for eliminating wax and surface coatings commonly administered to fruits for preservation purposes.
2. Does salt remove wax?
Yes. Salt can act as an abrasive agent, aiding in the removal of wax from surfaces. Its coarse texture helps break down and lift wax, making it useful in certain cleaning applications.
3. How do you get wax out of towels?
Ideally, use a warm iron or blow dryer to soften the wax. Sandwich the waxy area between two paper towels and press with the warm iron, causing the melted wax to transfer onto the paper towel.
CONCLUSION
By following these steps, you’ve successfully tackled the majority of the wax stain. However, depending on the type of wax and the fabric, a faint residue might still be present. If the stain persists after following these steps, consider seeking professional cleaning services. Remember, patience and following the proper techniques are key to successfully removing wax stains and restoring your favorite clothes.
