Accidentally spilling on the carpet is a common issue for carpet owners. For this reason, it is ideal to keep a tab of home remedies for the removal of carpet stains like those of candle wax. Wax stains may be annoying, but fortunately, they’re quite easy to get rid of. The materials you need are common household items, and the procedures are fairly simple to follow.
Read on to learn how to remove wax out of carpet effectively, plus general tips in removing any kind of stain. Proper care and cleaning of carpets will keep them in excellent shape for many years.
How to Get Wax Out of the Carpet
There are three ways to remove wax off the carpet. You may choose any of the following, depending on the materials you have at hand:
- Using wax removers
- Using a clothes iron
- By freezing
Using Wax Removers
There are products in the market that boast of removing even the most stubborn and dried-in stains. However, not all carpet cleaners are created equal, so be sure to check their label. See if it mentions that it can remove wax specifically because some could only erase surface stains.
Some of the carpet cleaners that can remove wax stains are:
- Tableau Stain Remover
- Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils Lubricant & Grease
- 1001 Carpet Stain Remover
- Rug Doctor 70034 Oxy Power Stain Remover
- HG Extra Strong Carpet & Upholstery Stain Spray
Once you have your wax remover of choice, follow the instructions on the label precisely for the best results.
Another essential reason to review the label is to check for substances that may trigger an allergic reaction.
Removing Wax Using an Iron
This is the most popular and effective way to remove wax stains off the carpet. It involves just six items and is done in six easy steps.
What you need:
- Blunt knife
- Vacuum cleaner
- Damp cotton cloth (towel or rag)
- Iron
- Carpet cleaner
- Clean, white towel
How to do it:
- Using a blunt knife, scrape off hardened wax. Be extra careful if you own a Berber carpet; you wouldn’t want to unravel the loops.
- Vacuum any loose, hardened wax. Repeat Step 1 if there are still some left. Scrape off as much wax as possible.
- Fold a damp towel and place it on the carpet just above the wax stain.
- Set the iron to the highest setting and place it over the towel.
- Press and hold for ten seconds until the heat draws out the wax from the carpet onto the towel. Repeat if necessary.
- You may need to re-dampen the towel when it dries completely, or replace it if it’s loaded with wax.
- Press and hold for up to thirty seconds if the wax is harder to come off.
- Spray some carpet cleaner on the discoloured area. For stubborn marks, use heavy-duty stain removers.
- Using a spoon, scrub carpet cleaner into the carpet. Darker patches from coloured candle wax on lighter-coloured carpets may require more scrubbing.
- Dab the affected area with a clean, white towel, and allow it to air dry.
Check out our detailed guide on How to Get Chewing Gum out of Carpet
Removing Wax by Freezing
If you don’t have an iron or carpet cleaner available, don’t worry. Carpets can be rid of wax by using ice cubes and rubbing alcohol.
What you need:
- Ice cubes, placed in a plastic bag
- Blunt knife
- Vacuum cleaner
- Two pieces of cloth
- Rubbing alcohol
How to do it:
- Apply ice to the wax until it is completely dry.
- When the wax is hardened, carefully scrape off using a dull knife. Be gentle so as not to damage the carpet fibres. Remove as much wax as you can in this step.
- Using a vacuum cleaner, remove the bits of hardened wax.
- You will notice wax stains on the area, especially with coloured candles. Take one piece of cloth, dip it into rubbing alcohol, and blot over the discoloured area.
- Use the other dry piece of cloth to dab the stained area. Repeat Step 4 if necessary.
For this method, remember to apply ice to the wax immediately. To minimize the marks, the goal is to dry the wax before it settles deeply into the fibre.
Check out our guide on How to Get Rid of Hair Dye Stain on Carpet
General Tips on Carpet Stain Removal
Depending on the kind of fabric, certain stains require a specific approach. Some may need professional help, while most of them you can DIY.
The general rule, though, for all kinds of stains, is to treat them immediately. Also, the key techniques for taking off unwanted blotches are dabbing and blotting. Both are associated with the act of lightly pressing downward, using an absorbent material, onto a surface to clean or dry it.
Rubbing, on the other hand, is highly discouraged as this will worsen the stain. It may also permanently damage the fabric. It would also be helpful to keep a tab on remedies and cleaning methods for different kinds of stains.
Remember to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gloves, when using commercial wax removers. These products may contain strong chemicals that could irritate the eyes or skin. Wax removers are also usually flammable, so ensure that the room is well-ventilated when handling such substances.
Check out out guide on How to Get Nail Polish out of Carpet with Hairspray
How to Prevent Wax From Spilling on Carpet
They say that prevention is better than cure, and this is true even for carpet maintenance. To keep wax from spilling onto the carpet, place lit candles on larger bowls or plates to avoid wax from spilling over. Always put them in a place where they will not be easily knocked over by children and pets.
Additionally, keep them away from anything that may catch fire, like curtains and tablecloths. Be mindful of lit candles, as leaving them unattended is proven to be disastrous. It’s better to put off any burning candle if you have to leave the room, even for a short while.
Check out our guide on How to Get Ink Stains out of Carpet
In Summary
When all else fails, you can opt for professional carpet cleaners. They have the equipment and the skills to remove wax efficiently. That’s if you’re willing to shell out a good amount of money. Luckily, wax stains are pretty manageable, and better yet, avoidable. Always take proper precautions so that you can keep your carpets in tip-top condition for longer.
