How to Remove Spilled Wax From Fabric

You should never remove wax from fabric by scraping.

A plethora of waxes and additives can give wax color, scents and long-life capabilities. When you scrape wax off fabric, you break down the structural integrity of the fabric. Scraping normally will not allow you to get the entire wax residue off the fabric. When you launder fabric with wax still on the fabric, the wax will set into the fabric, making removal nearly impossible because you push the wax into the fabric fibers.

Things You'll Need

• Ironing board
• Brown paper bag
• Scissors
• Iron

Instructions

1. Place the fabric on the ironing board so that the wax spills are exposed.

2. Cut the paper bag down the sides until it is one flat piece of brown paper. Choose a bag with no ink or patterns on it so that the patterns do not transfer to the fabric. Brown paper lunch bags are the best option.

3. Place the brown paper bag on top of the wax stain and heat the iron to warm, about medium heat.

4. Place the warm iron directly over the paper bag. Iron for 30 seconds and then pick up the iron.

5. Fold the paper bag back to reveal the wax you lifted from the fabric. Place an unused portion of the bag back on the fabric and repeat the process until you fully remove the wax. If a wax-covered part of the bag touches the fabric, the wax will transfer back on to the fabric.

6. Launder the fabric as usual.

References

• Beeswax Candle Company: Candle Wax Removal Tips