Sticky wax stains can be removed easily and quickly from tablecloths or other materials without permanently ruining the fabric.
It happens to the best of hosts—right in the middle of a dinner party, an elegant candle becomes a drippy, waxy mess, staining the tablecloth in a matter of seconds. The first rule is not to let a little spill ruin the party. Laugh it off, remove any objects near the stain, and enjoy your dinner. Then follow these simple steps in the morning:
Materials Needed for Removing Wax
- Stained fabric
- Iron
- Ironing board or other flat surface
- Unprinted paper bags
Instructions for Removing Wax
- Be sure that the candle wax is completely dry before attempting to remove the stain.
- Don’t pick at the wax or try to remove it with your fingers, a knife or any other tool. This can cause the fabric to tear, permanently ruining the material.
- Gather several brown paper bags and tear them into large pieces. The pieces should be large enough to cover the stain completely, leaving at least 6 centimeters around the circumference of the stain. Make certain that the bags are plain, not printed, or the ink may be transferred to the fabric during ironing.
- Preheat the iron using its highest setting.
- Place a piece of paper bag on an ironing board or other flat surface. Place the piece of paper bag directly under the stained area of cloth. Then, place another piece of paper bag on top of the stain. The cloth should be “sandwiched” by the pieces of paper bag.
- Pressing firmly, carefully slide the iron back and forth over the paper bag. Within a few seconds, wax should begin seeping through the paper bag.
- Once the piece of paper bag is covered with wax, remove the bag and place two fresh pieces. Repeat the process as many times as is necessary until the wax has been removed completely.
- Be very careful not to overheat the fabric, or the cloth may burn, leaving an iron-shaped stain (a much worse problem than the candle wax!).
- Following the usual washing instructions, wash the tablecloth by hand or in the washing machine. Dry it in the dryer or allow it to drip dry.
Alternative Methods for Removing Wax
- Try substituting the paper bag with a cold, wet washcloth.
- Instead of using an iron to remove the wax, use boiling water. Place the cloth over a sink or bowl and pour the hot water over the stain. The wax will pour through the fabric and into the bowl. Repeat this process using fresh water until the wax has been removed.
The copyright of the article How to Remove Candle Wax from a Tablecloth in Home Management is owned by Leigh Hopkins. Permission to republish How to Remove Candle Wax from a Tablecloth in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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