Never leave a candle burning because the melt can spread everywhere. The whole living room can be messy because of it! It seems impossible for you to remove the wax droplets. However, you can actually do several ways to get rid of them, depending on what items to clean and the tools you want to use. Choose the best method to remove wax drips and protect the interior of the room while carrying out the process.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Removing Wax by Freezing
Step 1. Scrape off as much wax as possible
If there's still a lot of melted wax stuck to it, scrape off as much of it as you can with a butter knife. If wax is stuck to clothes or fabrics, don't rub it against the lint so it won't be difficult for you to clean it later.
The freezing and scraping method of wax is suitable for use on bamboo furniture, wicker furniture, rattan furniture, plastic objects, steel, cast iron, vinyl, and marble
Step 2. Put the object in the freezer
Place a small object (such as a tablecloth) in the freezer to harden the wax. If your freezer is large and deep, you can freeze a large object, such as a wax stick, to remove the wax.
If the object can't be put in the freezer, wrap a towel in an ice cube or ice pack, then stick it to a candle to freeze it
Step 3. Wait for the wax to cool completely
Usually this takes about 30-60 minutes. This makes it easier to remove the wax and keeps it from spreading.
The sign that the wax has hardened is based on its color. If the color turns darker and opaque, the wax has cooled
Step 4. Scrape the wax with a butter knife
Place the butter knife parallel to the waxed object, then gently scrape it off. The wax will peel and come off as you move the knife. If the object being handled does not come into contact with metal, replace the knife with a plastic credit card.
If you want to remove the wax in the glass jar, pry the wax out with a butter knife and gently remove it from the container
Step 5. Wash the object to remove any remaining wax
On household items, you can use a small amount of all-purpose cleaner and scrub the area with a toothbrush. On fabric or clothing, treat the area with a stain-removing product, then put it in the washing machine.
- This is to remove residual oil from the wax.
- If you remove wax on furniture, wipe the affected area with a clean cloth.
Method 2 of 5: Removing the Wax with Heat
Step 1. Use heat to remove wax from the floor and carpet
Sometimes you can't put things in the freezer or refrigerate them to scrape off the wax. If this is the case, you can use heat.
- Never apply heat to objects made of glass (can break) and synthetic fabrics (can melt).
- Do not use heat to work with the fabric, as this can cause the wax to melt and spread.
Step 2. Melt the wax by heating it with a hairdryer
Set the hairdryer to the "hot" setting and aim directly at the wax. Position the hairdryer a few inches from the surface of the object so it doesn't burn. Do not move the dryer around the candle. It is much easier to wipe away wax that has accumulated in one place than to clean up melted wax that has spread all over the place.
It's a good idea to ask someone else for help when doing this. When you melt the wax, he can wipe it off with a cloth
Step 3. Wipe the wax with a tissue
Wax is difficult to remove from the towel or cloth used to wipe it. So, do not use towels that are still good. Do this using an old washcloth or kitchen paper. Carefully clean the melted wax, and try to wipe off all the melted wax at the same time.
You can also scrape the hot wax with a plastic card
Step 4. Use an all-purpose cleaner to remove any remaining residue
If any wax remains, remove it with a cleaning spray and sponge. Pour or spray an all-purpose cleaner on the area, then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth. If you are working on a fragile surface (such as a smooth wooden table), do not use abrasive cleaners or cloths to avoid damaging the surface.
If there is still wax on the surface, use the hairdryer again until all the wax is gone
Method 3 of 5: Removing Wax on Fabric
Step 1. Place a tissue on top of the wax, then iron the fabric
Set the iron to a medium heat setting and place a few paper towels over the wax. Gently rub the iron back and forth on the affected area to gradually melt the wax. When the tissue absorbs the wax, replace it with a new tissue until all the wax is gone.
- If you don't have a tissue, use a brown paper bag instead.
- Only use unadorned white paper towels and pictures so the color doesn't transfer to the fabric.
- This method can be applied to clothing, napkins, tablecloths, or towels.
Step 2. Rub the area with ice, then wash the clothes
Use an ice cube to rub the wax until it hardens. Next, scrape off the hardened wax with a butter knife, and discard. When most of the wax has been removed, wash the cloth to remove any remaining residue.
You may need to use a little bleach to get no more wax left
Step 3. Scrub the cloth with an upholstery cleaning product
Spray the cleaning product on the wax and let it dry. Wipe off the cleaning product and wax with a sponge or tissue, then re-spray the cleaning product. Keep doing this until the wax is completely gone.
If it is washable, wash the cloth to remove any remaining residue
Method 4 of 5: Removing Wax on Floors and Walls
Step 1. Use ice and a cleaning solution to treat the carpet
Put an ice cube in a plastic bag, then rub it on the wax until it hardens. Scrape the wax off the floor with a butter knife, then spray a carpet cleaning product on the area. Rub the area with a tissue to remove any remaining residue.
You can also wash the carpet with shampoo, then wait for it to dry before you vacuum it for a cleaner result
Step 2. Use mineral spirit to wipe off any wax residue adhering to the vinyl
If there is some wax on the vinyl floor, rub the wax with an ice cube wrapped in plastic until it hardens. Scrape off the wax with a plastic credit card (don't use a metal butter knife as this can scratch the surface), then wipe off the mineral spirit with a cotton swab to remove any residue.
Heat can warp the vinyl floor, and chemical solutions can change the color. We recommend that you use a simple, lightweight way to handle vinyl flooring
Step 3. Remove any remaining wax on the wooden floor by scrubbing it
Put an ice cube in a plastic bag, then rub it on the wax stuck to the floor until it hardens. Scrape off the wax with a credit card or blunt knife. When finished, use a chamois cloth to scrub the wood until the residue and scratches are gone.
Hardwood floors scratch easily so you have to be careful not to scratch the floor with a scraper
Step 4. Remove the wax from the tiles, bricks, cement, and deck using a detergent
Put an ice cube in a plastic bag and rub it on the wax to harden it. After that scrape the wax with a dull knife or spatula. When finished, mix the detergent with a little water, then use it to wipe the waxed area clean.
- Be careful, the tiles will be slippery if they are not dry!
- You can also apply this method to outdoor floors, such as on a deck or patio.
Method 5 of 5: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Heat the wax that has been sticking for a long time
If you find melted wax that is old and firmly attached, don't worry! You can use a hairdryer to heat it up and loosen it for cleaning. However, try to scrape it off as much as possible before you apply heat, just in case you can handle it with just this action.
Never heat objects that are very old and made of synthetic fibers
Step 2. Treat any smooth surfaces with the vinegar mixture
You should never use sharp tools to work with vinyl and wood as they can scratch the surface. To prevent scratching the floor, mix equal parts water and vinegar and dip a cloth in it. Use the cloth to wet the wax, then gently peel off the wax without damaging the surface of the object.
Vinegar also doesn't change the color of light-colored wood
Step 3. Mix water and alcohol to remove stubborn wax on the fabric
If you've scraped, washed, and scrubbed the wax that's stuck to the fabric, but the wax won't come off, mix rubbing alcohol and water in equal proportions. Wet the area gently, then rinse with cold water. Keep doing this until the wax is completely gone and the fabric looks new again.
If the fabric can be bleached safely, you can use bleach
Step 4. Dry clean the waxed linen
Linen is finely textured and does not withstand excessive rubbing. If there is still an oily residue on your favorite tablecloth or blouse, take the cloth to a dry cleaning service and ask them to clean it.
Washing and drying linen yourself at home can cause the fabric to twist. So, you should take the cloth to a professional
Step 5. Use the used wax from the cleaning to make something useful
If you get a lot of wax from cleaning, don't throw it in the trash. You can melt and pour it into a glass jar that has been wicked to make a new candle, use it to lubricate hinges or creaky doors, rub it against a skateboard, or use it to protect fancy letters.). Everything is up to you!
