Candlelight creates an environment that is hard to beat, but an unexpected tip or spill can leave a sticky, hard mess on your favourite rug. If you're really trying to figure out how to remove wax from carpet, take a deep breath. This is one of the most common things that happen at home, but if you stay calm and do the right thing, you can almost always fix it. No matter if it's a colourful drip from a candle on the dinner table or a big spill from a decorative pillar, the most important thing is not to scrub too hard, which can damage fibres for good. As your local experts, NYC Carpet Cleaners is sharing a tried-and-true, step-by-step guide for how to remove candle wax from carpet the right way.
What Is The Best Way To Get Candle Wax Out Of Carpet?
The simple rule for how to remove wax from carpet safely and effectively is to re-melt and absorb. Heat the wax until it melts again, and then quickly soak it up into new material. Some do-it-yourself guides recommend using a hair dryer or iron directly on the wax, but we don't recommend that without a protective barrier.
The Professional Step-by-Step Guide
This easy-to-follow instruction will show you how to remove wax from carpet safely and effectively.
Step 1:
-
Let It Cool: Wait until the wax has cooled and hardened all the way. Wiping liquid wax will make it smear.
-
Gently Scrape: Carefully scrape out most of the hardened wax using a dull implement like a butter knife, credit card, or spoon.
-
Start From Edges: Start at the borders and work your way in to keep the wax from getting on fibers that don't need it.
Step 2:
-
Absorption Barrier: Put an absorption barrier over the rest of the wax stain. You can use a clean white paper towel, plain butcher paper, or a brown paper bag.
-
Set Iron To Low: Set your iron to a low, dry heat and turn off the steam.
-
Gently Iron The Paper: As you iron the paper, move the iron around. The heat will melt the wax, and the paper will soak it up.
Step 3:
-
Cleaning Solution: You can use a mild cleanser, like a small amount of carpet stain remover or warm water with a little bit of dish soap (like Dawn), to clean it.
-
Blotting: Gently blot with a clean, white cloth. Don't scrub since it harms the fibers.
-
Rinsing: Rinse a cloth that has been moistened with plain water to wipe the area clean of any soap residue.
Step 4:
-
Fiber Pressing: Put a clean towel or a stack of dry paper towels over the spot and press down to absorb it up. Put a huge book on top of it for a while.
-
Fluffing: Fluff the fibers after the area is entirely dry. Use your fingertips or the edge of a spoon to bring the carpet's texture back.
Pro Tip:
Before you clean the whole carpet with how to remove wax from the carpet method, test the cleaning solution and heat method on a small area that isn't very noticeable to be sure the color won't fade.
When To Ask For Professional Help
The ironing method works pretty well for how to remove candle wax from a carpet, but sometimes you may need to call a professional to apply an alternative method for how to remove wax from carpet. You need professional tools if you've tried the methods above and the stain or waxy feeling is still there and you don't know how to remove wax from carpeting. Also, heating the carpet yourself can easily damage delicate carpets. To apply safe methods for how to get wax out of a rug, you need to trust a professional who has the right tools and skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's not a good idea. A hair dryer blows the liquid wax, which could push it deeper into the carpet or spread it out.
Plain butcher paper or white paper towels that haven't been printed on are great choices. Don't use pages from newspapers or magazines that have been printed on, because the ink can get on your carpet when it gets hot.
Yes, it is safe but always test the heat and your cleaning solution on a spot that isn't very visible first.
This usually means that there is still some wax left. Use the iron and paper method again, but make sure to use a new piece of paper every time.
Not at all. A lingering shadow is usually a small stain from dye or oil. This last bit can almost always be cleaned up with a professional hot water extraction (steam cleaning) method.
Restore Your Carpet, Not Replace It.
It's great to know how to remove wax from carpet, but in some situations, you need to call in a pro. If you have a lot of wax on the floor, a valuable rug, or a stain that won't come out, don't take the chance. We can bring your carpet back to life with our great hot water extraction and stain removal skills. Contact NYC Carpet Cleaners right now to get a free quote. We'll clean up the mess so you can enjoy your home again!