When the mood strikes and you want to light a candle, there’s nothing better than a romantic evening in. Even if you don’t live alone, lighting a few candles around your home can give it an instant uplifting vibe. Unfortunately, anything that involves fire also comes with potential risks.If you spill a drop of hot wax, or worse, the entire melted wax from a candle, it can have disastrous effects on your carpets, bedding, and furniture. The good news is that removing melted wax from fabrics and furniture isn’t nearly as difficult as it sounds. In this blog post we will cover everything you need to know about removing melted wax from clothing, carpets, and furniture to keep these tragedy from happening again.
What is Candle Wax?
Before we get into how to remove it, let’s start with what it actually is. The majority of candles are made from paraffin wax, which is a hydrocarbon that is derived from crude oil. It’s also what we use to make motor oil, and is therefore highly flammable. The color and scent of the candle will determine the type of wax used to make it, which is why you can buy candles in almost any color and scent you can imagine. You’ll often see candle wax referred to as “paraffin,” which is the most common type of candle wax. However, there are other types of wax used in candle-making, including soy, beeswax, and stearin.
How to Remove Candle Wax from Clothes
If you accidentally spill or drop a melted candle onto your clothes, you might think that you’re going to have to throw them away. This isn’t always the case though. If you’re quick enough, you should be able to remove the wax with some warm water before it has a chance to soak into the fabric and stain it. The first thing you’re going to want to do is scrape as much of the wax off as possible before you jump in the shower. This will help prevent the wax from being pushed further into the fabric as you scrub it with water. If the wax has already soaked into the fabric, there are a few things you can try. If the fabric is lightweight, such as a t-shirt or blouse, you can try throwing it into the dryer with a fabric softener sheet. This will help break down the wax and draw it out of the fabric, making it easy to rinse away. If the fabric is too heavy to go in the dryer, you can try using a warm iron to help pull the wax out. Start by ironing the fabric at a low temperature with no steam. Once the wax has been pulled out, gently rinse the fabric with warm water and allow it to air dry.
How to Remove Candle Wax from Carpets
If you dropped hot candle wax on your carpet, it will take a bit more effort to remove than it would from your clothing. The first thing you want to do is scrape up as much of the wax as you can, then blot the area with a paper towel to soak up any excess. Next, go ahead and pour a cup of cold water over the area and let it sit for a few minutes. Since the water has cooled down, it won’t cause any additional damage to the carpet beneath the wax. After five minutes, go ahead and use a clean white cloth to blot up the water. Once the wax has been loosened, you can use a paper towel or old rag to lift the wax from the carpet. You should be careful not to rub too hard or you might cause more damage, but try to get as much out as possible. After you’ve removed as much wax as you can, rinse the area with warm water to remove any remaining wax particles, and let the carpet dry completely before walking on it again.
How to Remove Candle Wax from Furniture
If you spilled a hot candle onto your furniture, you’re going to want to try and get it off before it has a chance to harden. If the wax is fresh, you can try wiping it off with a paper towel. If it’s still warm, be careful not to burn your fingers. If the wax has already cooled, you’re going to want to move a little more carefully. You don’t want to risk damaging the furniture. You can try using a wooden spoon or chopstick to scrape the wax off. You can also pour some warm water over the wax to help loosen it and make it easier to scrape off. Be careful not to pour too much water as you don’t want it to drip down into the furniture below and cause damage. If the wax is really stubborn, you can try using a small amount of dishwashing liquid or laundry soap to help break it up and make it easier to remove. Once you’ve removed as much of the wax as you can, go ahead and rinse the area with warm water to remove any remaining wax particles.
How to Remove Candle Wax from Skin
If you’re unfortunate enough to get hot candle wax on your skin, you’re going to want to remove it as quickly as possible before it cools and becomes difficult to remove. If the wax has cooled you can use an oil or lotion to try and help break it up and make it easier to remove. You can also try using warm water to help open your pores and make the wax easier to remove from your skin. If the wax is still warm, you want to be careful not to burn your skin. Instead, you can run some cool water over the affected area, which should help lower the temperature and make it easier to remove. You can also try using a paper towel or cold water to help draw the wax away from your skin. After the wax has been removed, you want to be sure to wash the area with soap and water to make sure no traces remain on your skin. It’s important to clean the area thoroughly to prevent infection.
Conclusion
Candle wax is an unfortunate part of life when you have candles in your home. Although it’s not always easy to remove, one of the best things you can do is prevent it from happening in the first place. To do this, you can place your candles away from fabrics, furniture and human skin. You can do this by picking a table that has a caddy underneath, buying a candle stand, or putting your candles in a glass jar (with a lid) to prevent accidents from happening. You can also try to minimize the risk of wax spilling by lighting your candles in a well-ventilated area, letting them burn for only as long as you want them to, and using a candle snuffer to help prevent the flame from getting too high.