How to Remove Candle Wax

How to remove candle wax -- the question has likely been around as long as there have been candles! But here in the present, we have more options for removing candle wax than has been true in the past.

Candle wax can drip on tables, spill on carpets. When making candles we might get it on our clothes. How can we remove it without creating even more of a mess?

While the techniques are different depending on if the wax is vegetable, beeswax, paraffin or gel, we want the same results. Let's talk about some ways to safely remove candle wax.

Vegetable Wax

I've going to cover this quickly, because vegetable wax has one huge advantage; the wax usually cleans up with just soap and hot water.

Keep in mind that for this to happen, the candle wax has to be all vegetable -- not a vegetable-beeswax or vegetable-paraffin mix.

That being said, let's look at other waxes.

How to Remove Candle Wax -- Other Waxes

If you have anything other than a non-vegetable, here's how to remove candle wax from tables, carpets and clothes.

Removing from Wood Tables or Floors

Let wax cool, then lightly place an ice cube on it, to make the wax more brittle.

Then carefully scrape off the wax, with a blunt instrument (don't use a sharp knife or one that has a serrated blade). A credit card is a good example of a blunt tool, as is the back side of a butter knife.

Once the wax is gone, a "shadow" stain may remain; this you'll have to buff out with a little furniture cream.

How to Remove Candle Wax from Carpets

Let wax cool, then rub an ice cube onto the wax. When brittle, carefully scrape off as much wax as possible. Immediately vacuum to remove the excess wax.

If there is still some wax you can't scrape off and carpet can handle the heat, you can try ironing it with a piece of paper between the iron and carpet. You'll have to keep changing the paper, as the wax gets deposited onto it.

Of course, you cal always try Goo Gone Candle Wax Lifter, too.

Candle Wax Removal from Clothes, Tablecloth, Etc.

Let wax cool, then place an ice cube on the wax. Or, put the item in the freezer for a few minutes. When the wax is brittle, scrape off as much as you can with a blunt item -- do not use anything sharp or serrated!

As with the carpet idea, place a piece of kraft paper between the item and the iron. The wax will re-deposit on the paper. Remember to keep changing out the paper

You will still probably have a oil-looking stain on the item; treat it the way you would treat any oil spot. Be aware that depending on the kind of dye used in the candle, the stain may not totally come out.

If the article is dry-clean only clothes, take it to the cleaners and make special note that it's a candle wax spill. The cleaner may need to do a spot cleaning in addition to a regular dry cleaning.

Removing Candle Wax From Candle Holders

What about removing candle wax from candle holders, like votives and other hard-to-reach holders?

One thing you may want to try is to light the candle (assuming there is still a wick inside) and burn it for awhile. Blow out the flame, wait until the wax is just barely hardened, then use a butter knife to pop out the wax.

If that doesn't work, place the holder in the freezer for a few hours, so the wax can get brittle. Remove from the freezer and once again try to remove with a blunt object.

Whatever you do, don't try and remove any kind of wax over the sink! Any wax that makes it down the drain can collect and harden into a lump that will take a plumber to resolve (expensively).

Just keep in mind that you don't need a holiday or other special occasion to burn candles -- they are appropriate 365 days a year!

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How to Remove Candle Wax - Gel

Removing gel candle wax is both easier and harder than a regular non-vegetable wax.

For a hard surface like a table, counter or floor, just wait for the gel to cool and pull it off. Follow up by buffing out any oily residue.

For a cloth removal, first try peeling it off; it may or may not work well, depending on the fabric (how nubby it is).

If you can peel it right off, just treat any remaining oily residue just like you'd treat any other oil

If it's a nubby fabric, you'll probably want to try using the ice-cube method to harden the gel and scrape it off.