How to Remove Candle Wax Stains From Any Surface

Flickering candles set the mood for a dinner party, but there's nothing charming about spilled wax. Don't despair, though; it's relatively easy to remove wax on your own, and a professional dry cleaner can help you with more delicate items.

If the fabric is durable, like cotton, try to clean it yourself. If the material is fragile, however, you should not attempt to scrape off the wax as the friction may cause damage. "With silk or any other delicate fabric that has wax spots, the best thing to do is have it professionally cleaned," says Jerry Pozniak, owner of Cameo Cleaners in New York City. "Dry-cleaning solvents will dissolve the wax without damaging the material itself. No mechanical methods are needed, so there is no risk of the fading that can happen if you try to remove the wax yourself."

However, if you would like to clean it up yourself, here are the methods recommended by experts. "Remember to exercise caution and test these methods in a safe area first to ensure they won't harm the material," says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.

Tabletops

To remove wax from tabletops, heat pooled wax with a blow dryer on the lowest setting for several seconds, then scrape it off using a credit card, plastic spatula, or flexible dough scraper (don't use anything made of metal). You should be able to buff the excess away with a soft cloth. To harden soft wax (from a fresh drip), place ice cubes in a plastic bag and rest the bag against the wax. The hardened wax can then be scraped away easily.

Table Linens

Allow the wax to harden before you attempt to remove it. "Place the stained table linen in the freezer until the wax hardens (approximately 45 minutes)," says Mock. "Gently chip away the frozen wax with your fingernail or a soft plastic scraper. Once the wax is removed, launder the table linen as usual." The dyes used in colored candles may leave behind a stain; if an oily spot remains, have the item dry-cleaned.

Upholstery

Although a dry cleaner should remove wax from delicate fibers such as silk, for durable fabrics such as cotton, you can try to clean them yourself.

First, let the wax cool on its own or hasten the process by placing an ice cube wrapped in plastic on top of it. Once firm, carefully scrape off as much wax as you can using your fingernail or the dull edge of a butter knife. If the wax is on a cushion cover that can be removed, take it off and place several layers of damp paper towels on each side of the fabric, ironing over the paper on a low setting; the wax should be absorbed by the towels.

Apply a fabric stain remover to eliminate any lingering residue (check for colorfastness first in an inconspicuous spot, then follow label instructions on the spot remover); blot with clean paper towels before laundering. If the drippings are on a cushion or pillow cover that can't be taken off, Pozniak suggests that you ask your dry cleaner to recommend a tailor who can carefully pull out the stuffing so the covering can be treated separately.

Rugs and Carpeting

"Wax can be a challenging mess to deal with when it melts and hardens in carpet fibers," Mock says. Traditional cleaning methods like soap, water, and elbow grease often don't cut it. However, there's a straightforward fix that can completely remove wax from your carpet—using an iron to re-melt the wax into paper towels. It's a simple and effective solution."

Place a white cloth or paper towel on top, and run a warm iron over it. (On synthetic carpet, make sure the iron is on the lowest setting.) "Gently press the iron on the paper towel, transferring heat to the wax. The paper towel absorbs the melting wax," says Mock. "Repeat with fresh paper towels until the wax is completely gone."

If any wax remains, try dry-cleaning fluid. Little burn marks can't be removed, but they can be camouflaged—trim those black bits away with scissors. Cut some fibers from a hidden swatch of carpet, then use superglue to secure them into the burn mark and even out the top with scissors. After all of this, if a stain has gotten the best of you, don't despair: You can always rearrange the furniture.

Wood

For wood tabletops and furniture, use the hot water method, says Mock. Fill your sink or a container with hot water and add white vinegar, if necessary. Place the affected wooden item in the hot water (or add the hot water to the item); this will soften the wax. Once softened, gently scrape the wax off using a soft plastic scraper, then finish by polishing the wood to restore its shine.