For most stain removal situations, time is of the essence and haste is a virtue. This is not the case with wax. Attempting to clean up hot wax is far more likely to result in a stain, so wait until it cools and hardens. Remember not to get burned trying to remove it with your finger.
Once the wax has hardened, it’s time to remove as much of it as you can. Using a dull knife or the edge of a pie server (even the edge of a credit card can work in a pinch), slide the tool under the edge of the wax and gently chip away. For smooth fabrics, this method might remove the surface wax in one convenient piece, whereas textured fabrics will likely require more work. For the latter, make sure the fabric surface is taut, and gently scrape to remove excess flakes of wax—be careful not to damage the fabric as you go.
Set up an ironing board and lay down an old towel or sheet to protect its surface. Next, place your garment with the wax stain facing upward and cover it with two layers of dry paper towels. Bring your iron to a medium heat, then gently iron over the stain. While remelting the wax may seem counterproductive, the wax should naturally absorb into the paper towels.
If you still notice a color stain on the fabric, don’t panic. The next stage is to soak the fabric. Add a small amount of stain remover to a bowl of clean, warm water and let it soak for two to three hours. While chemical stain removers can be an effective tool in removing wax from clothing, they can also be harsh on certain types of fabric, so consider using a natural alternative.
Using a high-quality detergent, wash your garment as usual. While this should fully remove any lingering color residue, certain fabrics may require a second wash or (worst-case scenario) a trip to the dry cleaners.
Up next, learn how to remove paint stains from your clothes in just four steps.
This story was published at an earlier date and has been recently updated.
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