Removing Candle Wax

If you entertain a great deal, then inevitably you will spill candle wax on a tablecloth. Like this time.  It’s my own fault.  After hastily removing candles from a table, the warm wax spilled all over my tablecloth.  This is one of my “special” tablecloths.  It was purchased during our first trip to Italy over 20 years ago and every time I use it, I am transported back to that piazza filled with flowers and peddlers selling their wares.

I tend to use this tablecloth in the Spring and Summer because it is cheerful, light and airy. It feels very vintage and a bit retro and homespun. This tablecloth is a witness to many sweet memories, family dinners and lively conversation.

I have tried this wax removal strategy a few times to ensure it works before I decided to share it with you. Obviously I spill a lot of melted wax.

All you need is a dull knife, an  ironing board, a hot iron and some paper bags.

First scrape off and remove the excess wax.  I used a simple bread and butter knife in order to prevent cutting or tearing the fabric.

Having many Trader Joe bags, I cut these into sections to lay flat.  Make sure the unprinted side is closest to the fabric.

Sandwich the tablecloth between two sections of the paper bag on the ironing board, making sure you are over the wax area.

With a very hot iron, “press” the bag and “melt” the wax.  The paper bag will absorb the remaining wax and draw it away from the fabric. Also, depending on the type of fabric, you may want to experiment with a lower iron temperature as some fabric will not respond well to high heat.

You can see the wax melting and staining the paper bag.  Keep moving to cleaner sections of the bag over the wax, until all the wax is melted and absorbed.

Make sure you do not keep the iron in one place too long.  Even though the paper bag acts as a barrier between the iron and the tablecloth, the high heat could scorch the fabric.

After all the wax is removed, I washed the tablecloth in cold water, in a delicate cycle with a non-harsh detergent (Ivory Snow, for example) and then I always line dry my finer linens.  

The sun acts as a whitener and there is nothing better than the fresh smell of items dried outside in a natural breeze! And during our sunny spring days, they dry in no time!

If you don’t have a clothesline, then you can easily lay the tablecloth on the grass to dry.

Other Surfaces

I also tried this method on an exterior stone slab.  Remember when I cleaned up and remodeled my upstairs terrace?  See the post here.  In adding the two lanterns on the fireplace hearth, I used real wax candles inside. What was I thinking? Yep, the heat melted them and the wax puddled on the slate hearth.

I used the paper bags to soak up what was still in liquid form; used a dull knife to scrape off the rest.  Then I dragged my iron outside and used the same technique as stated above.  Low and behold, it worked!!!

Recently, my husband spilled citronella candle wax (a pale purple) on our outdoor rug. I am hesitant to try it since the rug is polypropylene.

Using several paper bags and an iron on a polyester setting, I gently remove the remaining wax. The process does work, however, I caution you to use a low heat. In getting a bit over zealous, I did turn up the iron to high and a small portion of the rug melted onto the bag. Oops.

In my opinion, there is nothing better than candle light to create a warm and welcoming ambiance.  Now, when I sloppily spill candle wax, I am confident I can remedy the situation.

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