How to Remove Wax from Fabric
Blowing out a candle can be a satisfying end to an evening—unless the melted wax ends up splattered across your shirtfront. Then it's time to just chill out – literally.
Instructions
- Step 1: Put ice in pan Put ice in a metal pan and place it on top of the wax spill.
- Step 2: Chip away wax When the wax is frozen solid, remove the pan and chip away at the wax with a small hammer or dull knife.
- TIP: If you're able to remove most of the wax this way, apply dry cleaning solvent to the remaining residue and your work is done. If a large amount of wax remains, continue with the remaining steps.
- Step 3: Place paper towels On an ironing board, place two paper towels under the wax stain and two paper towels over it.
- TIP: If the wax-stained fabric has a second layer, like the leg of a pair of pants, make sure to put the bottom paper towels between the stained layer and the bottom layer.
- Step 4: Run iron Run a warm iron over the paper towels. The iron will melt the wax and the paper towels will absorb it.
- Step 5: Repeat process Replace the paper towels with fresh ones and iron again. Repeat this process until no more wax comes off on the paper.
- FACT: Honeybees collect nectar from approximately 17 million flowers to make 8 and a half pounds of honey... which makes one pound of beeswax!
You Will Need
- A metal pan
- A small hammer or dull blade
- A roll of paper towels
- An iron
- An ironing board
- Dry cleaning solvent (optional)