How to Safely Remove Wax from Carpet
It’s a common occurrence— a candle drips or gets knocked over, and after ensuring the flame is out, you find wax on the carpet. Don’t worry. With a little patience, removing it is easy. Below, we’ve outlined the steps to effectively remove wax from carpet, along with tips to ensure no residue remains. Keep your rugs and carpets in great shape with these straightforward instructions.
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Things to Keep in Mind Before You Start
If the wax spills onto an area rug covering a hardwood floor, you’ll need to take additional steps to protect the floor beneath. Before applying any liquid solutions to the wax, place a plastic trash bag under the area to safeguard the pad and floor from moisture that could damage the wood. After treatment, ensure the rug and pad are fully dry before removing the trash bag.
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The same products and methods can be used to remove wax from upholstery. However, be cautious not to oversaturate the fabric or cushion filling, as excess moisture can lead to mold growth. Using a circulating fan nearby can help speed up the drying process.
Essential Items You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Sealable plastic food storage bag
- Old credit card, dull knife, or spoon
- Vacuum
- Iron
Materials
- Ice cubes
- Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
- Oxygen-based bleach powder or hydrogen peroxide
- Paper towels
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Instructions
How to do?
Chill the Wax
Avoid removing wax while it's still liquid or soft, as it will only push deeper into the fibers.
- Place ice cubes in a sealable plastic bag.
- Lay the bag over the wax for 10 minutes.
Scrape Away the Wax
Once the wax hardens, use an old credit card, dull knife, or spoon to gently scrape it off.
- Work in layers if needed and vacuum up the loose bits.
Remove Residual Wax
For any remaining wax, follow these steps to avoid sticky surfaces:
- Layer five sheets of white paper towels over the wax.
- Set the iron to a low setting (2 or 3), avoiding high heat that could melt carpet fibers.
- Press the iron over the paper towels to soften the wax and absorb the stain.
- Replace the paper towels as needed until no more wax is absorbed.
Remove Dye Traces
For colored wax stains:
- Apply rubbing alcohol and blot with a paper towel until the color fades.
- For non-wool carpets, use a paste of oxygen bleach (like OxiClean) and water. Leave for 4 hours, then vacuum.
- For white carpets, dab with hydrogen peroxide to bleach the stain.
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- Once the wax is gone, vacuum the carpet to lift and restore the fibers. If the area still attracts dirt, repeat the steps as there may be leftover wax.
- Shag carpet may need extra effort; repeat the process several times to ensure the wax is fully removed from the fibers.
- For vintage carpet or upholstery, test dye removal solutions in an inconspicuous area first, or consult a professional.
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