How to Remove Candle Wax From Clothes, Carpet, and Upholstery

Simple Steps to Remove Wax from Household Fabrics

Candles on table

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 15 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5 to 10

Learning how to remove candle wax from fabric and upholstery is easy, and it can also save money on professional cleaning. But the waxy stains they can leave behind are not pretty—or easy to remove. The wax leaves behind oil, wax, or dye, all of which require special treatment to remove from fabrics and carpets.

Remove fresh wax by hardening it with ice to make it easier to scrape away. Old wax needs to be warmed with an iron to soften it for removal. Use similar methods to remove wax from furniture, as well. Going forward, the best way to avoid spilling candle wax is to use a candle snuffer to corral the wax and keep it in place.

Keep reading to learn how to expertly remove wax from fabrics and upholstery without leaving a stain.

Stain type Oily, waxy
Detergent type Heavy-duty or enzyme-based stain remover
Water temperature Warm to hot
Cycle type  Varies by fabric

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Clothing and Fabrics

  • Dull knife, spoon, or credit card
  • Soft-bristled brush (optional)

Carpet and Upholstery

  • Plastic bag
  • Dull knife, spoon, or credit card
  • Vacuum
  • Iron
  • Paper towels

Materials

Clothing and Fabrics

  • Ice cubes
  • Heavy-duty detergent or enzyme-based stain remover
  • Oxygen bleach

Carpet and Upholstery

  • Ice cubes
  • Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

How to Remove Candle Wax From Clothes and Fabrics

If the garment or table linen is labeled as dry clean only, allow the wax to harden, remove it with a dull edge, and immediately take the garment to a dry cleaner. When using a home dry-cleaning kit, treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.

Cleaning products for candle wax

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  1. Harden the Wax

    Place an ice cube on the stain to freeze and harden fresh wax spills. Avoid putting the ice directly on the fabric. Trying to remove hot wax pushes it deeper into the fibers of the fabric.

    Someone putting ice on wax

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  2. Remove the Wax

    Pick off the hardened wax with a dull kitchen knife, the edge of a credit card, or your fingernail.

    Someone removing hardened wax

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  3. Treat the Stain

    Treat the spot where the wax once was to remove the residual oils or dyes that may remain on the surface. Use an enzyme-based stain remover or a bit of heavy-duty liquid detergent, such as Tide or Persil, or a paste made of powdered detergent and water.

    Work the cleaner into the stained area with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Let the cleaner work for at least 15 minutes and then thoroughly rinse the stained area in hot water.

    Someone brushing wax stain

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  4. Wash the Garment

    Wash the fabric in the hottest water suitable, following the care label guidelines, once the stain is treated.

    Fabric in washaer

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  5. Check the Stained Area

    Check the stain before tossing the garment in the dryer. Don't dry a stained garment on high heat because it can permanently set the stain.

    Fabric in dryer

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  6. Treat Remaining Dye Stain

    Remove any dye transfer with a mix of oxygen bleach (brands include OxiClean, Nellie's Oxygen Brightener, and OXO Brite) and cool water, following the package directions.

    Submerge the entire garment or table linen in the solution. Allow it to soak for several hours or overnight, and then launder as recommended.

    Fabric in oxygen bleach solution

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

How to Remove Candle Wax From Carpet and Upholstery

The same tips for removing candle wax from carpet can be used for upholstery. If the fabric is silk or vintage, consult a professional before you do anything. If there's a colored stain on the carpet from the dye in the candle, use a bit of rubbing alcohol on a white paper towel to blot the stain.

  1. Harden the Wax

    Put a plastic bag of ice cubes over the wax to completely harden. Don't try to rub or wipe up the hot wax or it will go deeper into the fibers.

    Ice cubes in plastic bag on carpet with wax

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Remove the Visible Wax

    Use a dull knife or the edge of a credit card to scrape away the hardened wax. Then, use a hand vacuum or vacuum attachment to suck up the loose wax. Keep scraping gently until no more wax remains.

    Dull knife scraping wax from carpet

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  3. Remove Residual Wax

    Remove residual wax by placing several layers of white paper towels over the stain. Use a warm iron (not hot because that could melt the carpet fibers) to press over the area. This softens the wax in the fibers and the oily stain absorbs into the paper towels.

    Keep moving a clean area of the paper towels over the stain until all the wax is transferred.

    Warm iron placed on residual wax on carpet

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  4. Treat Remaining Dye Stains

    If there's a colored stain on the carpet from the dye in the candle, use a few drops of rubbing alcohol on a white paper towel to blot the stain.

    Warning

    Use hydrogen peroxide to remove dye stains from white carpets but avoid using it on dark rugs because it may bleach the fibers.

    White paper towel with rubbing alcohol on colored stains

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

FAQ
  • What breaks down candle wax on fabrics?

    Use a cotton swab doused with acetone or rubbing alcohol to try to break down candle wax on fabrics if you prefer not to use ice or heat.

  • Does vinegar dissolve candle wax?

    White vinegar may be able to dissolve the oils and grease left by candle wax. Mix equal amounts of water and distilled white vinegar and dab it with a clean cloth on the stain that may have been left by the wax.

  • Will dish soap remove candle wax?

    Dish soap and water can remove the oily stain left by candle wax on fabrics. The dish soap won't remove the wax itself, which needs to be hardened or softened and scraped off.