We asked cleaning experts, "How do you remove candle wax from clothes," and thankfully, their expertise means your favorite garments aren't goners if you have a waxy mishap.
With a little patience and some TLC, removing candle residue left behind from our favorite signature fragrances is entirely possible with our simple four-step guide, even if does feel a little tedious.
If some of the best candles did your textiles dirty, quite literally, don't worry. We're here to help restore your sweaters, skirts, dresses, and beyond back to pristine condition.
How do you remove candle wax from clothes?
1. Freeze the piece of clothing
As much as we love burning the best home fragrances out there, our candles do run the risk of dripping wax, in turn messing up our clothes. But cleaning experts unanimously agree that the best way to remove candle wax from your favorite outfits is by freezing the article in question.
"Place the garment in the freezer to harden the wax, then gently scrape it off with a dull knife, which helps prevent the wax from spreading," says Daniel Feliciano, co-founder and CEO of Clotheslyne.
Friendly reminder: don't attempt this first step until the wax has cooled, as scraping warm wax can cause it to spread and make the problem worse.
2. Iron the stain
It may seem unusual, but the next step in the process is grabbing your steam iron. (And making sure your iron is clean.)
"Grab a clean cloth, lay it over the stain, and apply a warm iron," says Hyacinth Tucker, founder of The Laundry Basket, LLC. "The heat will melt the wax, which the cloth will absorb. Repeat until the wax is history."
But Daniel suggests approaching this part of the process with baby steps, and not hovering over one spot in particular for too long.
"It's always a good idea to test any method on a small fabric area and address the issue immediately," he says. "Consider hiring a professional cleaner to avoid damaging delicate fabrics or fabrics you're unsure about."
3. Wash the item as usual
Once the freezing and scraping are set, grab the best laundry detergent from your laundry room and let your washing machines do the rest.
"Wash as usual to get rid of any oily residue," Hyacinth adds.
If you don't feel quite ready to toss it in the rinse cycle and believe there's still more work to do, Maytag suggests treating the items with the appropriate stain treatment and allowing it soak for about an hour before letting your washing machine take over.
4. Keep the fabric in mind
Not all fabrics are created equal, and for some, this process is a bit intense.
"Fabrics like silk, satin, and velvet can be real drama queens when it comes to candle wax," Hyacinth adds. "They're sensitive souls, easily damaged by heat or pressure. So, take it easy. Be gentle when scraping off wax, and keep the iron on a low heat setting. And remember, patience is key."
If in doubt, send the clothing over to the professionals.
Meet our experts
FAQs
Will candle wax come out in the wash?
Candle wax will likely come out in the wash provided you take the proper steps first, which includes freezing the wax piece, scrapping it off with a dull knife, soaking the item in a stain treatment, if necessary, and then putting it in the wash.
Does soap remove candle wax?
Soap on its own will not remove candle wax from your clothing. The piece in question needs to be hardened then treated with the proper solution (if necessary).
While we're on the topic of cleaning, you'll want to master the art of how to do laundry — candle wax or no candle wax — to ensure your garments are getting the best care possible.
