How to Effectively Remove Candle Wax From Carpets

Candle wax spills do happen, and they can be challenging to remove if you just leave them be. Help keep your floors and floor protection looking great by learning how to remove candle wax from your carpets.

Here we share some of the best tips to get rid of it on rugs and carpets. Read on to master the right ways. But before that, let’s discuss what makes candle wax difficult to remove.

Why Candle Wax is Difficult to Remove

It is tricky to remove from carpets because of its unique properties. We’ll try to explain as simple as possible.

1. Adhesive properties. When melted, wax becomes sticky and sticks strongly to carpet fibres.
2. Solidification. As the wax cools, it solidifies and hardens. Meaning, it becomes firmly embedded in the carpet’s texture.
3. Oil content. Most candles contain oils that can leave stains even after the wax is removed.
4. Carpet fibre interaction. Wax can penetrate deep into carpet fibres.
5. Heat sensitivity. Carpet fibres can be damaged by the heat needed to re-melt the wax for removal.
6. Colour transfer. If the wax is coloured, it may transfer dye to the carpet. Another staining issue arises.

All these factors makes it a stubborn substance to deal with.

Common Mistakes People Make

Here are some common actions that people might do, especially when dealing with a wax candle spill the first time.

1. Using heat directly on the carpet. Don’t apply a hairdryer or heat gun directly to the wax. You don’t want to melt the carpet fibres and damage them.
2. Applying hot water directly. This is a no-no. You risk spreading the wax and embed deeper into the fibres if you do this. This makes it harder to remove.
3. Trying to remove wax while it’s still soft. Don’t try to scrape it off while it is warm and soft, as you may push it deeper into the fibres. It’s better to let the wax harden first.
4. Aggressive rubbing. Vigorously rubbing the wax doesn’t do the job. In fact, it pushes the wax deeper into the carpet.
5. Not using a barrier with an iron. You should place a cloth or paper towel between the iron and the carpet.
6. Delaying action. There is a difference between waiting long enough to let the wax harden and waiting too long, letting it set more deeply into the fibres.
7. Overlooking professional help. It is not bad to attempt to remove a simple candle wax problem yourself, but handling severe or large wax stains without considering professional carpet cleaning services is not recommended. It may cost you more than you can imagine.

DIY Methods for Initial Wax Removal

Here is how to remove a candle wax from carpets when you are dealing with spillage.

The Ice Method

It is a simple and effective way to remove candle wax from carpets.

1. Place a plastic bag filled with ice cubes or an ice pack directly on the wax. Leave it there for about 10-15 minutes until the wax is completely frozen.
2. Then use a dull knife or a credit card to gently scrape off as much of the wax as possible. Be careful not to damage the carpet fibres.
3. Vacuum up the frozen wax particles.
4. If there is any residue left, you can use a carpet cleaner or a mixture of water and mild dish soap to blot the area. Note: don’t soak the carpet.

The Heat Method

This is another way to remove candle wax from carpets using extreme temperatures.

1. Use a dull knife or a credit card to remove as much of the hardened wax as possible.
2. Then place a clean white cloth, paper towel or brown paper bag over the wax. This will absorb the wax as it melts.
3. Set an iron to a low heat setting with no steam. Gently press the iron onto the cloth or paper for a few seconds.
4. Move the cloth or paper to clean area and repeat as needed until all the wax is absorbed.
5. Clean the residue as you would using the last step in the above method.

Precautions To Take

Since carpet cleanups are tricky, we will provide the right precautions you can take to minimise damage wherever and whenever possible.

1. Address spills as soon as they happen.
2. Allow the wax to cool and harden before trying to remove it.
3. Use a dull tool (like mentioned, dull knife or card).
4. Avoid oversaturating the carpet.
5. Always test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet first. We are trying to avoid discolouration and damage.
6. If you have delicate carpets, call in professional carpet cleaners to take charge.

Limitations of DIY Methods

Candle wax isn’t your usual liquid or residue that can be easily cleaned up through blotting and drying. If you are not so sure about your DIY efforts of cleaning up wax residues, here’s what may happen!

• You risk your carpets of damage, especially when you use improper tools and techniques. For example, you use sharp objects or you directly place the iron in contact with the wax.
• You may be able to get rid of most of the wax, but not all. Unless you are satisfied with your result, knowing it has deeply penetrated the fibres, then DIY might suffice.
• The carpet may also get stained. This happens when you use coloured cloths or paper towels with heat. The dye transfers to the carpet.
• The removal process can be time-consuming. You may need to repeat the process many times over before seeing results.
• If you are not patient enough to wait before the wax is properly hardened, it’s possible that the wax can spread further.

Unless you are experienced in removing candle wax from carpets, engaging professional cleaning services may be the better option for you.

Professional Carpet Cleaning Solutions

Professional carpet cleaning services uses a combination of the discussed methods to remove the wax and possible stains from your carpets.

They may begin by using the ice method, scraping off, and then off to the heat method. It all depends on the case or the severity of the wax spill. If any dye from the candle remains, they treat the area with a carpet cleaner and blot with a clean cloth until the stain is removed.

You may think you can do it yourself when the process is as simple as this. But the difference lies in their expertise and the cleaning products they use. Their commercial- or industrial-grade cleaners are more effective than store-bought local carpet cleaners. Their techniques in removing the residues and stains are more time-, resource-, and energy-efficient than when removing the wax yourself.

The most precious thing about partnering with professional cleaners is having the peace of mind that your carpets get to stay longer with you as it continues to fulfill its function. It’s because you know they’re in the right hands.

Preventing Future Wax Spills

Let’s say you have fresh carpets now, either you were able to clean off the wax or have engaged a cleaner to remove it. Your next concern is how you will minimise this accident.

But don’t worry, we got you. You will learn simple but useful tips to avoid candle mishaps on your fave carpets!

1. Use wide-based, sturdy candleholders that won’t tip easily.
2. Don’t place it direct on carpet or furniture.
3. Weighted holders are an excellent option. The more stable, the better.
4. Use candles in areas where they are less likely to be knocked over.
5. Place a heat-resistant tray or plate under the candle.
6. Keep wicks to about a quarter inch to avoid large and unstable flames.
7. Make sure to extinguish candles before you go to sleep or leave the room.
8. It may be trivial, but you can invest in a candle snuffer.
9. Consider flameless alternatives like essential oil diffusers, LED candles and string lights.

These 9 tips can do well enough to keep you away from wax spills for a while.

Conclusion

Accidents do happen, and we can never really avoid them 100% of the time. So if in the future that you encounter a wax spill on your carpet once again, don’t hesitate to try the methods we’ve discussed.
And if you want to ensure longevity and professional carpet handling, carpet cleaning services are your way to go. You will be surprised how cost-effective it is to let the pros do the cleaning.

At Avalon Services, you can contact us for your carpet cleaning concerns!