Think about a dinner party hosted by you. The food came out on time. Everybody was happy to mingle, stayed off Twitter while at it and nobody talked politics. You, as a gracious host, decided to set out your favorite tablecloth, plus some candles for an elegant ambiance. And alas!! The aftermath of such an elegant setup – candle wax melted all over your pretty tablecloth! The first question popped into your mind, how to get Wax out of a tablecloth?
Now, it’s okay to be upset. But we’ll be offering you a few straightforward steps on how to get wax out of tablecloths. So, hold that thought of relegating your wax-stained tablecloths to your linen closet. Because it will get your tablecloth back in business. And the best part is that such steps apply to any wax-on-fabric situation.
So, let’s dive into the steps of how to get wax off tablecloth.
How to Remove Wax from Tablecloths
Step 1: Remove the Excess
Take a look at the candle wax on your tablecloth just after it has happened. It is sensible to attempt to remove as much as possible while still in its liquid form. Try to blotch it with a kitchen towel rather than rubbing or wiping.
Chances are that you will only be able to notice the wax on the tablecloth once the table is being cleared. Long after the candle has been extinguished.
- If the wax is still gluey, leave it to harden. It can be done by putting it inside the freezer for a brief time.
- Then, remove the surplus wax by scraping it away using a butter knife. Be aware to avoid damage to the fabric while you are at it.
Step 2: Use Heat to Remove
Since the wax is oil-based and it was in liquid form when it dripped onto your tablecloth, it will typically flow into the fabric. That is why the scraping off step will not be enough to remove the wax completely. To remove the remnant wax, you will need two pieces of brown paper. The type that is used to make paper bags, plus an old towel. Note that, you must use the paper larger than the wax-stained area.
- Lay the towel flat with a piece of brown paper on top. After that, lay the stained area of the tablecloth on to the paper.
- Now, lay the second piece of brown paper on top. Next press down right before heating it with your hairdryer. But, if this doesn’t get enough temperature, try to use an iron on medium heat. Remember to switch off the steam function of the iron. The temperature can rise, if care instructions of the tablecloth allow.
- Simply, keep heating the stained area until the wax melts. It will appear in the paper. You can repeat this step on other clear sections of the brown paper until the wax stops coming through.
Step 3: Wash It Away
If you successfully been able to disappear the wax completely, you just only need to wash your tablecloth as normal. However, an ostensible stain of wax may remain. It means that it needs to be treated before being washed.
A normal laundering alone may not be sufficient because of the nature of the wax. So you will have to use a solvent to completely remove the candle wax from your tablecloth. Such solvents could be rubbing alcohol or, Acetone (found in nail varnish remover). A fair warning, this step should be omitted for delicate fabrics.
After you properly check the care instructions for any warnings, please do a patch test with a cotton bud soaked in the solvent. Upon success, proceed with a solvent-soaked cotton pad until the stain is completely removed.
Follow-up this step by washing your tablecloth by itself by a gentle wash with a standard detergent hand or your hand.
Note for the readers: the aforementioned steps are also known as the “Removal procedure for Big Candle Wax Stains out of Tablecloth”.
Extra Focus:
Removing Small Candle Wax Stains
- First way to remove small hardened spots of candle wax can be removed, but they require a slightly different approach. Try rubbing the cloth with a generous dollop of vegetable oil. Then, wipe off any excess oil with the paper towels. Finally, launder the tablecloth as usual.
- Second way to remove small amounts of wax from your tablecloth is to put the linen in the freezer. Doing so will turn the wax brittle. Then, snap most of the wax right off your tablecloth. To remove the rest of the wax, you can spread the affected area over a large-sized bowl and secure it with rubber bands. To melt the wax, pour down boiling water over it. Finally, wash the tablecloth as usual.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
We recommend you to use a wipeable tablecloth. Not only, it will do jobs like protecting your table but also will provide aesthetics. Also, it is way easy to wipe down any messes to save you time and hassle.
FAQ
Can you wash candle wax out of tablecloth?
Yes, you can. First, scrape off spilled wax with a blunt knife. Put some layers of brown paper under the cloth, then place another sheet of brown paper on top of the stain. With dim heat, iron until the wax is drawn into the paper. Keep moving the paper around and make sure all the wax is gone.
Will candle wax come out in the wash?
No, candle wax does not come out in the washing machine.
Does vinegar dissolve candle wax?
Yes. But for the cleaning of waxed surfaces. Vinegar dissolves the wax but it should not be used to clean waxed furniture. Vinegar is also a reliable option for removing an old coat of wax from a surface.
How do you get candle wax out of wool?
You can use your hairdryer and hold it just about four inches above the wax. Then, blot the wax with a paper towel as it warms. Gently scrape hardened wax off the wool with the help of a spoon. The wax flakes that come off from it can be vacuumed up later.
Final Words
We conclude this article with a few points to warn you with. Please check the fabric of your tablecloth before you decide to apply any stain removal on it. Natural fabric like linen or cotton, the steps discussed above should work fine for you.
If your tablecloth is made from polyester, you should be careful to use the appropriate heat setting on your iron. Lastly, if your tablecloth is an antique with delicate lace or fabric, it is safest to take it to a dry cleaner. Be sure to point out the areas of the stains when you give it to the cleaners!
