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- People love candles not only because they are beautiful, but also because candle lights can create a relaxing vibe in just a few seconds.
- However, if used not safely, candle wax could spill onto your most favorite clothes, furniture, or tablecloth.
- In the article below, we will show you how to get wax out of this specific piece of fabric – tablecloth.
Whether you are using a candle to create an ambiance for a great evening or using them as your main source of light, candle wax is bound to get on your tablecloth. Your first reaction may be to panic, but there is no cause for that.
You can get rid of wax easily and return your cloth into the new piece it was before. To do that, there are several methods you can use, but the most common one is freezing the wax, melting it, and washing.
Important: it’s essential that you determine the kind of fabric your tablecloth is made of. Whether it is cotton or silk, each fabric will react differently to cleaning processes and candle wax. Some materials may not be too damaged by the wax spill, while others will be permanently damaged. You’ll need several items to remove wax properly.
- You can use your freezer, but if you don’t have one, ice cubes will do.
- You need paper towels, but if you don’t have them, a paper bag will suffice.
- Hot water or iron
- Stain remover
- Washing machine
Step 1: Hardening the Candle Wax
Start by freezing the tablecloth to remove the extra wax.
- By placing the cloth in freezing temperatures, the excess wax will harden and will be easier to remove.
- Place the cloth in the freezer for approximately 60 minutes to give it ample time to harden completely.
- If you are using ice cubes, place them in a bag and rub the bag on the cloth.
- Make sure the bag isn’t leaking. Continue rubbing until you are satisfied the wax is hard. It may take you more than an hour, so you have to be patient.
- After hardening, scrub wax off the tablecloth using a butter knife or any blunt object in your reach, be gentle not to damage the cloth.
- If the wax doesn’t come off easily, re-freeze it until it completely hardens.
You should note that freezing only gets most of the wax and not all of it.
Step 2: Melting the Candle Wax
Spilled wax usually gets into the tablecloth and seeps through the fibers. To remove the wax stain, you will need a source of heat.
- Cover the stained area with a piece of paper and iron the paper.
- Make sure the iron is preheated, and don’t place it directly on the cloth.
- You can use a towel or another clean piece of cloth instead of paper.
- Set the temperature according to the fabric. For instance, cotton will need more heat than silk materials.
- Use circular motions when ironing the area to melt the wax in all directions.
An alternative is to place the stained area under hot running water.
- Let the water run over it for a minute or so, then use a soft brush to scrub it gently while the water is still running.
- You can use butter instead of a brush.
- Remember to be as gentle as possible to avoid ruining the fabric.
You may have to repeat this a few times before the stain vanishes completely. Patience is an important aspect here, just like in the first step.
Step 3: Removing the Candle Wax
Your final step will be to wash the wax spills, and that is where your washing machine comes in. at this point, the majority of the stain is already gone, so your goal will be to remove the little that is remaining.
- Make sure you get rid of all the wax oil before placing the cloth in the washing machine.
- Apply the stain remover on the area that is still showing wax and let it stay for 2 minutes.
- Apply a good amount of the stain remover for better results.
- Place it in the washing machine to complete the washing process.
Final Note: How to Get Rid of Wax Stains from the TableCloth
Each of these methods plays a crucial role in getting bac your fabric to its original condition. You have to take each step carefully and not rush through it.
If your skip one step, the stain will be harder to remove, and chances are, some visible residue will remain on the cloth.
- Find out the type of cloth it is, set your iron to the right temperature, and follow the other steps outlined above.
- If you’re using hot water, it shouldn’t reach the boiling point.
- These processes will help you avoid spending money on cleaning services, but they are still as effective.
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