How to Get Wax Out of Carpet
Every single home owns a candle, which may be used for special occasions such as dinner parties or when a dreaded power cut happens after sundown.
Wax spillages often occur when candles are moved, and if warm liquid wax comes into contact with carpet, it’s very hard to remove.
With the majority of homes having carpet as a common floor covering, knowing how to get wax out of a carpet is an essential hack everyone needs to know.
In the following chapters, we outline precisely how to get wax out of carpet completely and effectively.
Table of Contents
Tools & Materials
Make sure you have all the necessary supplies ready before you begin tackling wax spills and stains on your carpets.
Get your wax carpet cleaning kit together, which should consist of the following:
- Ice pack or store bought bag of ice
- Butter knife or scraper
- Spoon
- White cotton towels
- Electric iron
- Carpet cleaning spray
- Vacuum Cleaner
Once you have all your items to hand, let’s get started!
Cleaning Wax from Carpets
One common myth that’s said to be the best method for removing wax from carpets is to use a hot iron over a paper bag or piece of paper.
Don’t do this!
As you might suspect, paper and heat is not a good idea unless you want to start a fire!
Attempting to remove wax from carpet by using the paper and heat method can lead to overheating and potentially burning the carpet.
Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid this method for wax removal.
Instead, follow these much safer and more effective methods to getting wax out of a carpet:
1. Freeze the Wax
Press your bag of ice onto the stained area of the carpet to solidify and freeze the wax.
Be cautious not to introduce any moisture from leaks or condensation, as it can complicate the stain removal process.
Leave the ice pack in position until you’re certain the wax is thoroughly frozen and hard.
2. Scrape the Wax
Using your butter knife or scraper, delicately scrape away the wax from the carpet fibres.
Ideally, this method will enable you to remove all of the spilled candle wax.
If you’re successful in doing so, you can skip the next two steps.
3. Cover & Iron the Stain
In case there’s remaining wax in the carpet fibres, place a damp white cotton towel over the stain.
Make sure to have another towel nearby, ensuring that as you move the towel around, you do not spread the stain further.
Apply firm pressure with a hot iron set on high, positioned over the towel, for a duration of 10 seconds.
The heat will cause the wax to transfer from the carpet onto the towel.
Repeat this process until the wax is completely removed.
In certain instances, you may need to hold the iron in place for up to 30 seconds.
Be aware that the towel may become dry due to the heat from the iron.
If this occurs, simply dampen it again and resume the process.
Should the towel become saturated with wax, replace it with a fresh one to effectively complete the wax removal from the carpet.
Repeat as necessary.
4. Clean the Carpet
It’s likely that the wax may cause discoloration, particularly on light-colored carpets.
This is where a reliable and potent carpet stain remover becomes invaluable.
Products like BISSELL Spot & Stain cleaner are excellent for this process.
Begin by spraying the carpet cleaner directly onto the stain and use a spoon to lightly scrub it into the carpet fibers.
Don’t be too aggressive however, as you may damage the carpet piles.
Once done, gently blot the area dry using a clean white towel.
Allow the carpet to air-dry, keeping in mind that it may appear slightly darker until it’s completely dry.
For particularly stubborn stains, multiple rounds of mild scrubbing may be necessary.
Patience is key, as this method remains the simplest way to restore your rug’s appearance.
Allow the treated area to sit undisturbed for approximately five minutes.
Afterwards, carefully blot the area using gentle pressure, and then let it air dry naturally.
5. Vacuum the Carpet
Finally, once you’re satisfied the carpet is completely clean and dry, take a vacuum cleaner and give the entire area a good vacuum.
Handheld vacuums are excellent for this final stage, as you can apply a little extra pressure to suck up any tiny fragments of wax that may be left behind in the carpet piles.
And that’s it, your carpet is now wax free!
Conclusion
Hopefully the above tips and tricks have helped you to remove that stubborn wax stain ruining your gorgeous carpets.
However, if wax stains persist on the carpet despite your best efforts, it may be beneficial to seek the services of a professional carpet cleaning company.
Here at ECMS, we possess the expertise and specialised tools to effectively tackle stubborn wax stains and restore your carpet to their former glory.
Contact us today if you need our help.