How to Get Wax Out of Carpet

How to Get Wax Out of Carpet with Ease and Effectively

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Cleaning any form of wax out of your carpets (candle or hair removal wax) is a must-know skill in any household when it comes to carpeting. Especially since some candles can be toxic (source: are bath and body works candles toxic). Besides, you never know what your carpet will face, especially in high-traffic areas. Don't worry; getting wax out of the carpet isn't as tough as it may appear. A little unexpected wax won't permanently ruin your luxurious carpeting if you follow the following DYI methods of how to get wax out of the carpet. Keep on reading!

What Are the Best Methods of Getting Wax Out of Carpet?

Method 1: Using an iron box

Gather the following materials and tools before you start:

  • Iron
  • Two towels
  • Spoon
  • Butter knife
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Carpet cleaning detergents

Then after you have the materials and tools ready, follow the following steps. The process might take you about 45 minutes.

  • Step 1. Scrape away the hardened wax.

Scrape the dried wax from the carpet using a butter knife.

  • Step 2. Vacuum.

Ensure you vacuum the loose particles. If there are any more scraps, repeat the process with the knife and vacuum again.

  • Step 3: Cover the stain with a towel cloth.

Get a damp towel and place it on the affected area.

  • Step 4: Iron

Set your iron to the "low" setting. Place it on top of the towel and press for 10 seconds. You can set the iron to medium or high if the heat does not transfer the wax from the carpet to the towel.

  • Step 5: Repeat.

Iron until all of the candle wax has been removed. Replace the towel if it's no longer moist or if it has been encrusted with wax. However, take caution not to burn the carpet fibers, particularly if you have a synthetic carpet.

  • Step 6: Time to use a carpet cleaning detergent

Apply a carpet cleaning detergent to the affected area. Gently rub the cleaning detergent into the cloth with a spoon, then dry it with another clean towel.

Note: We recommend avoiding using a paper bag as a barrier since it might overheat and burn the carpet.

Method 2: Using a hairdryer

You can use a hairdryer instead of an iron box.

  • Step 1: Scrape the wax out of the carpet

Using a blunt knife, scrape the hardened wax from your carpet. This may leave stray wax particles on the carpet, so vacuum them up.

  •  Step 2: Cover the stain with a damp towel cloth.

After vacuuming, dab a moist and clean cloth on the stain.

  • Step 3: Use the hairdryer

Set the hairdryer to a low or medium setting and drape it over the towel. This will melt the remaining wax, and it will then be absorbed into the towel.

  • Step 4: Repeat

If there is still wax on the carpet after the first try, repeat the process with a moist towel and the hairdryer.

  • Step 5: Time to use a cleaning detergent

Finally, scrub the stain's location with a standard carpet cleaning solution before allowing the carpet to dry.

Method 3: Using ice pack without a heat

If you don't have an iron box at home, don't worry, there are numerous DIY carpet cleaning tips you can count on. If the stain is minor, this procedure will help you remove the wax from your carpet without using heat. By the way, you can use ice to figure out how to remove chewing gum from your carpet.

Before you begin, remember to keep the spilled wax stain dry and not allow it to embed into the carpet fibers.

You will need the following tools and materials:

  • Ice cubes
  • Dull knife
  • Plastic bag
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Carpet cleaning detergent
  • Two pieces of fabric

Then after you have the materials and tools ready, follow the following steps to remove wax effectively.

  • Step 1: Place an ice-filled plastic bag over the stain.

Fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and lay it over the affected area. Ensure the bag isn't pierced

  • Step 2: Press the bag on the carpet

The cold will harden the wax stain, while the bag will keep it from becoming wet.

  • Step 3: Scrape away the wax.

Scrape the wax off the carpet with a dull knife after ensuring that the place is dry and no longer soft.

  • Step 4: Remove the wax

Remove the wax gently so that you don't rip the fibers. Then, with the dull knife, try to get as much of it as you can.

  • Step 5: Vacuum.

Remove any remaining wax bits with a vacuum cleaner.

  • Step 6: Use carpet cleaning detergent.

If the wax has been removed but wax stains remain, dab the spot with a towel dipped in rubbing alcohol. Then, blot as much as possible and allow the treated area to dry with another towel.

Method 4: Using ice with iron

  • Step 1: Freeze the wax

First, it's critical to remove wax from your carpet as soon as you see it. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to remove the stain. Start by putting a plastic bag of ice or an ice pack on top of the affected area. Allow the wax to freeze for 10 minutes, ensuring it doesn't become wet from the ice pack. Moisture will make the stain more difficult to remove.

  •  Step 2: Scrape off the wax
How to Get Wax Out of Carpet

Once the wax has frozen, use a dull knife to carefully scrape as much of it off the carpet as possible; you don't want to cut the threads of the carpet. Next, vacuum up the scraped-off parts before moving on to step 3.

  • Step 3: Heat and absorb the candle wax

On top of the remaining wax stain, place a paper towel, white terry cloth towel or brown paper bag. Switch your iron box to the lowest setting, ensure the steam function is off, then run an iron over the towel to warm the wax. Keep the iron moving at all times and avoid the urge to increase the heat level—you don't want to burn the paper or your carpet.

When you notice the towel soaking the wax, move it over the stain to allow a clean area to absorb additional wax. Repeat this process until all of the wax has been removed.

As mentioned before, you can use a hairdryer in place of iron. First, blow hot air into the stain until it is warm, then press a paper towel, white terry cloth towel or brown paper bag firmly to absorb the wax.

  • Step 4: Clean the carpet

Finally, use a carpet cleaning solution to the affected area. Wet a white terry cotton towel with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe the wax stains until the color is eliminated from troublesome colored candle wax. Take care not to massage the solution into the carpet, as this might damage the delicate fibers.

Method 5: Using greaseproof paper

You might be wondering how you can remove candle wax from a carpet using greaseproof paper; the truth is, you will still require an iron box for the process to be effective.

Cover the wax with a folded piece of greaseproof paper. Then, for around 10 seconds, press an iron (on the highest setting) on the paper. The process should remove the wax and transfer it to your greaseproof paper.

Repeat the process until the wax is gone; you might need to leave the iron in place for up to 30 seconds.

Method 6: WD 40

Is WD 40 effective in removing candle wax? WD-40 is useful for more than just cleaning equipment, lubricating sticky drawers or wheels, repairing squeaky hinges, and preventing corrosion. Several more creative applications for this popular product include cleaning wax from a carpet, chalkboards, glass, wallpaper, upholstery, and other surfaces.

  • Step 1: Scrape the wax out of the carpet

Begin by using a dull knife to remove the hard chunks of wax.

  • Step 2. Vacuum.

Ensure you vacuum the loose particles. If there are any more scraps, repeat the process with the knife and vacuum again.

  • Step 3: Use WD-40

Generously spray WD-40 on the carpet stain and allow it to settle for a few minutes.

  • Step 4: Let it dry

When it seems to be dry, use a sponge to remove the wax.

Method 7: Using vinegar

Sprinkle some baking soda on the stain and leave it for approximately a minute.

Then, pour vinegar on the baking soda to neutralize the wax stain. Apply vinegar until all of the baking soda has been dissolved. Therefore, the combination of these two substances acts as a cleaning agent.

Lastly, vacuum the area after absorbing the vinegar using a cloth.

Method 8: Using rubbing alcohol

Is it possible to remove spilled candle wax using rubbing alcohol? Since candle wax is usually oil-based, a solvent that can dissolve oil, such as rubbing alcohol, is required to remove a candle wax stain from your carpet.

Step 1: Put rubbing alcohol on cotton.

To begin with, blot the stain with rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab. The greasy, waxy stain will melt away right in front of your eyes.

Step 2: Use a sponge

When it seems to be dry, use a sponge to remove the wax and vacuum on the affected area.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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