As the candles melt, the wax ends up clinging to the surfaces, sometimes making it difficult to clean. We tell you how to remove it without leaving traces.
Removing the candle wax when it is dry is essential to avoid stains and residues of the product . Although the material seems to blend into the surfaces, there are simple tricks to implement.
But why give so much importance to the melted match? Generally, it is conditioned to how unsightly an object impregnated with wax looks and little is said about the reactions that contact with this element could cause to health.
Yes, the candles look beautiful, decorative and many of them smell delicious. However, you have to be careful with them, even after using them. Let’s learn how to clean up the remains.
What is candle wax?
Waxes are solid substances and easy to melt, whose composition is of vegetable, animal or mineral origin. It is malleable and not soluble in water. Applies for multiple uses; one of the most common is candle making.
Admitting diversity of shapes, colors and scents, the candles consist of a wick and a fuel, which in this case is wax; although it can also be fat or paraffin. The last one is the most frequent, due to its similarity to the synthetic secretion produced by bees.
As the National Candle Association explains, quality candle waxes offer a clean and safe burn, thanks to blends chosen by manufacturers. However, one of the consequences of ignition is what is spilled.
Why is it important to remove candle wax from surfaces?
Apart from the unpleasantness of a textile, floor or furniture bathed with pieces of melted candle, it is essential to remove the excess to avoid health-related situations.
By melting and sticking to surfaces, the person is prone to touching the wax. And if it’s someone allergic to the ingredients or color, you could experience a reaction just by touching the material, as Medline Plus reports.
The effects include symptoms such as the following:
- tearing
- Swelling.
- redness.
- Blisters or skin rashes.
If you suffer from these allergies, it is necessary that you remove the wax with gloves.
If you have a history of skin allergies, be careful when handling candle wax.
Tips for removing candle wax from clothes, floors and furniture
Especially at Christmas time, candles tend to be used as part of the decoration. They place them near the furniture, bordered on shelves or places where they complement the decorations. In all cases, the security measures recommended by the Latin American Association of Candle Manufacturers are essential.
While these elements are lit, it is almost inevitable that the wax will stain the area where you have placed the candle or, moving it, a drop will fall on your clothes, on the carpet or on a piece of furniture.
If the match is left on any of these objects, before trying any method to clean it, the main thing is to review the manufacturer’s instructions. There is likely to be some specific advice. If you do not have indications, it is feasible to execute the tricks that we will see below.
Never touch the wax if it is hot! The basic warning to remove it is to wait for it to cool.
Dry scrape
Scraping with the edge of a plastic card or a butter knife works if the wax is on clothing or furniture. Try not to rub against the fibers, as it makes the process difficult.
Use turpentine
White spirit or turpentine is a commonly used solvent formula in the paint and dry cleaning industry, as noted by the National Fuel, Alcohol and Portland Administration. It is used to clean candle wax on vinyl floors, wiping with a cloth slightly dipped in the substance.
As it is a powerful chemical, do not forget to protect your hands and wear a mask. The Argentine Archives of Dermatology point out that dermatitis caused by this substance is rare, but it does not subtract the probability of suffering from the condition, through direct contact or through its derivatives.
Subject to heat
Heat is the appropriate resource for removing melted wax from the floor. One of the ways is to wet with a little hot water to dissolve the wax and rise to the surface. Then clean with soap and water.
Another system is to pass the hair dryer. Activate the maximum heat level of the appliance and let the air point directly at the stained floor, until the match becomes liquid. As it transforms, you clean with a cloth.
The iron also helps remove candle film on clothing, tablecloths, and cloth napkins. The procedure consists of covering the wax with absorbent paper towels and ironing it at medium heat, changing the paper while it soaks.
Do not use color-patterned towels, as high temperatures will cause them to transfer to the fabric.
Take advantage of the cold
Freezing candle wax stands out among the strategies to remove it, since the cold hardens it and simplifies cleaning. If the wax landed on a small piece of cloth or a moderately sized object, you could put it in the freezer for a while, wait for it to freeze, then scrape it off.
When the remains are on a piece of furniture, the suggestion is to take ice cubes wrapped in an absorbent cloth and place them on the wax. After an hour, you should peel it off with no problem. If there are still chunks, resort to scraping.
Putting the ice in plastic bags and rubbing the wax stuck on the carpets is a step before washing them with shampoo, drying them in the sun and vacuuming them to leave them totally clean.
Wash with detergents
Detergents help remove candle wax from brick, concrete, and tile floors. The first thing you have to do is scrape and, at the end, wash with a mixture of water and detergent .
Similarly, washing wax-stained clothing in the washing machine is an infallible trick to remove the residue after filing or freezing the wax.
It is very difficult that a decoration with candles does not end with spilled wax. So go through these tricks to fix the problem.
Special cleaners
All-purpose cleaning sprays or upholstery cleaning fluids are ideal for this task. What corresponds is to spray the cleaner on the wax and pass a sponge or a microfiber cloth dampened with water.
Vinegar or alcohol
Both liquids are effective when the wax to be removed is quite old. White vinegar and water, in equal parts, is useful on vinyl and wood floors, because it cleans and is colorfast. Pass a cloth until there are no traces of the candle.
The alcohol erases the hard-to-come-out wax on fabrics. Recipe calls for 2 parts isopropyl alcohol to 2 parts water, rub with a towel, and rinse with cold water. The procedure is repeated until the garment is completely clean.
Extra data: recycle the candle wax remover
The candle wax that results from scraping is useful in crafts or DIY. Accumulate the product in a glass jar and have it available when you need it.
The way you recycle the wax is by melting it again and incorporating a wick to make another candle. It is also an effective resource when waxing hinges and doors or as a vintage stamp for letters.
