Discovering hot candle wax on the carpet feels like a disaster, but it can easily be removed with the right tricks. Find out how to get candle wax out of carpet with tools you have on hand.
How to Get Candle Wax Out of Carpet
Updated Mar. 10, 2022
Lighting a candle at the end of a long day is one of our favorite rituals for creating a cozy home. (Especially when you have fancy candle accessories.)
But if you’ve ever experienced a candle mishap, then you know how frustrating it can be to clean up spilled wax, especially when it’s on carpet. Hot wax and rug fibers are a bad combination! However, all is not lost.
Knowing how to get candle wax out of carpet means you can keep your floor looking pristine. Here’s the surprisingly simple process.
Psst: This is how to make candles last longer.
How to Remove Candle Wax from Carpet
Tools You’ll Need
- Ice: This will harden the wax so it’s easier to remove.
- Butter knife: A dull knife for scraping up wax.
- Iron: To reheat the wax during the removal process.
- Paper towels or paper bag: The wax will transfer onto the paper surface.
- Microfiber cloth: To clean up remaining residue
- Carpet cleaner: This can be store-bought or your DIY natural cleaner.
Directions
1. Freeze the wax
The spilled wax needs to be solid before you attempt the cleanup job. To speed up the hardening process, hold a bag of ice or an ice pack directly on the wax until the wax is solid. In this form, it will be easier to lift from the carpet fibers.
2. Scrape off as much as you can
Using a butter knife or other dull knife, scrape away as much hardened wax as you can from the carpet. Depending on the thickness of the spill, most of it should scrape off easily, leaving you with just remnants to remove in the next step.
3. Use an iron to draw out the wax
For the remaining wax stuck to the carpet fibers, use an iron to re-melt the wax while simultaneously drawing it away from the carpet and onto a paper towel or bag.
Place a folded paper towel or paper bag on the wax stain. Then, with your iron set on low (no steam), slowly iron over the paper towel or bag. The wax will lift from the carpet and absorb into the paper. Repeat the process until the wax is gone, repositioning the towel or bag as needed.
4. Clean the carpet
Once the wax is gone, you might still have residue or discoloration from the spill. Spray on a carpet cleaner (Folex Instant Spot Remover is one of our favorites), and let sit for five minutes. Then use a microfiber cloth to blot the stain until it’s gone.
FAQs About Removing Candle Wax
How do I get candle wax out of carpet without an iron?
If you don’t have an iron, you can heat up the wax with a hairdryer. Place a paper towel over the stain. Set your hairdryer on medium, and blow it on the towel. The wax should heat and absorb into the paper the same as it would with an iron. Press on the paper towel to blot on the wax as needed.
How do I get dried candle wax out of carpet?
If you discover the wax a few days after the spill and it’s already hardened, that actually makes your job easier. You can skip the ice step and go straight to scraping. Scrape away as much hardened wax as you can with a butter knife. Then continue on to step three.
Originally Published: February 16, 2022
