Rules on how to remove wax and candle stains from clothes

It is impossible to remove wax stains from clothes using regular laundry detergents. Careless handling of a candle, and a drop of paraffin instantly eats into the fibers of the fabric. What to do in such a situation? Do not rush to throw away the damaged item. There are enough tips on how to remove wax from clothes, using which you can save your favorite thing.

Removal depending on the type of tissue

Removing a paraffin stain from fabric is quite difficult. Unlike other stains, paraffin is best cleaned after it has completely dried. It is important to wait until the paraffin hardens, and then the resulting crust can be carefully scraped off with a blunt object. Also, depending on the type of fabric, you can choose another method for removing wax from clothing.

Synthetic

You can quickly get rid of a wax stain on clothing using hot water, but, unfortunately, synthetic fabrics cannot be washed at high temperatures (and especially not ironed with a very hot iron).

Several proven remedies will help solve the problem of how to remove wax from clothes made of synthetic fabrics:

1. Ammonia solution. To prepare it, mix one teaspoon of ammonia in a liter of clean water. Carefully apply the resulting mixture to the paraffin stain. Important: wet the fabric well, without sparing the product. After treatment, the item is washed;
2. Turpentine is a very effective product that helps remove paraffin from fabrics in a matter of minutes. Before cleaning candle wax from clothing, do not forget to put on rubber gloves. A cotton pad is generously moistened in turpentine and the stain on the fabric is thoroughly wiped. Afterwards, the items are washed in the normal washing machine mode. If the stain has become ingrained, then a cotton pad with turpentine is left on the paraffin stain for twenty (maximum thirty minutes);
3. Ethyl alcohol is an effective way to remove wax stains from clothing. All actions are simple: a cotton pad is generously moistened with ethyl alcohol, and then the stain from the candle is wiped with it. In just a few minutes, the item can be washed. Important: paraffin should not be rubbed vigorously on the fabric, all actions should be careful. Otherwise, the paraffin will smear and the stain will increase significantly in size;
4. Dishwashing liquid is a great solution to the problem of how to clean candle wax from clothes. Apply the liquid to the wax stain and leave it for twelve hours (at least overnight), then scrub off the residue.

What to do if colored wax gets on your clothes

It is quite difficult to rub wax off clothes if the candle is made of colored paraffin. The coloring pigment penetrates even deeper into the structure of the fabric under the influence of high temperatures. We quickly and effectively remove wax from clothes using cold. The item with the paraffin stain is placed in the freezer, after which the remains of the candle are carefully scraped off with a blunt object. The ingrained color stain is removed using special means.

Natural

It is easiest to clean natural fabrics from paraffin. Linen, cotton, denim, and calico tolerate fairly high temperatures very well.

There are several known ways to wash wax from clothes made from natural fabrics:

1. Select several plain cotton towels or napkins. Then place the fabric with the candle stain between two towels on the ironing board. Iron the resulting "sandwich" thoroughly with a hot iron. Change the towels as the paraffin is absorbed. After two or three changes, you can see the complete disappearance of the paraffin stain;
2. A hair dryer will help to quickly remove paraffin stains from natural fabrics. Cover the stain with a napkin and treat it with a stream of hot air from the hair dryer. The paraffin melts and is absorbed into the napkin. The procedure is repeated several times until the paraffin completely disappears;
3. Very hot water will help remove paraffin from thin natural fabrics. Place the stained item on a basin and pour hot water directly onto the stain. Under the influence of high temperature, the paraffin will melt and flow together with the water through the fibers.

Furs

How to remove wax from fur clothing while preserving its soft, silky texture? Cold will help. Simply place the wax-stained item in the freezer for thirty minutes (maximum one hour). Afterwards, the wax residue can be easily separated from the fur by hand or with a comb. Natural fur products are combed with very careful, smooth movements, lightly holding the pile at the base.

Greasy traces of paraffin are removed from fur with a napkin soaked in purified gasoline. Afterwards, the product is wiped with a clean cloth and dried in a ventilated place protected from direct sunlight.

Leather goods

The best method for removing wax from leather clothing is to place the item in the refrigerator. The item is wrapped in cellophane and placed in the freezer for several hours. After shock freezing, the paraffin easily comes off the leather surface of the item.

Greasy paraffin stains on skin are removed with a soda solution. To prepare it, add a teaspoon of soda to 100 ml of warm water. Rub the resulting solution onto the candle stain until foam forms, and then wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Suede

Delicate suede requires a special, delicate approach. Mistakes when cleaning clothes from wax can ruin them completely.

Several proven methods will help solve the problem of paraffin stains on the velvety surface of suede:

1. Hold the dirty item over the steam for a few minutes. The paraffin will gradually melt and flow off. The candle residue should be soaked with a napkin or a soft sponge. Important: all actions should be extremely careful. Under no circumstances should you rub the paraffin. This will hopelessly ruin the suede item;
2. Purified gasoline or turpentine is a good way to remove wax from clothing. Soak a soft cloth in gasoline and apply it to the paraffin stain for a few minutes (maximum half an hour). Then throw the cloth away and gently hand wash the suede item with soapy water;
3. A paste of soda is an effective way to get rid of wax stains on clothes. To prepare it, mix soda with water until it reaches the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply a small amount of the resulting product to the paraffin stain and leave until it dries completely. Then carefully scrape off the soda crust with a soft brush;
4. A universal remedy for removing candle wax from suede clothing is a mixture of purified gasoline, wine alcohol, and ammonia. The ingredients are mixed in a ratio of 5:1:3. The resulting solution is thoroughly moistened with a piece of rag, which is applied to the stain for several minutes. Then the item is washed using powder for delicate items. It is worth noting that this method is ideal not only for suede, but also for velvet items.

How to remove residue

After you have managed to clean the wax off your clothes, a new problem arises - a greasy paraffin stain. The following products will help remove it from fabrics: a solution of acetone, turpentine, kerosene, solvent, ammonia, and dishwashing detergent. It is enough to wet the greasy stain on the fabric with one of the listed products and let it dry. Then the item is washed in the usual mode.

Before using the solvent, be sure to test the fabric for dye fastness. Treat an inconspicuous area of ​​the product and see if the color has changed and if the fabric structure has been preserved. Only then can you use the solvent as an effective means of removing wax stains from fabrics.

Fresh stains are the best to remove. Within two or three days after they appear, the stain will have become embedded in the fabric fibers, and it will be much more difficult to remove (in some cases, impossible).

Secrets of the Master

Helpful tips on how to remove wax stains from clothes without ruining them:

1. Never try to remove wax drops from clothing as soon as they fall on the fabric. Lightly blot the liquid paraffin and let it harden. Only then can the candle residue be scraped off using a blunt object;
2. Remove wax stains from clothing from the edge to the center. This will prevent the paraffin from spreading all over the clothing;
3. Never heat paraffin before removing it from clothing (even if it is an old stain);
4. First, remove wax from clothing in an inconspicuous area;
5. You can speed up the removal of wax stains from clothing by placing the stained item in the freezer;
6. A few drops of vegetable oil will help to effectively remove wax stains from clothing after depilation.

By choosing the right methods and being careful, you can easily remove wax stains from your favorite wardrobe items.

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