Removing Wax Stains from Carpet

Now that we've talked so much about how to remove red wine stains from carpets, you're probably wondering if there are any home remedies for carpet cleaning that we haven't mentioned yet. There are also some helpful tips on how to remove wax stains from carpets.

Table of Contents

• Clean Candle Wax with Blotting Paper
• Removing Candle Wax with Cold
• More Home Remedies for Wax Stains

We’ve already discussed carpet cleaning with shaving cream and various other tricks in detail here. I’ve been particularly taken with red wine so far. For many people, sipping red wine in a cozy setting often goes hand in hand with romantic candlelight. But then it can happen that afterward you realize: The evening was lovely, but how am I supposed to remove the spilled wax from the carpet?

The easiest way to do this is probably with good old blotting paper. In a pinch, you can also use paper towels or a paper coffee filter. Place the paper over the stain and run an iron—set to a moderate temperature—over it until the wax is completely absorbed by the paper. Keep in mind that you should set the temperature to no higher than 40 degrees to avoid damaging the carpet. Be especially careful when using this method on delicate fibers. Colored candles may leave dye residue on the carpet even after the wax has been removed. You can gently remove this residue with mineral spirits.

If you're worried that your carpet might not withstand the somewhat rough treatment with an iron, try the cold method to remove wax stains from the carpet. To do this, use an ice pack from the freezer or several ice cubes that you place in a freezer bag. Place the bag or ice cubes on the stain and wait for the wax to freeze. This will make it very brittle, and you should be able to carefully scrape it off with a smooth knife. Again, treat any discoloration with mineral spirits.

If none of these methods work for you, why not try a pair of women’s nylon stockings? Put on a work glove and rub the wax stain vigorously with a crumpled nylon stocking. As you know, friction generates heat. This heat melts the wax, which is also absorbed by the stocking. Don’t be too timid—you’ll need to rub vigorously to melt the wax, which has a melting point of 40 degrees.