Candles are a great addition to any table setting, no matter the occasion. They can dress up a midweek meal or add the finishing touch to a special occasion. Candles are especially helpful when the power is out!

Accidents happen, and sometimes wax can drop onto your linens. Knowing how to remove candle wax from your linens will save you a lot of hassle and protect your linens from damage.

How to Remove Candle Wax From Your Linens

Dry cleaning fabric that's been stained by wax is always a surefire way to remove these stubborn stains. However, you can clean wax stained linen at home just as easily!

These tips work for your linens as well as clothing. Delicate fabrics, silk, and antiques should be taken to a dry cleaner.

You Will Need:

• Iron
• Dull knife
• Kraft paper (any plain brown paper such as a paper grocery bag will also work)

Method:

1. Allow the candle wax to completely solidify.
2. Use a dull knife to carefully scrape away as much surface wax as possible. Don't use a sharp knife, as you can poke holes in the fabric - especially delicate fabrics!
3. Once you have scraped off as much of the surface wax as you can, place a sheet of kraft paper underneath and on top of the stain.
4. Turn your iron onto the lowest setting and run the iron over the affected area. The heat will draw out the oil from the fabric. Adjust the paper as needed.
5. Optional: Treat the area with prewash treatment or stain remover and launder the fabric according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
6. If the stain persists, you may need to take the item to the dry cleaner.

Alternative Methods

No iron? No problem! There are other methods to remove wax stains from your linens.

1. Add baking soda to water (about 5 - 6 teaspoons per gallon). Boil this water, and then dip your clothing into it to remove the wax. You may need to soak it for a few minutes.
2. If your fabric is not delicate or fragile, you can put the item into the freezer for 30 minutes to cool the wax down more quickly and make it brittle. It may also be easier to remove the surface parts of the wax with this method.
3. For small stains, you can rub a dollop of vegetable oil onto the stain, treat with prewash solution, and then launder as normal.

If your wax-stained linen is an antique or very delicate, then it’s best to take it to a dry cleaner in order to prevent further damage.

Linen Store

The sooner you are able to clean wax off your linens, the better chance you will have at getting the wax stain out! However, it’s not always possible to get to a wax stain right away. If it’s in an unusual spot, you may not even notice it immediately!

If you need a replacement placemat, tablecloth, or throw, then look no further than Linen Store. We have a wide variety of linens to choose from so that you can find the perfect fit for your home.