Well, thank you all for your suggestions on how to best get candle wax and candle stains out of fabric. I got some great ideas, and got cracking to try and remove the mess that I made when I spilled a bunch of liquid wax all over my brand new table topper.
My first step was to scrape off as much of the cooled wax as I could. It all pretty much came right off, leaving a horrible greasy stain. Next, I cut up a brown grocery sack into about 14 squares. I placed an old diaper on my ironing board (to protect it) and put a piece of brown paper on each side of the table topper on top of the diaper. I heated my iron to high and started pressing. The wax had seaped right through all layers of the quilt top, so I had wax to remove-top, middle and bottom. You can see that the paper does indeed pick up the greasy wax when you iron it. Upper photo shows bottom of quilt, photo below shows the top.
I am beginning to feel hopeful seeing all that greasy wax coming up.
I did it over and over again, and the grease just kept coming up. And the stain remained, along with who knows how much more nasty grease.
I have one more grocery sack to cut up, and will repeat this process today.
One reader suggested a cleaning solvent called Lestoil, and I am going to order some and see if that will take the ugly stain out. It is heavy duty stuff, apparently, and people swear by it for removing grease marks.
And if that doesn't work, I have two options: cover the stain with a decorative object or tea dye the whole top. Can you tell I am so disappointed that this happened? Blah.
62 responses to “Oh Blah”
I think you could also try shampoo. It removes grease from hair so if you put some on the stain and let it sit for awhile and them wash out, it should remove some of the stain, maybe all. Good luck.
I think you could also try shampoo. It removes grease from hair so if you put some on the stain and let it sit for awhile and them wash out, it should remove some of the stain, maybe all. Good luck.
I thought of Dawn dish detergent. I’ve never tried it on candle wax but it is used to clean up oil spills. You would apply it directly to the stain then throw the quilt in the washing machine.
I thought of Dawn dish detergent. I’ve never tried it on candle wax but it is used to clean up oil spills. You would apply it directly to the stain then throw the quilt in the washing machine.
I’m so sorry this happened to your beautiful quilt. But thank you so much for sharing your solution. It is good to know, as things WILL happen in spite of our best efforts. Good luck with the remaining work.
I’m so sorry this happened to your beautiful quilt. But thank you so much for sharing your solution. It is good to know, as things WILL happen in spite of our best efforts. Good luck with the remaining work.
I’m thinking that dye would not take the same on the spot where the candle grease is, so you would still have a noticeable spot. Keep working at it, get as much out as you can, wash it, and if necessary cover the spot with a plant or the culprit, the candle! The topper is beautiful!
I’m thinking that dye would not take the same on the spot where the candle grease is, so you would still have a noticeable spot. Keep working at it, get as much out as you can, wash it, and if necessary cover the spot with a plant or the culprit, the candle! The topper is beautiful!
I am so sorry that this happened. I hope it comes out for you!
I am so sorry that this happened. I hope it comes out for you!
dawn and vinegar would be another step. Because fabric has a “weave”, you need to scrub the dawn into the fabric with an old tooth brush or nail brush. After allowing that to soak for a few hours, then soak it in some vinegar and rub it around.
dawn and vinegar would be another step. Because fabric has a “weave”, you need to scrub the dawn into the fabric with an old tooth brush or nail brush. After allowing that to soak for a few hours, then soak it in some vinegar and rub it around.
Whenever I spill grease or oil on my shirts, I use OOPS All Purpose Stain Remover to get it out. It stinks, but it does get the stain out. I generally have to wash the shirt several times to remove the smell (and I also wash in cold water), but it’s saved both mine and my husband’s wardrobes. (I should probably make us both bibs!)
Whenever I spill grease or oil on my shirts, I use OOPS All Purpose Stain Remover to get it out. It stinks, but it does get the stain out. I generally have to wash the shirt several times to remove the smell (and I also wash in cold water), but it’s saved both mine and my husband’s wardrobes. (I should probably make us both bibs!)
I just want to add that vinegar and baking soda can be used together and are natural fabric softeners. Since you had to use heat on the stain it’s now set in so softening the fabric allows the cleaning agent to get into places that the stain has settled and “might” help to remove it.
I just want to add that vinegar and baking soda can be used together and are natural fabric softeners. Since you had to use heat on the stain it’s now set in so softening the fabric allows the cleaning agent to get into places that the stain has settled and “might” help to remove it.
I once pricked my finger with a pin in the white square dead in the middle of my large completed flimsy on my design wall – bright red blood. I finally ended up using a Tide pen and then a Clorox pen. I panicked, called people, all sorts of things. I think you are on to the answer with all the above suggestions. At least your quilt is finished so you can wash it at some point. We make so many quilts, lots of little stories along the way, but you will remember this doozie for sure. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving. Your guests will probably be too busy to notice.
I once pricked my finger with a pin in the white square dead in the middle of my large completed flimsy on my design wall – bright red blood. I finally ended up using a Tide pen and then a Clorox pen. I panicked, called people, all sorts of things. I think you are on to the answer with all the above suggestions. At least your quilt is finished so you can wash it at some point. We make so many quilts, lots of little stories along the way, but you will remember this doozie for sure. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving. Your guests will probably be too busy to notice.
So frustrating!
So frustrating!
Try Dawn and hot water. Dawn is for grease so it might work. You are not alone, I’ve done this several times to tablerunners I have. Good luck!
Try Dawn and hot water. Dawn is for grease so it might work. You are not alone, I’ve done this several times to tablerunners I have. Good luck!
Share where you find Lestoil please. I always bought it at my grocery store and kept it in the laundry room and it removed all grease spots from clothing. Since I can no longer find it, I keep a bottle of Dawn in the laundry room and although it sometimes takes more than one washing, it does eventually get the grease stain out. Good luck. Keep us updated.
Share where you find Lestoil please. I always bought it at my grocery store and kept it in the laundry room and it removed all grease spots from clothing. Since I can no longer find it, I keep a bottle of Dawn in the laundry room and although it sometimes takes more than one washing, it does eventually get the grease stain out. Good luck. Keep us updated.
If you cannot get the stain out, did you ever consider appliquéing the same pattern shapes over that one area (hopefully you still have enough of your original fabric to do so). If you machine quilted with the same pattern after the appliqué it may not be too noticeable.
If you cannot get the stain out, did you ever consider appliquéing the same pattern shapes over that one area (hopefully you still have enough of your original fabric to do so). If you machine quilted with the same pattern after the appliqué it may not be too noticeable.
Agree with the soda and vinegar but try a bit of spare fabric first for colour fastness. I don’t know if you have Chomp in the US but that works well. Hope you get it out.
Agree with the soda and vinegar but try a bit of spare fabric first for colour fastness. I don’t know if you have Chomp in the US but that works well. Hope you get it out.
Since this happened to me, I now put a nice decorative plate under all my candles or a large plate, just as extra insurance. I hope you get the stain out…..or you could tea dye it to match the stain and it would look primitive.
Since this happened to me, I now put a nice decorative plate under all my candles or a large plate, just as extra insurance. I hope you get the stain out…..or you could tea dye it to match the stain and it would look primitive.
I feel your pain. I’m so sorry this happened to such beautiful fabric. 🙁
It could be worse…the wax could have fallen on your new carpet($$), or on new clothes($$) or on baby e or grandpa. Have a peaceful weekend and let the stress go. xo, me
I feel your pain. I’m so sorry this happened to such beautiful fabric. 🙁
It could be worse…the wax could have fallen on your new carpet($$), or on new clothes($$) or on baby e or grandpa. Have a peaceful weekend and let the stress go. xo, me
I use Pinesol straight from the bottle to remove grease stains. Rub it into the stain and rinse with water after the stain disappears. I buy it at Walmart or Kroger.
I use Pinesol straight from the bottle to remove grease stains. Rub it into the stain and rinse with water after the stain disappears. I buy it at Walmart or Kroger.
Try the Oxi clean. I recently spilled a half glass of red wine on my beige carpet. After dousing it with salt, I tried vinegar and dish soap, Folex spot remover, and a few other things I found online. Finally, after a few more blottings, the Oxi clean took the stain out. So sorry this happened, especially so close to your Thanksgiving.
Try the Oxi clean. I recently spilled a half glass of red wine on my beige carpet. After dousing it with salt, I tried vinegar and dish soap, Folex spot remover, and a few other things I found online. Finally, after a few more blottings, the Oxi clean took the stain out. So sorry this happened, especially so close to your Thanksgiving.
OUCH !!
OUCH !!
For grease stains I use 1 part blue Dawn dish liquid and 2 parts Hydrogen peroxide. It is the greatest stain remover and gets the grease off of my husbands shirts when he spills. Give it a try.
For grease stains I use 1 part blue Dawn dish liquid and 2 parts Hydrogen peroxide. It is the greatest stain remover and gets the grease off of my husbands shirts when he spills. Give it a try.
Try Zout.stain remover. Can be purchased at Target. I have used this stain remover forever. It evens removes grease stains that have been there forever.
Try Zout.stain remover. Can be purchased at Target. I have used this stain remover forever. It evens removes grease stains that have been there forever.
Am back home from our wonderful trip to Memphis and am playing catch-up.
Sorry about the wax stain from the candle and hope some of these suggestions work to get the remaining stain out. The grocery bag and iron certainly did a good job for some of the stain.
I have read that tea dye is bad for fabric since tea is an acid (tannic acid) and that actual fabric dye is safe for fabrics as you’d imagine it would be.
Hugs!
Am back home from our wonderful trip to Memphis and am playing catch-up.
Sorry about the wax stain from the candle and hope some of these suggestions work to get the remaining stain out. The grocery bag and iron certainly did a good job for some of the stain.
I have read that tea dye is bad for fabric since tea is an acid (tannic acid) and that actual fabric dye is safe for fabrics as you’d imagine it would be.
Hugs!
I would be disappointed too:( Keep at it, it’s looking pretty good compared to yesterday’s picture!
I would be disappointed too:( Keep at it, it’s looking pretty good compared to yesterday’s picture!
As badly as it makes you feel…and as much as we all feel your pain…after I read Ina’s comment above I have to say she’s right! It could have been far worse! Hope it’s resolved soon but try to let the stress go!
As badly as it makes you feel…and as much as we all feel your pain…after I read Ina’s comment above I have to say she’s right! It could have been far worse! Hope it’s resolved soon but try to let the stress go!
I was going to suggest Lestoil too as I have worked wonders on grease with that. They sell right in grocery store here in the Northeast.
I was going to suggest Lestoil too as I have worked wonders on grease with that. They sell right in grocery store here in the Northeast.
I would go to target and get so e Zout. It took iron on fusible off of a white onesie for me. And I use it on all stains. It keeps the colors in your fabrics.
I would go to target and get so e Zout. It took iron on fusible off of a white onesie for me. And I use it on all stains. It keeps the colors in your fabrics.
Im so bummed for you, that was such a pretty runner :(. Sending happy thoughts that you will get that stubborn stain out:)
Im so bummed for you, that was such a pretty runner :(. Sending happy thoughts that you will get that stubborn stain out:)
I recently found a helpful tip on Pinterest about using Dawn platinum erasing dish foam to remove greasy stains. I had a shirt that had been splattered with grease and gone through the laundry with no luck. I tried some of this Dawn and bingo, no more grease stain. Here’s a link for what to look for: http://www.soap.com/p/dawn-ultra-platinum-dishwashing-foam-fresh-rapids-10-15-pz-2-pack-215904?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_S&utm_term=PG-2994B&utm_campaign=GoogleAW&CAWELAID=1323199847&utm_content=pla&adtype=pla&cagpspn=pla#
I recently found a helpful tip on Pinterest about using Dawn platinum erasing dish foam to remove greasy stains. I had a shirt that had been splattered with grease and gone through the laundry with no luck. I tried some of this Dawn and bingo, no more grease stain. Here’s a link for what to look for: http://www.soap.com/p/dawn-ultra-platinum-dishwashing-foam-fresh-rapids-10-15-pz-2-pack-215904?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_S&utm_term=PG-2994B&utm_campaign=GoogleAW&CAWELAID=1323199847&utm_content=pla&adtype=pla&cagpspn=pla#
I didn’t read all the comments, so hope I’m not repeating, but if you do tea dye, remember the waxy area might not match up anyhow. It would be hard to get it right and the waxy area probably won’t even take in any of the tea dye. Just a thought.
Also I use dish soap (no bleach) on most of my grease stains with fab results.
I’m pullin’ for ya!!
I didn’t read all the comments, so hope I’m not repeating, but if you do tea dye, remember the waxy area might not match up anyhow. It would be hard to get it right and the waxy area probably won’t even take in any of the tea dye. Just a thought.
Also I use dish soap (no bleach) on most of my grease stains with fab results.
I’m pullin’ for ya!!
Just a thought…you might want to stain a leftover piece of fabric from your table topper with the candle wax. Then pre-test the different cleaning techniques to determine which one gives the best result with least effort and abuse to the fabric.
Just a thought…you might want to stain a leftover piece of fabric from your table topper with the candle wax. Then pre-test the different cleaning techniques to determine which one gives the best result with least effort and abuse to the fabric.
You could also try Shout Gel with brush top. I have left the gel on overnight on greasy stains and they usually come out. Yours is quite large but it might work and is more gentle than some of the other suggestions.
You could also try Shout Gel with brush top. I have left the gel on overnight on greasy stains and they usually come out. Yours is quite large but it might work and is more gentle than some of the other suggestions.