I just had gotten the binding sewn on my new Clover table topper. I was laying it out on the counter. Do you see that horrible spill? No it isn't cat barf. That would have been preferable. It is candle wax. The candle in the upper right of the photo tipped over and the wax spilled all over the quilt.
Help. Thanksgiving is one week away, my beautiful new table topper hasn't even been used yet and it may be ruined.
Do any of you have tips for getting wax and the resulting stains out of fabric? Please?
50 responses to “Tragedy”
In college, we dripped red candle wax on the grey carpet and we got it mostly out by putting a paper towel on top, then ironing at a low temp. Once the paper towel has soaked up the first bit, you will have to replace it with a clean one. It worked well enough for us that we didn’t lose our security deposit 🙂
In college, we dripped red candle wax on the grey carpet and we got it mostly out by putting a paper towel on top, then ironing at a low temp. Once the paper towel has soaked up the first bit, you will have to replace it with a clean one. It worked well enough for us that we didn’t lose our security deposit 🙂
I was going to suggest the ironing/paper towel method too. If there is thick wax on it, I would first put it in the freezer to get it hard and see if you can break/scrape that off first, then proceed with the iron. Good luck!
I was going to suggest the ironing/paper towel method too. If there is thick wax on it, I would first put it in the freezer to get it hard and see if you can break/scrape that off first, then proceed with the iron. Good luck!
I had thought about hardening the wax. I hope the solutions work for you.
I had thought about hardening the wax. I hope the solutions work for you.
Freezer first, then the iron. If you go to an art shop you can buy old fashioned blotting paper (white of course) used for caligraphy. That is much better than kitchen towel and use lots of it.
Here is what Dharma writes concerning removal of wax when making batik:
>>Wax removal can be accomplished in one of four ways:
Take it to the dry cleaners and let them get it out. (Some won’t do it for you)
Boil the wax out. This is the oldest form of batik wax removal. Choose a pot that will comfortably hold your fabric and fill with water and a dash of Synthrapol to get the wax and any remaining excess dye away from the fabric. Bring to a simmer/boil and add fabric. Use something to stir the fabric around in the boiling water and keep it submerged. After a few minutes, the wax will boil out of the fabric and float to the top. When the wax seems completely removed from the fabric, remove from heat and allow the water to cool. Be sure that the fabric sits on the bottom of the pan, avoiding the floating wax residue. Allow to cool and peel the hardened wax off the surface and remove the fabric. In Indonesia, people skim the hot melted wax off the boiling vats with big perforated ladles. Whatever works!
Iron the wax out. This is also a traditional wax removal process. The fabric is sandwiched between layers of absorbent paper such as Newsprint and heat is applied by iron, to melt the wax out. This process often leaves a wax residue (looks like a grease spot) that is very difficult to remove, so it is not recommended.
Use hot tap water. Hang the finished piece on a line. Attach a hose to a hot water spigot, turn your water heater up all the way and run hot water over the piece to melt the wax off. A collection tub should be placed under the fabric to catch the wax and water.<< HTH Maga
Freezer first, then the iron. If you go to an art shop you can buy old fashioned blotting paper (white of course) used for caligraphy. That is much better than kitchen towel and use lots of it.
Here is what Dharma writes concerning removal of wax when making batik:
>>Wax removal can be accomplished in one of four ways:
Take it to the dry cleaners and let them get it out. (Some won’t do it for you)
Boil the wax out. This is the oldest form of batik wax removal. Choose a pot that will comfortably hold your fabric and fill with water and a dash of Synthrapol to get the wax and any remaining excess dye away from the fabric. Bring to a simmer/boil and add fabric. Use something to stir the fabric around in the boiling water and keep it submerged. After a few minutes, the wax will boil out of the fabric and float to the top. When the wax seems completely removed from the fabric, remove from heat and allow the water to cool. Be sure that the fabric sits on the bottom of the pan, avoiding the floating wax residue. Allow to cool and peel the hardened wax off the surface and remove the fabric. In Indonesia, people skim the hot melted wax off the boiling vats with big perforated ladles. Whatever works!
Iron the wax out. This is also a traditional wax removal process. The fabric is sandwiched between layers of absorbent paper such as Newsprint and heat is applied by iron, to melt the wax out. This process often leaves a wax residue (looks like a grease spot) that is very difficult to remove, so it is not recommended.
Use hot tap water. Hang the finished piece on a line. Attach a hose to a hot water spigot, turn your water heater up all the way and run hot water over the piece to melt the wax off. A collection tub should be placed under the fabric to catch the wax and water.<< HTH Maga
When you have taken the table topper out of the freezer and picked off the candlewax – use glycerol at the stain – leave it there for some hours – and rinse it well with soap and water,and eventually try it once more.
This advice I got from a grand old lady working with textiles at a museum – for all kind of spots!
I have used glycerol for years on textiles with spots that does not disapper with normal washing.
If you are afraid of using this advice or the other ones, make a sanwich of the same fabric – use the same candle and try the different metodes.
With my very best wishes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerol
When you have taken the table topper out of the freezer and picked off the candlewax – use glycerol at the stain – leave it there for some hours – and rinse it well with soap and water,and eventually try it once more.
This advice I got from a grand old lady working with textiles at a museum – for all kind of spots!
I have used glycerol for years on textiles with spots that does not disapper with normal washing.
If you are afraid of using this advice or the other ones, make a sanwich of the same fabric – use the same candle and try the different metodes.
With my very best wishes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerol
I LOVE the last suggestion. I was going to say after freezing and picking…try an “Oxiclean”, “Resolve” or Lysol cleaner soak. Wishing you luck!
I LOVE the last suggestion. I was going to say after freezing and picking…try an “Oxiclean”, “Resolve” or Lysol cleaner soak. Wishing you luck!
. . . the way I have gotten candle wax out of my tablecloths is to put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes . . . then peel off what you can . . . then I put wax paper on it and iron the wax paper . . . you may have to change the wax paper a few times . . . the wax in the wax paper will absorb the wax on the fabric . . .
this has always worked for me . . . but I’m concerned about the color of your wax . . . that might leave a stain and then I’m not sure how to deal with that . . . maybe someone else does . . . although Shout usually works for me on clothes . . .
Good Luck !!
. . . the way I have gotten candle wax out of my tablecloths is to put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes . . . then peel off what you can . . . then I put wax paper on it and iron the wax paper . . . you may have to change the wax paper a few times . . . the wax in the wax paper will absorb the wax on the fabric . . .
this has always worked for me . . . but I’m concerned about the color of your wax . . . that might leave a stain and then I’m not sure how to deal with that . . . maybe someone else does . . . although Shout usually works for me on clothes . . .
Good Luck !!
If nothing else works can you just replace those few squares that are affected or applique over top. Wishing you luck hope you can get the wax off.
If nothing else works can you just replace those few squares that are affected or applique over top. Wishing you luck hope you can get the wax off.
I googled “removing candle was from fabric” and got oodles of hits. You might try it and see which one appeals to you.
I googled “removing candle was from fabric” and got oodles of hits. You might try it and see which one appeals to you.
Freezer, get as much as you can off first. Then if you used cotton thread and not poly thread or batting, I would boil water and pour it from the back side, over the wax area. Making sure to not let wax go down the drain. I’m not sure any of us have a pot large enough to boil the whole thing in, so I would try this. If you used poly or nylon anything I have no idea what to do, maybe try dry cleaning solvent.
Freezer, get as much as you can off first. Then if you used cotton thread and not poly thread or batting, I would boil water and pour it from the back side, over the wax area. Making sure to not let wax go down the drain. I’m not sure any of us have a pot large enough to boil the whole thing in, so I would try this. If you used poly or nylon anything I have no idea what to do, maybe try dry cleaning solvent.
I have no more words of wisdom for you, there seems to be plenty ahead of me; just an “Aagggg” of horror in solidarity with you over this.
I hope you have complete success with removing the wax–do let us know.
I have no more words of wisdom for you, there seems to be plenty ahead of me; just an “Aagggg” of horror in solidarity with you over this.
I hope you have complete success with removing the wax–do let us know.
If a stain remains, applique a heart there…
If a stain remains, applique a heart there…
It looks like you have a lot of suggestions. Don’t you just feel awful when something like that happens?! I ‘m crossing my fingers and toes it gets cleaned up.
It looks like you have a lot of suggestions. Don’t you just feel awful when something like that happens?! I ‘m crossing my fingers and toes it gets cleaned up.
I have always put item in freezer, picked off hard wax and then used low setting on an iron and a brown paper bag from the grocery store. Tear open the bag and put on wax and iron, the bag absorbs the wax so keep moving the bag. Hope it works!
I have always put item in freezer, picked off hard wax and then used low setting on an iron and a brown paper bag from the grocery store. Tear open the bag and put on wax and iron, the bag absorbs the wax so keep moving the bag. Hope it works!
Freeze it and it will harden quicker and you can peel it off.
Freeze it and it will harden quicker and you can peel it off.
I’m so sorry that this happened. You have gotten lots of advice. I would just add that whatever you try, recreate the “crime” on a scrap piece and do it first to see if it works or makes it worse. Good luck!
I’m so sorry that this happened. You have gotten lots of advice. I would just add that whatever you try, recreate the “crime” on a scrap piece and do it first to see if it works or makes it worse. Good luck!
No one has mentioned Lest oil. It is an organic solvent that I’ve used to remove very difficult stains. I apply it to the stain, then set it outside in the garage because it smells so bad. I let it sit for several hours, sometimes applying more. Then I wash the item. It may take 2 washes to remove the Lest oil smell, but I’ve not met a stain it will not remove, but it is always my last resort after I’ve tried all the above. I used to cater weddings and had to clean all sorts of gunk off my white tablecloths.
No one has mentioned Lest oil. It is an organic solvent that I’ve used to remove very difficult stains. I apply it to the stain, then set it outside in the garage because it smells so bad. I let it sit for several hours, sometimes applying more. Then I wash the item. It may take 2 washes to remove the Lest oil smell, but I’ve not met a stain it will not remove, but it is always my last resort after I’ve tried all the above. I used to cater weddings and had to clean all sorts of gunk off my white tablecloths.
AAAAACCCCKKKKKKKKK!!!! You must be sick after that accident! I’ll add my 2 cents worth & say contact the Hints From Heloise Hotline! That girl has it together!! Wishing you an easy fix! (I say cover it with a dish & use it anyhow!!)
AAAAACCCCKKKKKKKKK!!!! You must be sick after that accident! I’ll add my 2 cents worth & say contact the Hints From Heloise Hotline! That girl has it together!! Wishing you an easy fix! (I say cover it with a dish & use it anyhow!!)
Once you get the wax out, if it has a bit of a stain, tea dye the whole piece. You will be the only one to notice this, Lots of good advice already given. Post what you did and how it turned out.
Once you get the wax out, if it has a bit of a stain, tea dye the whole piece. You will be the only one to notice this, Lots of good advice already given. Post what you did and how it turned out.
I’m soooo sorry it wasn’t cat barf! (Never thought I would use that sentence in my lifetime)
I’m soooo sorry it wasn’t cat barf! (Never thought I would use that sentence in my lifetime)
DON’T use newsprint. Use the plain parts of a grocery sack to absorb the wax. You don’t want anything else to stain the fabric.
DON’T use newsprint. Use the plain parts of a grocery sack to absorb the wax. You don’t want anything else to stain the fabric.
Take heart Nicole, i spilled wax on a fall table runner as well. I froze it, scraped off what I could, washed in hot soapy water, dried it and ironed it with the wax side down onto an old dish towel. I ironed, then moved it to a clean spot on the towel and kept repeating until it all transferred to the towel. I can’t even spot where it happened.
Take heart Nicole, i spilled wax on a fall table runner as well. I froze it, scraped off what I could, washed in hot soapy water, dried it and ironed it with the wax side down onto an old dish towel. I ironed, then moved it to a clean spot on the towel and kept repeating until it all transferred to the towel. I can’t even spot where it happened.
Be sure to let us know what worked/didn’t work for you.
Be sure to let us know what worked/didn’t work for you.
We used to use rubber cement thinner to remove sticky wax.
We used to use rubber cement thinner to remove sticky wax.
Oh my gosh Nicole! How horrible! I agree with the freezer method. My fingers are crossed for you!!!
Oh my gosh Nicole! How horrible! I agree with the freezer method. My fingers are crossed for you!!!