How to Get Candle Wax Out of Clothes
By Dawn, Founder of Tenfire
Spilled wax? Don’t panic. Whether you knocked a lit candle over or a few drops landed on your jumper while trimming the wick, wax stains aren’t permanent. With a bit of care, you can usually get candle wax out of fabric—without ruining your favourite outfit.
This quick guide walks you through the steps, explains what to avoid, and offers tips from the Tenfire studio.
✅ TL;DR – Can You Remove Candle Wax from Clothing?
- Yes, you can usually remove wax from clothes with a bit of patience
- Let the wax harden before trying to clean it
- Use heat (like an iron and paper towel) to lift it out
- Fragrance oil stains may need extra treatment
- Avoid scrubbing or hot water too soon—it’ll make it worse
1. First Things First: Don’t Rub It
If you rub or blot fresh wax, it’ll just push it deeper into the fibres. The trick is to let it fully harden first—otherwise you risk spreading the stain.
2. Freeze or Harden the Wax
You can speed this part up by placing the clothing in the freezer for 15–20 minutes or pressing a bag of ice against the wax. Once it’s brittle, it becomes much easier to remove.
3. Gently Scrape the Surface
Use something blunt like a butter knife to lift away the hardened wax. Be careful not to damage delicate fabrics, and only scrape off what comes easily.
4. Use Heat to Lift the Wax
Place a paper towel (or brown paper bag) over the remaining wax and press with a warm iron. The heat draws the wax into the paper. Move the paper to a clean spot and repeat until no more transfers.
5. Tackle Any Residue
Some waxes—especially scented ones—contain oils that leave behind a greasy mark. A dab of stain remover or mild washing-up liquid can help here. Let it sit, then wash as normal.
6. What About Coloured or Fragranced Wax?
Darker wax colours and fragrance oils may leave more visible traces. You can try treating these like an oil-based stain. If the item is delicate or expensive, it’s always worth taking it to a professional cleaner.
7. Final Tips from Dawn
We’ve had our fair share of wax mishaps in the Tenfire studio! Soy wax is a bit easier to clean up than paraffin, and as always—testing on an inconspicuous area first never hurts. If in doubt, don’t rush it. Wax takes a bit of coaxing to come out, but most fabrics can be rescued.
