How to Remove Beeswax

Even if you purchase the highest quality 100 percent beeswax candles--which are normally drip-free--you can still have the occasional spill. No matter how careful you are, beeswax can still end up on your tablecloth, candlesticks, floors, furniture or carpet. Luckily, the wax is easy to remove with these tips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Iron Brown paper bags Lighter fluid Tissues Butter knife Paper towels Baking soda Vacuum cleaner Hair dryer Clean cloths Household sponge Lemon oil Fabric softener sheets White vinegar Isopropyl alcohol Cotton balls
Iron
Brown paper bags
Lighter fluid
Tissues
Butter knife
Paper towels
Baking soda
Vacuum cleaner
Hair dryer
Clean cloths
Household sponge
Lemon oil
Fabric softener sheets
White vinegar
Isopropyl alcohol
Cotton balls

Step 1

Remove beeswax from fabric by melting it out. Position a brown paper bag on both sides of the material, ensuring the wax spill is completely covered. Set your iron on the lowest setting and pass it over the paper several times, but do not linger in any particular area. When the wax warms up, it will melt and become absorbed by the paper. As the bag becomes saturated, reposition it on the material and keep ironing until no wax deposits remain. Any stains which stay on the fabric can be removed by rubbing the discoloration with a bit of lighter fluid and blotting away with a tissue. Wash the fabric as usual once you have finished treating it.

Step 2

Get beeswax out of the carpet by allowing it to harden and then scraping away the surplus wax with the serrated edge of a butter knife. Place a paper towel over the affected area and press a warm iron against the paper. Slowly move the iron in the general region of the spill. As you melt the beeswax with the iron, it will stick to the paper rather than the carpet. Move the towel around as you collect wax so that a clean portion of towel is always in contact with the spill. Once the wax has been removed, any oil that remains can be cleaned away by sprinkling baking soda over the stain. Allow the baking soda to remain in place for six to eight hours and then vacuum the remnants away.

Step 3

Clean beeswax off wood floors or furnishings by softening it with a hair dryer. Set the dryer to medium heat and aim the nozzle directly at the wax, holding the appliance approximately 6 inches above the spill. As the beeswax begins to melt, wipe it away with a dry cloth. Moisten a sponge with a bit of lemon oil and rub away any remaining grease or scraps of wax. Alternatively, wax can be removed from either wood or glass by polishing the affected area with a fabric softener sheet.

Step 4

Strip spilled wax from the walls by melting it with a hair dryer and wiping it away. For wallpaper, set the dryer to on its lowest setting.fFor paint or wood, use medium heat. Once the wax has been removed, blot away any remaining oil with a cotton ball that has been doused with isopropyl alcohol or spray the surface with a solution of ¼ cup vinegar mixed with ¾ cup water and pat dry with a paper towel.

Step 5

Eliminate excess beeswax from a candle holder by placing the holder into the freezer and leaving it for one to two hours. When you remove the candle holder, you should be able to peel the wax from the surface with your hands. If you would rather not freeze your candle holder, you can place it into a sink full of extremely hot water and wait for the wax to melt.

Tips & Warnings

Keep your beeswax candles away from fans, windows or vents when they are lit, as exposure to drafts can lead to drips. To reduce dripping, do not blow out your candles--extinguish them with a snuffer. If you don't have one, improvise by covering the flame with a shot glass until the wick burns out. Once you extinguish a candle, do not move it until the wax has had a chance to solidify.

Keep your beeswax candles away from fans, windows or vents when they are lit, as exposure to drafts can lead to drips.

To reduce dripping, do not blow out your candles--extinguish them with a snuffer. If you don't have one, improvise by covering the flame with a shot glass until the wick burns out.

Once you extinguish a candle, do not move it until the wax has had a chance to solidify.

Article Written By Lisa Parris

Lisa Parris is a freelance writer covering a variety of topics, particularly health and wellness. Her work has appeared in various publications including the "Journal of Comparative Parasitology" and "The Monterey County Herald." She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Peru State College.

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