Wax marks on outerwear, including jackets, are removed using a variety of improvised and professional means. The choice of method depends on the quality of the wax and the type of material.
Before you begin the cleaning procedure, it is also recommended that you become familiar with the possible limitations of the proposed methods and the nuances of cleansing.
We'll tell you in this article how to remove wax or paraffin from a candle from a jacket at home.
On a note
- You can begin removing paraffin only after it has completely hardened. The substance is quickly absorbed and rubbing a fresh stain will cause it to increase. It is best to blot the still hot wax with a napkin.
- For the production of candles, a material with a dense and greasy texture is used. It does not dissolve with water, so regular washing will not remove the wax.
- The longer paraffin remains on the fabric, the deeper it penetrates the fibers and the larger the oil stain will be. Therefore, you need to act quickly.
- The effect of the solvent and stain remover must first be checked on the wrong side or on the waistband so as not to disturb the color or get streaks.
- Often, after removing the wax, a trace of oil is visible on the clothes. You can remove it with known anti-greasy stain products. If the item is dry, then sprinkle the print with talcum powder and leave for half an hour. The powder is shaken off and the contaminated area is washed. Dish gel, vodka or alcohol will successfully remove the stain. All that remains is to wash the item in the usual way.
- White clothes made from natural fibers can be soaked in “Whiteness” to remove candle marks. The area with the imprint on the colored fabric is soaked in vinegar for half an hour. In case of severe contamination, a small amount of citric acid is added to it.
- It is better to remove wax residues from fabric with a toothbrush, because its bristles are the smoothest and do not disturb the structure of the material.
Removing wax from natural fabrics
Wax can be easily removed from natural materials such as cotton, linen or calico. To do this, you will need an iron, a piece of cotton cloth and ordinary napkins. Spread the product with drops on the surface with the wrong side up. Place several napkins under the contaminated area, cover the top with napkins and then with a cloth. Run a hot iron over the stain, heated to the maximum permissible temperature for this type of fabric. Turn off the steam supply. The wax will melt and be absorbed into the underlying material. If marks are still noticeable, replace the paper with clean paper and repeat the steps.
When the wax is colored
The hot iron method is not suitable for colored candles. At high temperatures, the dye is absorbed into the fabric and is almost impossible to remove. To remove colored wax from clothes and tablecloths, it is better to use an industrial stain remover or one of the following methods.
- Leave the item in the cold and scrape off the hardened mass. Treat the trace with borax and then with a mixture of salt and citric acid to remove stains. Rinse off any remaining product with water and wash clothes.
- Treat a stain on a light-colored fabric with hydrogen peroxide or a mixture of soda and citric acid.
- Dense material can be washed with plenty of hot water.
- In such cases, ammonia helps well and does not damage the fabric.
Tips on the topic
When cleaning outerwear, it is important to remember some nuances of using anti-wax products:
- when using a new drug, a trial test should be carried out on an inconspicuous area of the jacket;
- colored wax is first removed using a degreasing method and then with a suitable stain remover;
- large-scale contamination is treated, moving from the periphery of the stain to the center;
- for mechanical removal of volumetric influx, only blunt scrapers and spatulas should be used;
- If a wax drop is detected, you should immediately begin cleaning, because... removing old stains is much more difficult;
- After processing the wax marks, it is recommended to wash the jacket manually or automatically.
If the product cannot be cleaned normally or is made from expensive fabric, then it is better to have it dry cleaned.
Useful information about ways to clean wax from various surfaces is in this section.
Methods for cleaning synthetic materials
For synthetic fabric, the method with a heated iron is suitable, but you need to act with extreme caution, setting the heating regulator to the “synthetic” position.
Hot water will help remove candle stains on materials for which ironing is contraindicated. The soiled item should be immersed in water heated to 50-70⁰C for 2 minutes. After this, remove any remaining paraffin with a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing the stain so that it does not become difficult to remove. If the first attempt does not bring the desired result, the procedure should be repeated.
You can get rid of wax marks on synthetics and raincoat fabric using solvents. For example, purified gasoline, acetone or turpentine. Moisten a cotton swab or cloth with the substance and blot the stain. If heavily soiled, leave the swab on the cloth for half an hour. Finish by washing clothes in a warm, soapy solution.
In some cases, alcohol helps remove wax from polyester. Blot the stain several times with a cotton napkin soaked in it.
Hot water
There is another way to apply heat to a paraffin or wax stain. This is a hot water treatment.
- Heat water in a kettle or draw hot water from a tap.
- Use someone's help to stretch the stained cloth over the bathtub or sink. As a last resort, stretch the clothes over a bucket or pan.
- Run hot water over the stain until the wax is completely dissolved.
- After treatment, wipe the stained area with a clean napkin and put the item in the wash.
Delicate fabrics and wool
Fabrics that require careful handling, such as wool, chiffon, silk, satin or organza, remove drops of wax with a stain remover for this type of fabric. If you don’t have a stain remover on hand, you should use dishwashing detergent. On a woolen dress, apply a few drops of liquid to the stain and leave until completely dry. Rinse off the gel and wash the item.
On knitwear and delicate fabrics, you can try to carefully remove the hardened wax with a spatula, knife or manicure file.
Paraffin on a bolognese coat is also removed with dish gel. Use a sponge with a detergent to wipe the stain and rinse with water until the foam disappears. Blot moisture with a soft cloth or towel.
Dish detergent
Add dishwashing liquid, washing powder and stain remover to boiling water and mix. Next, you need to go to the bath and conveniently place the item with the stain so that this solution can be poured onto the stained area. Pour the hot mixture over the surface of the stain. The boiling water will pass through the fabric and wash away traces of wax.
Another method of using detergent is to apply it directly to the stain. Clothes should be left like this overnight. The material should be slightly wet beforehand. The next morning, rinse the stained area and it will disappear.
Dish detergent can be added when washing, this gives a good result. This method is suitable for items that require delicate handling, such as wool, silk and synthetics.
What to do with suede and fur
Hardened wax is easily removed from fur products. To do this, you need to place them in the freezer or apply an ice pack to the contamination. Carefully brush the hardened wax onto the fibers, moving towards the ends so as not to damage the fur.
The method of using an iron to remove wax is also suitable for suede fabric. Only suede coated with the material should be applied to the sole of the iron for a short time, but under no circumstances should the iron be applied to it, because fleecy fabric cannot be ironed. The impact of a hot household appliance on a suede surface causes dents and gloss to appear.
If the first attempts are unsuccessful, it is recommended to make the next mixture. Combine 35 ml of ammonia, 10 ml of wine alcohol and 50 ml of gasoline. Moisten a cotton swab and apply to the stain for 5 minutes. After the wax has softened, wipe the stain with a wet cloth. This composition is also used for coats and velvet fabrics.
A proven method for restoring the structure of suede pile is exposure to steam. In this way, you can also remove paraffin by holding the item over steam. The soft composition can be easily cleaned with a brush or dry sponge. It’s just not recommended to rub the stain so as not to smear the wax.
There is another way. It is necessary to stir 1/2 tsp on a fleecy carpet. ammonia in 1 liter of water. Apply the solution to the stain using a damp flannel cloth. Gently rub the candle mark several times.
You can also use medical alcohol on wax on a shag carpet. It is enough to leave a moistened swab or sponge on the stain for 20-30 minutes.
What to do with wax on a leather jacket
The peculiarity of leather is that it does not absorb wax, so it is easier to remove.
The cold will also help remove paraffin from leather clothes. After freezing, the material must be bent directly at the site of contamination. The wax will crack and can be easily removed with your fingers. Wipe away the shiny mark with a napkin.
If a greasy stain still remains, it can be wiped off with ammonia or acetone.
Talc, starch, baby powder
How to clean the grease stain remaining after scraping:
- Sprinkle the contaminated area with baby powder, talcum powder or starch.
- Cover with white paper on top and place something heavy.
- Leave under pressure for 40 minutes.
- Clean the surface with a brush.
- Wash.
Candle marks on jeans
Cleaning practical and thick jeans from wax drops will not be difficult.
- Place the jeans in a bag and put them in the freezer for 2 hours. Scrape off the frozen paraffin from the fabric and wash with powder.
- Washing with soaking is also effective. The trousers are soaked in hot water at 50-60°C with powder and kept for half an hour. Then they wash the stain with laundry soap and put the item in the washing machine.
- Keep the trousers over steam for 30 minutes and wash with powder in hot water.
- Drops from denim are quickly removed after soaking in alcohol and sprinkling with table salt. The effect is achieved after 4-5 times.
Paraffin stains are durable. The wax on the fabric should be treated with a stain remover or dish gel so as not to be washed again. Old blots may not be removed in one go, then the treatment is repeated.
It is not recommended to use ammonia for denim because it ruins the color.
Removing old stains
It is not always possible to remove old wax marks when an item has been lying in a closet without leaving a trace, but it is worth a try. Citric acid removes the frozen part well. The crystals are distributed over the area of the stain and lightly moistened with warm water from a spray bottle. Leave for 15-20 minutes and remove with a sponge.
An unusual product is also used, such as a preparation for removing wax after depilation. The oily composition quickly dissolves the wax on the fabric, and the stain is easily washed off. Nail polish remover can also be used successfully, but it discolors the fabric.
On silk and woolen items, old wax is washed off with dishwashing detergent. It is poured onto the stain, covered with cling film and left for a day. Then wash it with laundry soap.
If wax ends up on clothes during depilation
Fresh wax marks after cosmetic procedures can be quickly removed using warm vegetable oil. Apply a small amount to the stain and leave for 5 minutes to soak. Next, wash off the stain with dishwashing gel.
If you don’t have oil on hand, use special oil wipes, which are included in the set with wax strips. Olive or cosmetic oil is suitable, which is applied to a cotton pad and treated areas of clothing with paraffin.
How can you wash paraffin?
How to remove paraffin from a pan?
- Place the container on the fire.
- When the paraffin begins to melt, add vegetable oil to it.
- Mix into a homogeneous substance.
- Use newspapers or rags to remove the oil-paraffin grease.
- Wash off any remaining residue with hot water and detergent.
23 Mar
2015 Interesting materials:
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