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There's no substitute for the relaxing and soothing aroma of a scented candle, but there might come a time where you have a "wax accident." Spills happen, they're a part of life. But just because you spill a bit of melted wax on your carpet doesn't mean you need a full carpet replacement.
When spilled, wax is a tricky substance that can leave unfortunate stains or residue on certain materials - think clothes, wood, leather furniture, even walls. Wax hardens very quickly, making removal a race against time.
Luckily, candle wax is actually relatively easy to remove (if you know what you're doing). Here are some tips for how to remove wax from various surfaces.
Disclaimer:While there is certainly a low risk for damage, try these methods at your own risk! Jackpot Candles is not responsible for any further damage caused by attempting any of these cleaning methods.
Let the wax completely dry first. Start by scraping off excess wax with a butter knife.
Lay a damp cloth (washcloth, etc.) over the affected area. Warm up your iron and use it to apply medium heat to the remainder of the wax. As it heats up, the wax should naturally absorb into the cloth. Finally, use a bit of rubbing alcohol to finish cleaning up.
Wax can also be frozen and shattered. Use ice or an ice pack to harden the wax to the point where it can be shattered. Break it up and then pick up/vacuum all the pieces ASAP.
Wood is a beautiful surface that, unfortunately, tends to be prone to candle drippings. Here's how to handle a drip onto a wood surface.
Freeze the wax with an ice pack/ice cube until it hardens. Gently scrape the wax off of the wood using a blunt, but scrape-y object like an old credit card (just nothing that can scratch a wooden surface like a knife). For any remaining wax, use a cream-based furniture wax to pick up any excess.
Don't try to wipe away liquid wax, as you'll most likely make the problem even worse. Let the wax harden and then scrape away what you can with a butter knife.
Get your iron out and let it heat up (be sure to use a setting that is appropriate for the cloth you're trying to clean). On a low/medium setting, Heat an iron to low or medium warm and place two paper bags on either side of the stain (if you're working on furniture, simply place the bag on top of the stain). Gently and carefully iron the spot until the wax melts into the paper bags. This method can also be done with a damp washcloth.
If the wax had a color to it, soak the fabric with oxygen-based stain cleaner and water. If possible, wash the item in a mild detergent afterward. If it will not hurt the fabric, you can also try cleaning the spot with a bit of denatured alcohol.
Leather is a precious material, so use great caution when attempting to clean this surface.
Use a blow dryer to warm the wax - but be quick or else you can burn the leather. Use a clean cloth to remove as much wax as possible, and then use a cleaner designed for leather furniture or a cloth/mild soap to clean the rest of the wax up.
The key here is to not dry-out or damage the leather either with heat or with harsh chemicals.
Apply medium heat with a blow dryer and wipe away excess wax as it softens. Remove residue with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.
Scrape as much wax off of the wall/glass using something sharp (be careful not to scratch the paint/glass). Next, use a blow dryer to soften any remaining wax. Wipe away the rest of the residue with a washcloth and a bit of mild soapy water
Another great way to clean wax off of these surfaces is with a homemade mixture of vinegar and water. Mix one part vinegar with three parts water for the ideal formula.
Wax is HOT! We don't recommend touching molten wax for any reason... But if you do happen to get wax on your skin, there is an easy way to get it off.
Depending on the size of the wax spill on the skin, soak a cotton swab, cotton ball, or cleaning pad in skin-safe oil (think coconut oil, olive oil, or baby oil). Press the cotton against the wax on the skin for ~30 seconds.
Finally, clean the wax off of your skin with the cotton. Use a washcloth to remove any further stubborn bits of wax. Lastly, a bit of mild soap will remove any remaining traces of wax. Dry yourself off an be on your way!