How to Get Wax Out of Tablecloths Using Household Items

You might feel frustrated when wax lands on your tablecloth, but you can get wax out using things you already have at home. Candle wax stains make up 19 percent of tablecloth stains. Try freezing, nail polish remover, a dull knife, or vinegar for tough spots.

• Freezing helps solidify wax for easy removal.

• Nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol break down stubborn stains.

• A dull knife scrapes off hardened wax gently.

• Vinegar tackles colored wax stains.

Get Wax Out: Scrape and Freeze

Harden Wax in Freezer

When you want to get wax out of your tablecloth, start by making the wax hard. Soft wax sticks to fabric and spreads if you try to scrape it right away. You can freeze the wax to make it solid and easier to remove. Just fold the tablecloth so the waxy spot faces up. Place it in your freezer. If you have a large tablecloth, you can put only the stained part in a plastic bag and freeze that section. Leave it in the freezer for a few days. The cold air will harden the wax and keep it from soaking deeper into the fibers.

Tip: Freezing works best for thick wax blobs. If you spilled a lot of wax, freezing helps you get wax out without making a mess.

Scrape Off Excess

Once the wax is hard, you can start scraping. Use gentle tools like a butter knife, a plastic scraper, or even the edge of a spoon. Hold the tablecloth flat on a hard surface. Gently lift the wax off the fabric. Try not to press too hard. You want to avoid tearing or stretching the fibers, especially if your tablecloth is made of silk, wool, or synthetic materials like polyester and nylon. These fabrics can get damaged easily.

• Best tools for scraping:

  • Butter knife

  • Plastic scraper

  • Spoon

If you have a delicate tablecloth, test your scraping tool on a hidden corner first. This helps you see if the fabric will snag or fray. Always use slow, steady movements. You might need to repeat the process a few times to get wax out completely. Scraping usually takes just a few minutes, especially if the wax is thick and brittle from freezing.

Note: If you see tiny bits of wax left behind, don't worry. You can remove those with heat in the next step.

Apply Heat

Iron and Paper Towels

You might notice small bits of wax left after scraping. Heat helps you get wax out of your tablecloth for good. Place a few layers of paper towels or a brown paper bag under and over the wax spot. Set your iron to a low or medium setting with no steam. Gently press the iron on top. The heat melts the wax, and the paper absorbs it.

• Brown paper bags work well for soaking up melted wax.

• Place paper both under and over the stain for best results.

Tip: Keep moving the paper towels or bag to a clean spot as they soak up wax. This stops the wax from spreading back onto your tablecloth.

Check your progress often. If you see the paper getting oily, switch to a fresh piece. Repeat until you get wax out completely.

Use Hair Dryer or Boiling Water

If you do not have an iron, a hair dryer can help. Aim the warm air at the wax stain. Hold a paper towel or brown paper bag over the spot. The heat melts the wax, and the paper picks it up.

For stubborn wax, try the boiling water method:

1. Stretch the stained part of the tablecloth over a bowl and secure it with a rubber band.

2. Pour hot water over the wax. The melted wax will drip into the bowl.

3. Blot the area with a paper towel to soak up any leftover wax.

4. Wash your tablecloth as usual.

Note: The boiling water method works best for cotton or linen. Always check your fabric care label before using hot water.

With these heat methods, you can get wax out of most tablecloths using simple household items.

Remove Stains

Nail Polish Remover or Alcohol

After you get wax out of your tablecloth, you might see a faint stain left behind. You can try nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to tackle these spots. Pour a small amount onto a clean white cloth and dab the stain gently. Always test on a hidden corner first. Some fabrics react badly to these products.

• Rubbing alcohol can damage colored fabrics.

• Avoid using rubbing alcohol on delicate materials.

• Nail polish remover may dissolve certain fibers, especially acetate, which is common in vintage tablecloths.

• Testing on a small patch helps you avoid bigger problems.

Tip: Never rub hard. Blot the stain and check your progress often.

If you notice any color fading or fabric change, stop right away. Switch to a milder method if needed.

Wash and Rinse

Once you treat the stain, wash your tablecloth to finish the job. Scrape off as much wax as possible before washing. Place the stained area between two pieces of white blotting paper and press with a warm iron if you still see wax. Repeat this step until you get wax out completely.

Wash the tablecloth using your usual detergent and the recommended temperature for the fabric. Sometimes, wax stains can be stubborn. You may need to run several wash cycles, especially if you used colored candles. If the stain sticks around after a few washes, you might want to try professional cleaning.

Washing and rinsing well helps your tablecloth look fresh and clean again.

You can remove wax stains if you take your time and use things from home. Try not to make these mistakes:

Simple tricks like using ice cubes or brown paper bags help a lot. Keep your tablecloth flat when you store it. Put lavender sachets with it. This keeps your tablecloth smelling nice and ready to use!