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Carpets are no strangers to stains; in fact, I’m sure every household has experienced a carpet disaster. Even the most careful person can spill something on their carpet accidentally.
The problem is, once a stain has set in, it becomes harder to clean. This is especially true for wax stains because not only are they difficult to remove, but you have to be extra careful when removing them so as not to damage the fibers of your carpet. There are some incredibly easy ways in which you can get wax out of carpet, and we’re going to list them for you.
Outline
How To Get Wax Out Of Carpet
Materials Required
The task of taking wax out of carpet may be easy, but to complete it successfully, you need a couple of things handy:
- A heavy-duty carpet cleaner or rubbing alcohol
- An ice pack or a bag of ice
- Iron or hairdryer
- Paper towel or a soft cotton cloth
- Butter knife or any other blunt knife
- Vacuum cleaner
Once you have these items ready, you can start cleaning the carpet from the comfort of your home. Here are the detailed steps:
Step 1: Freeze The Wax
One of the best ways to remove a wax stain is also one of the least aggressive ones. This will work for both oil-based and water-soluble wax. Use an ice pack or a bag of ice wrapped in a plastic bag. You can use frozen meat as a substitute for ice packs if that’s more readily available.
Packing the ice in a towel or bag is crucial because you don’t want to get the wax wet. That would just spread it around and make things worse. Once the wax starts turning cold, it will solidify and lift off the carpet without ruining the fibers.
Step 2: Remove The Wax With A Blunt Knife
The next step is to use a blunt knife or a butter knife to remove the solidified wax from the carpet. To do this, you first need to gather as much of the wax as possible and then use a blunt knife to scrape it off gently.
Make sure not to press too hard, or else you risk damaging the fibers. If you are successful in removing all the wax using the knife, then you can skip to the fourth step. If not, the next step will help you out!
Step 3: Iron The Wax Stain
If the wax is still stuck on the carpet, you can use an iron to get it out. If you don’t have one around the house, a hairdryer will work too.
Hold it about six inches away from the wax stain and let the hot air melt the wax. If you’re using an iron then make sure it is at a low temperature, as high temperatures can damage the fibers of your carpet.
Pro Tip: Place a paper towel, paper bag, or towel cloth on the wax stain before using an iron on it. Once you’ve covered a particular area and melted the wax, reposition the towel and use it for fresh areas.
Step 4: Use A Cleaning Solution To Remove The Melted Wax
To ensure your carpet is entirely stain-free, use a commercial cleaning solution – any good carpet solution or rubbing alcohol, to scrape off the remaining bits of wax.
Spray it onto the carpet in a well-circumscribed area. Wait for three minutes to allow the solution to seep in, then use a paper towel or cleaning rag to blot the surface until dry.
Step 5: Vacuum The Carpet For Final Touches
Now that the wax is out, you must vacuum your carpet to pick up any residue. Be sure to not use a brush on the carpet as this will only push the particles further in and make matters worse. We suggest using an upholstery attachment.
Pro Tip: Do not wet a wax stain with water and try to remove it. This will only make the wax melt and spread around, making it hard for you to clean the carpet.
Can Wax Stains Be Removed From The Carpet Without Using Heat?
It is understandable why some of you may be skeptical about using heat appliances like iron or hair dryers to remove wax stains, even though it is one of the best methods to do so. If you are dealing with a delicate or expensive carpet, you may want to go for a gentler approach.
Fortunately, several methods do not involve any heat appliances. These methods work the same way and require just a few household items.
1. Commercial Cleaning Solutions
You can remove minor wax stains from the carpet using dry-solvent carpet cleaners. While large wax spots need to be removed with heat, using dry carpet cleaners on minor stains is effective. Simply spray them onto the affected area and let them sit for a couple of minutes.
Then, apply some pressure over the carpet so that the solvent can remove the stain altogether. After applying the solvent, simply take a dry cloth and blot up any remaining residue from the carpet.
2. Natural Cleaning Solutions
You can also try a more natural approach by using vinegar. To dilute the vinegar, combine ¼ cup white vinegar with ¾ cup water in a spray bottle and apply it over the stain. Allow it to sit for approximately 30 minutes before removing the wax with a clean towel. If the wax still leaves an impression after rubbing alcohol, try the other methods listed above.
After going through the article, we are sure you will be able to tackle even the most stubborn wax stains from the carpet. It is incredible how you can get rid of the tough wax stains with so little effort, time and money.
Once you have successfully removed your wax stains, it would be wise not to make the same mistake again in the future. Try using a towel instead of placing candles directly on the carpet, and frequently vacuum your carpet to prevent a buildup of wax and dirt.