How to remove wax from clothing? We have a Christmas event coming up where the choir will be holding candles. This year I just know I’ll end up cleaning wax from the choir robes.
Sonia McCullough, Camden, NJ
Let’s see if we can get you prepared ahead of time. The first step togetting wax off clothes is to let it cool and harden. Next, scrape the excess wax from the fabric. Use a dull knife or a credit card. You can also apply ice to the spot to make the wax brittle and easier to remove.
If the choir robes can handle the heat from an iron, try melting the wax. Put a towel underneath the fabric and two paper towels on top. With low or medium heat, press the iron onto the paper towels until they become saturated. Melted wax does come out of clothes but it does take a little patience. Replace the towels as needed and continue the process until all the wax is gone.
On the off chance that the wax has left a colored stain on the fabric, soak it with an oxygen-based cleaner for a little while before laundering. You might also want to spot treat with the stain remover before you put the robes into the machine.
Finally, rubbing alcohol can help you dissolve wax, too. Combine a half cup of alcohol with one cup of water. Spray that on the spots and blot carefully with a sponge. Continue until the wax is gone.
On the other hand, if this all seems like a lot of work, try dry cleaning. Professional drycleaners may charge extra for this type of spot removal, so check before you drop off any items. However, they usually have a lot of experience and success with all types of stain removal so it may be worth the cost.