Here’s how to get wax out of clothes:
- 1. Freeze the wax in the freezer or with an ice pack
- 2. Scrape off the excess wax with a spoon or dull knife
- 3. Iron the wax stain
- 4. Pre-treat the wax stain with dish soap
- 5. Machine wash with laundry pods
- 6. Hang dry
So you were feeling fancy and decided to light up an Instagram-worthy candle. Or maybe your kiddo got a little too ambitious with their crayon art. Next thing you know, there’s wax all over your favorite shirt. Cue the panic.
But before you give up and toss your waxy clothes in the trash, take a breath. Wax stains might seem like the final boss of laundry battles, but armed with a little know-how, you’ll have your clothes looking as good as new. Let’s break it down—step by step.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1. An ice pack
- 2. A spoon or dull knife
- 3. Paper towels
- 4. An iron
- 5. Dish soap
- 5. Laundry detergent pods
Pro tip: Always check the care label on your garment before trying any new techniques, and test new cleaning methods on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t damage the fabric.
1. Freeze the Wax
Wax hardens fast, so your best bet is to turn that gooey mess into a solid one. Toss the stained item in the freezer for about 30 minutes. If it’s too big for the freezer, press an ice pack or bag of frozen peas directly on the wax until it’s rock solid. Why? Because hardened wax is easier to scrape off. No one wants to smear melted wax deeper into the fabric.
2. Scrape Off the Excess Wax
Once the wax is frozen, grab a dull knife or a spoon and gently scrape off the hardened wax. Don’t go too wild—you’re trying to save the fabric, not destroy it. Your goal here is to lift off as much wax as possible, leaving only a faint stain behind.
3. Iron the Wax Stain
Now it’s time to break out the iron. Lay the fabric stain-side down on top of a brown paper bag or a few paper towels. Set your iron to low or medium (no steam) and gently press over the back of the fabric. The heat will melt the leftover wax, which will transfer onto the paper. Keep moving the paper around to a clean spot until no more wax melts out. It’s basically like magic, but with more heat.
4. Pre-Treat with Dish Soap
Wax (whether from candles or crayons) can leave an oily residue behind. That’s where dish soap comes in. Dab a little on the stain and gently work it in with your fingers or a soft-bristled toothbrush. Dish soap is the superhero of grease-fighting, and it’s about to swoop in and save your favorite tee. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before moving on to the next step.
5. Machine Wash with Laundry Pods
Now it’s time to let your washing machine do the heavy lifting. Toss the pre-treated garment in along with an enzyme-based laundry pod to dissolve the remaining evidence of that wax mishap. Choose a gentle wash cycle with cool or lukewarm water. Stay away from hot water, which can melt traces of wax into the fibers of your fabric, making it even harder to remove.
Speaking of laundry pods, stop settling for the same lame scents you’ve had since high school. Level up your life with Laundry Sauce: the world’s best-smelling laundry detergent, infused with luxurious fragrances like Australian Sandalwood, Italian Bergamot, and French Saffron.
6. Air Dry
Finally, resist the urge to throw your clean clothes in the dryer. Heat can set any lingering stain, and you didn’t come this far to have wax win. Instead, let your clothes air dry and check the stain. If it’s gone, you’re good to go. If not, repeat steps 4-6 until that fabric is wax-free.
Common Questions About Removing Wax from Clothes
Now that you’ve got the game plan to get wax out of your clothes, let’s unpack some common questions.
Will Dish Soap Get Wax Out of Clothes?
Dish soap won’t dissolve wax itself, but it’s fantastic at breaking down the oily residue wax leaves behind. Combined with the scraping and ironing method, it’s your best ally in the battle against wax stains.
Does Vinegar Dissolve Wax?
Not really. Vinegar is great for a lot of things, but it won’t do much against wax. It might help lift a tiny bit of residue, but it’s no match for the hard stuff. Stick to freezing, scraping, and dish soap for the best results.
How Do You Get Dried Wax Out of Clothes?
Follow the same steps: freeze, scrape, iron, and pre-treat. Dried wax can actually be easier to remove since it’s already hardened. Just don’t skip the ironing step—it's crucial for melting the wax out.
Can Dry Cleaners Get Wax Out of Clothes?
Yes! Dry cleaners have industrial-grade solvents that can tackle stubborn wax stains. If you’re dealing with delicate fabrics or a serious stain, it’s worth handing it over to the pros.
Conquer Stubborn Stains with Laundry Sauce
Whether the culprit is a scented candle or a kids’s crayon, wax stains are no match for your laundry skills, especially when you put our pods to the task. Your clothes won’t just look fresh—they’ll smell so good you’ll wonder why you ever settled for that plastic jug full of neon sludge.
Wax on, wax off, and most importantly, stay saucy.
