How to Remove Candle Wax

Candle making craft tip

Here are helpful arts and crafts candle making tips on how to remove candle wax. (Hey, unless you use a no-melt method, it is impossible to make candles without spilling wax!)

Removing candle wax from fabrics and other soft surfaces.

To remove wax from clothing, rugs, and other soft surfaces, apply ice cube or ice pack to the wax. This will harden it and make it more brittle.

Then gently scrape off as much wax as you can. Don't use anything too sharp. A credit card, wooden stick, or non-serrated knife usually will work well for this purpose.

Next, lay a paper bag (or several of layers of paper towels) over the wax. Place a paper bag under the fabric too.

Gently iron over the top paper. (Set your iron on medium to high, depending on the fabric.) The paper will absorb the wax. Repeat this process with a clean paper bag until all the wax has been removed.

Throw the paper bags in the trash once the wax residue has cooled.

• How to remove candle wax from carpet.

  If your carpeting is not nailed down and is fairly thin, follow the steps outlined above.

  If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, follow the steps outline above except you will not be able to place a paper bag under the fabric. However, you still should be able to remove the wax. It just might take longer.

• Removing colored wax from fabrics and soft surfaces.

  Apply ice until wax is brittle, then scrape away. If any discoloration remains, treat as you would a regular stain.

Removing candle wax from hard surfaces.

To clean up wax on counter tops, floors, and other smooth hard durable surfaces, let it cool then scrape it up. OR heat the wax with a hair dryer until melted, then wipe up.

How to remove wax from candleholders.

For glass or metal candle holders, heat the wax drippings with a hair dryer. When melted, wipe away. Then soak the candle holders in hot soapy water for approximately one minute. Wipe dry.


I hope these candle wax remover tips have been helpful!


Before you begin your candle making projects, be sure to read these important Candle Making Safety Tips.

For a no melt, no mess way to make candles, try these Bees Wax Candles and Beeswax Taper Candles.