How to Remove Wax from a Rug: A Simple DIY Home Cleaning Guide

Rugs paired with candles add a perfect layer of warmth to any room. Yet, your romantic candlelit dinner or yoga session with scented candles, may not always go as planned. Wax spills may ruin your plans, but not your rug. So, don’t cry over spilled candle wax! With a few clever DIYs, leaving no trace of the meltdown, you can keep your rug’s former beauty.

Things To Know Before Cleaning Your Rug

Getting the wax off of your rug may be your top priority, but you also have to protect the other surfaces around the rug. Especially with hardwood flooring, liquids can cause hardwood to darken or stain. So, to prevent moisture from reaching the floor or rug pad, place a plastic trash bag under the affected area. Once you remove the wax, dry the floor, rug, and pad before removing the plastic barrier.

Things You Need For The Wax Removal Process 

Before you learn how to get candle wax off a rug, you’ll need certain tools and materials. Here’s a list to ensure you're ready to begin the wax-removal process:

Now that you have the right tools and materials handy, you can get started!

Wax Removal Tip: Act Quickly On The Rug For Fresh Candle Wax Spillage

Removing fresh candle wax from your rug promptly can yield better results in less time. However, if it’s an old wax spill, you can follow the steps below to get the wax off of your rug with ease.

5 Simple Steps To Get Candle Wax Off A Rug  

Step 1: Freeze The Wax

1. Place a bag of ice or frozen peas directly on the wax.
2. Leave the bag of ice or frozen peas on the spilled wax for 5-10 minutes.
3. This should allow the wax to freeze completely.
4. If the wax feels firm and brittle, you can proceed to Step 2.

Remember, never remove the wax while it's still in liquid form or soft. If you wipe the hot wax while it’s soft, it can seep deeper into the rug, making it difficult to clean. This could also permanently damage your rug beyond repair.

Step 2: Scrape Off The Wax

1. Now that the wax is solid, gently scrape it off using an old credit card, a blunt kitchen knife, or a spoon.
2. If the wax doesn’t come off instantly, scrape it off section by section.
3. Avoid scraping aggressively or hastily, as it could damage the rug.
4. Use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to get rid of the bigger pieces of loosened wax.
5. For the smaller pieces of residual wax, proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Heat And Absorb The Residual Wax

Residual wax is prone to attracting dust and dirt. You can remove such residual wax in two ways:

The Iron or Hair Dryer Method:

• Preheat your iron on a lower setting, preferably 2 or 3, or use a hair dryer on low.
• If your iron is too hot or your hair dryer is set on high, it could melt the rug’s fibers.
• Use the synthetic fabric setting on your iron if your iron has it.
• Place at least five paper towels or an absorbent cloth over the wax spot.
• Gently place the iron or use the hair dryer on the paper towels or absorbent cloth to soften the wax.
• You should see the paper towels or absorbent cloth starting to absorb the oily stain.
• While using the iron, be sure not to press down too hard or rub it too much on the paper towels or absorbent cloth.
• You don't want the wax to be further embedded in the rug.
• To protect the iron plate from wax, place an aluminum foil on top of the paper towels or absorbent cloth.
• Move the iron or hair dryer around carefully to prevent burning your rug.
• After 5-10 seconds, pick up the iron or turn off the hair dryer.
• You should see some wax absorbed on the paper towels or absorbent cloth.
• If not, here’s your cue to put the iron back on, or use the hair dryer for a few more seconds.
• Before doing that, replace or use a clean area of the same paper towels or absorbent cloth.
• Repeat the steps 2-4 times until you melt and blot up all the wax.

The Coffee Maker and Vacuum Method:

• Heat some water in a coffee maker without the coffee.
• Different types of wax need different temperatures of hot water.
• Some wax needs water that is hotter than your coffee maker.
• In this case, you can heat the water in a kettle or a microwave.
• Be sure the water isn't boiling when pouring it on the wax to avoid damaging the rug.
• For further clarity about the temperature of the water, speak to our experts at The Rug Decor.
• Once you’ve got the temperature of the water right, gently pour the hot water onto the wax to melt and soften it.
• Use your wet and dry vacuum cleaner to clean up the hot water and melted wax.
• It is advisable to keep your vacuum on and ready to use before pouring the hot water.
• If you're too slow, the water will cool and the wax will set in, so will the color of the wax, if any.
• Hence, time is of the essence for the effective removal of the wax.

Step 4: Spot-Clean Your Rug 

After you’ve removed the wax successfully, it’s time to address any stain left by the wax. This step is very important if colored wax is spilled, as the dye could leave a stain on your rug. 

1. You can apply a small amount of rug cleaner or a mild detergent and warm water solution to the stained area.
2. Gently blot the area with a clean, damp cloth.
3. For a stubborn stain, use a high-quality carpet cleaner, stain remover, or spot remover on the stained area.
4. Do not scrub the area, as it could damage the rug fibers or spread the stain.
5. Continue blotting the area gently until the last traces of wax and color disappear.
6. Allow the area to air-dry thoroughly.

Step 5: Vacuum The Wax-Spilled Area

Welcome to the last and final step of your rug’s wax removal saga. Only once the wax-spilled area is thoroughly dry, proceed to…

Vacuum the Area: To fluff the fibers, restore the texture, and remove tiny wax particles from the rug.  

Inspect the Area: If you think the area is attracting dirt, it means residual wax is still stuck in the rug. Some rugs need more effort to remove wax.

Repeat Steps to Clean the Area: Do the steps several times until you are sure all the wax is gone.

Wax Dye Removal Treatment Based On Color And Type Of Rug

The removal of wax stains differs from rug to rug. Here are a few ways for you to treat stubborn rug stains once the wax is gone.

1. For any color or type of rug:
1. Pour a few drops of rubbing alcohol on the stained area.
2. Blot the stained area with a paper towel or absorbent cloth instead of rubbing.
3. Repeat until the color is gone.
2. For any color or type of rug, except for wool:
1. Use powdered oxygen-based bleach and a small amount of water to make a paste.
2. Spread the paste on the stained area and leave it for at least four hours.
3. Vacuum the powder.
3. For any type of white rug:
1. Use hydrogen peroxide to dab the stain.
2. It will act as bleach to remove the stain.
3. Gently blot the stained area with a paper towel or absorbent cloth.

Precautions To Get Wax Off Of Your Rug At Home

Doing a DIY wax removal off of your rug at home, although easy, should be approached with caution. Doing so will help minimize the risk of damaging your rug. Here are a few precautions to consider:

Test First on a Hidden Spot: Applying heat, freezing, or cleaning solution to your rug can damage it. Hence, you should always first test it on a small, hidden area of your rug.

Prevent Color Transfer: Be mindful of the materials you use to blot the wax. Some materials bleed color when exposed to heat, water, or other cleaning solutions. So, ensure the material has no colorful prints or dyes that could transfer onto the rug.

Scrape Gently: Rug fibers are delicate. Rough handling can easily damage them. Hence, you should be gentle when scraping the wax off of your rug to avoid permanent rug damage.

Blot—Don’t Wipe or Rub: Rubbing or wiping the stain can spread the stain and embed it deeper into the rug. Hence, you should always blot the stain with a clean solution to treat residual stains.  

The Professional Way To Dry Your Rug At Home

After completing all the steps for how to get the wax off of your rug successfully, then comes drying!

Believe it or not, drying a rug may seem not worth mentioning, but it is one of the most underestimated steps. You should ensure that your rug goes through the proper drying process at home. A few ways to invite fresh air into your home is by turning on all fans, if any, and opening all windows. Thoroughly drying your rug means taking measures to keep mold away from it.

How To Prevent The Wax From Spilling

Rugs placed in any room are a reflection of your home’s ambiance. You don’t want a silly wax spill on your rug, ruining that ambiance. Here are some easy ways to minimize the chances of wax spilling on your rug:

Use Drip-catching Candle Holders: They will stop wax from spilling onto your rug. It will also add a layer of safety by keeping the candle secure in its respective holder.

Choose Battery-operated Candles Over Wax Candles: Battery-operated candles don't need constant watching. What’s even better is that they cannot spill wax. They are an ideal choice for you, especially if you have pets and kids at home.

Monitor the Burning Candles: Lighting candles at home requires some responsibility.

You have to be mindful of where you’re placing the candles. They need constant supervision to prevent wax spills and potential fire hazards.

Use Protective Mats: If you have guests, prop your burning candles on decorative mats. They will serve as a protective layer, preventing the wax from spilling. Also, they make clean-up easier and faster.

Keep Candles on Sturdy Surfaces: Rugs are too unstable for candles. They may tip over.  The wax will not only spill all over your rug but will also lead to a serious fire hazard. You should ensure that the candles are placed on sturdy surfaces only.

Solid Wax = Easy-to-move Candle: Wax in its liquid state is difficult to move around. The chances of it spilling on your hand and rug are high. You should ensure the wax has cooled completely before moving the candle. 

 In A Nutshell…

Everything you need to get spilled wax off your rug is available at home. This DIY may seem hard. But, with the right tools, patience, and this guide, your rug can be wax-free in no time. Just freeze, scrape, heat, and repeat (if needed) with gentle care. Besides, you can prevent future spills by using secure candle holders or battery-operated candles. Follow the steps and tips to ensure your rug remains in good condition for years. Happy cleaning!

Related Blogs

How to clean a Wool Rug?
How to clean a Rug without a Carpet cleaner?
How to clean a White Rug?
How to remove stains from rugs?
How to Shampoo a carpet at home?
How to get Mildew off a rug?
How to remove Coffee from a Rug?

FAQs

1) How To Remove Hair Removal Wax From The Rug?

You can get hair removal wax out of a rug by using the same five steps as getting candle wax off a rug:

1. Freeze the Wax
2. Scrape Off the Wax
3. Heat and Absorb the Residual Wax
4. Spot-clean Your Rug
5. Vacuum the Wax-spilled Area

2) Does Rubbing Alcohol Remove Wax From Carpet?

Yes, rubbing alcohol helps dissolve wax residue and wax dye from the carpet. Test it on a hidden area of your carpet to ensure it doesn’t discolor your carpet. After you freeze and scrape most of the wax, dab a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth. Gently blot the area. 

3) Does Vinegar Remove Wax From Carpet?

Although not an ideal solution, you can apply equal parts vinegar and water to the affected area. Blot with a clean cloth. Proceed cautiously, as the acidity can also damage the carpet. Test a small amount on a hidden area of your carpet.  

4) You Can Use The Same Five Steps For Getting Candle Wax Off A Rug To Remove Wax Polish From The Carpet.

You can use the same five steps for getting candle wax off a rug to remove wax polish from the carpet.

1. Freeze the Wax
2. Scrape Off the Wax
3. Heat and Absorb the Residual Wax
4. Spot-clean Your Rug
5. Vacuum the Wax-spilled Area

The only difference here is to focus on removing the oily residue. Apply rubbing alcohol to the area. Blot with a clean cloth and rinse with warm water. Test a small amount on a hidden area as this may not be suitable for all carpets.