How to remove wax from clothing

There are a lot of ways that wax can get onto clothing, and each type of wax can be tough to remove without taking a few initial steps before placing your clothes in the washer. If you're wondering how to remove wax from clothes—whether candle wax or hair removal wax—then this article will introduce you to the steps you should take to save your favourite blouse or pair of jeans from stubborn wax stains.

Remember, the most important thing is to handle the stain quickly, so that it doesn’t spread or set in further, and to review the care label for any specific instructions before treating. It’s also a good idea to brush up on what the different laundry symbols mean.

Use the steps provided below to remove wax from clothes.

STEP 1: FREEZE THE WAX AND CAREFULLY SCRAPE IT OFF

Start by freezing the wax for a minimum of 30 minutes. You never want to remove warm wax as this will cause it to spread and stain the fabric. Once the wax has sufficiently hardened, you should carefully scrape off as much of it as you can with a dull knife or even a credit card.

STEP 2: APPLY DISH SOAP RIGHT ONTO THE WAX

Apply a small amount of dish soap to the front and back of the fabric. Don’t mix the soap with water and do not scrub or rinse the garment. Lastly, let the dish soap sit for roughly 30 minutes.

STEP 3: SOAK THE STAINED CLOTHING FOR A MINIMUM OF 1 HOUR

Mix several cups of hot water with a drop of liquid dish soap in a plastic bowl or glass or bucket. Allow the piece of clothing to soak in this mixture for at least one hour.

Once the item is done soaking, thoroughly rinse it under warm water to remove all remnants of dish soap as this will prevent an excess suds level in your washing machine.

STEP 4: WASH WITH THE HEAVY SOIL SETTING

The Deep Water Wash option from Whirlpool® adds more water to help break down loose soils, ensuring that heavily soiled clothes receive an optimal clean. Use the warmest water the care tag recommends and wash with your regular detergent.

For white loads, it’s recommended to add ½ cup of chlorine bleach to the bleach dispenser. For coloured loads, add ½ cup of colour-safe oxygenated bleach or baking soda to the washer based on the guidance in your Use and Care Guide.

CHLORINE BLEACH VS. OXYGEN BLEACH

Typically, oxygen bleach is a safe bleach alternative to most chlorine bleach. It is colourless, fragrance-free and comes in either powder or liquid form.

STEP 5: LINE DRY & REPEAT IF NECESSARY

It’s best to line dry your item(s) with wax stains since the heat from a dryer can force a stain, even those you can’t see, to set while the fabric is wet. If this happens, repeat the steps as many times as necessary.