How To Get Wax Out Of Tablecloths In An Easy Way

There are many approaches to remove wax from a tablecloth. You may attempt to try and carefully wash your table cover, but this alone is unlikely to work for wax stains. Fortunately, the methods available are not complicated. In this section, we will walk you through solutions that use things like:

• Your freezer
• An iron
• Boiling water
• A blow dryer

Some may seem unorthodox, but they are effective approaches when you go about them the right way. Follow the guidance we offer here and rest assured that, if you bought tablecloths from us, they have the durability to withstand these efforts and come out retaining their elegant appearance.

Freezing Method

This is known to be an effective method, and all you need is a freezer, a dull knife, some paper towels and an iron.

Here’s how it works:

1. Freeze the tablecloth: Place your tablecloth in the freezer for a few hours until the wax is frozen and brittle.
2. Scrape off the wax: Use the dull knife to scrape off the brittle wax, taking care not to damage the fabric.
3. Remove the residual wax: Place a sheet of paper towel on both sides of the affected area. Apply an iron set to a low heat over the paper, melting the residual wax and allowing it to transfer to the paper. Repeat this process until all residue is gone.
4. Launder the tablecloth: Wash your table cover according to manufacturer recommendations and you’ll be left with a wax-free tablecloth.

With our custom table covers, pay attention to the care label for advice on recommended iron temperatures and instructions for laundering.

Ironing Method

Use the ironing method to remove candle wax from a tablecloth. You will need an iron, ironing board, and some paper towels. This approach is best for smaller wax drips or stains, and you should only start when they have fully hardened.

The method is as follows:

1. Place paper towels: You will want to put several layers of paper towels on both sides of the affected area and lay it out over your ironing board.
2. Apply heat: Set your iron to a low-medium temperature and gently press it over the paper towels, moving in a circular motion. Don’t push hard or the wax could go deeper into the fabric.
3. Check the paper: As you proceed, keep checking the paper towels and replace them when they become saturated with wax. Keep going until no more wax is transferred to the paper.
4. Wash the tablecloth: You can now launder the tablecloth following the manufacturer instructions for a spotless finish.

Our tablecloths and runners are safe to use with an iron, but you should educate yourself on how to iron a table cover safely to avoid scorching the fabric.

Boiling Water Method

You can use boiling water to help get wax off a tablecloth or table runner. You will need a kettle and a dull knife, and you will want a sink or a large container to catch the water.

Here’s how the technique works:

1. Scrape the wax: Use a dull knife to scrape off as much wax as you can, taking care not to damage the fabric as you go.
2. Boil some water: Fill a kettle and boil the water. With the table cover over a sink or large container, carefully pour the boiling water over the wax stain and it will soften the wax and move it to the surface. Agitate the fabric a little to help dislodge the wax.
3. Scrape off the remaining wax: Once the water cools, the wax will solidify. You will then be able to use your dull knife to scrape off what remains.
4. Launder the tablecloth: Once you have removed as much wax as possible, wash your table cover in line with the manufacturer instructions.

You will need to check the manufacturer guidance to ensure boiling water will not damage your tablecloth.

Blow Dryer Technique

A blow dryer is another potential solution for how to get wax out of tablecloths. You will need a dull knife, a flat, heat-resistant surface, a hair dryer, and some paper towels.

Follow this method:

1. Scrape off the wax: Allow the wax to fully harden, then scrape off as much as possible with your dull knife.
2. Apply heat: Lay the tablecloth on a flat, heat-resistant surface with the stain facing up. Place a few layers of paper towels on each side of the stain then apply heat from a blow dryer at its medium setting.
3. Absorb the wax: The paper towels will absorb wax as it begins to melt. Keep replacing the paper towels as they become saturated until wax is no longer transferred onto them.
4. Launder the tablecloth: Once the wax has stopped transferring, wash your tablecloth, paying close attention to the care instructions.

Some of our more robust custom printed tablecloths may not even absorb the wax. It will simply dry on the surface so you can scrape it off and wipe away the residue for a quick, simple solution. 

Laundering Method

It may be possible to remove wax from tablecloths simply by laundering them if you take a few special steps along the way. The method for how to wash a polyester table cover is quite specific, but you will need to add some special considerations for wax stains.

1. Scrape off the hardened wax: Using a dull knife, remove as much of the hardened wax as possible.
2. Pre-treat the stain: Apply a solvent-based stain remover to the stain, following the product’s instructions carefully. ALlow it to sit for a few minutes.
3. Launder the table cover: Follow your tablecloth’s care label to machine wash it safely. A powerful laundry detergent will be best, if it is safe to use with your tablecloth fabric.
4. Check the stain: After the wash cycle, take a look at the affected area. If wax remains, apply the pre-treatment again and re-launder.

This method will be effective for most fabric types to restore your tablecloth to its wax-free state.

Spot Cleaning Method

Spot cleaning is a precision approach, ideal for minor spots, to get candle wax out of tablecloths. You will need a dull knife, some paper towels, an iron, and some solvent-based stain remover.

Follow this step-by-step method:

1. Scrape off the wax: Once the wax has fully hardened, use the dull knife to scrape off as much of it as you can.
2. Apply heat: Next, heat your iron to a medium temperature and place some paper towels on both sides of the stain. Gently press the iron onto the paper to melt the wax so that the paper absorbs it, and keep replacing the paper towels until no more wax is transferred.
3. Apply the stain remover: Follow the product instructions to apply your solvent-based stain remover to the affected area.
4. Launder the tablecloth: Wash the table cover in line with the care label to fully remove any residue of the wax.

This method may be effective for more delicate custom table linens as you will only need to do a gentle wash cycle.

Steam Method

The steam method can be effective for removing wax, and it will also help keep your tablecloth wrinkle-free. You will need a garment steamer, a dull knife, and some paper towels.

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Scrape off wax: Once the wax has hardened, scrape off the dry wax using a dull knife.
2. Apply steam: Using your garment steamer, hover the steam nozzle a few inches above the wax stain. The wax will melt and be drawn upwards, so have paper towels ready to soak it up.
3. Launder the tablecloth: After you have removed as much wax as possible with the steam, it may be fully clean. If not, launder it in accordance with the care label instructions.

Steaming is a great method for how to get wrinkles out of table covers. But it can also be effective for removing wax stains, so consider this method if you need it.

When molten wax from candles accidentally drips onto fabric, it cools, hardens, and adheres to the structure of the fabric. Removing wax from tablecloths can be challenging because it hardens, creating a barrier, trapping the color in, and even penetrating deeper levels of certain fabrics.

It’s essential to address the issue promptly, as it can become increasingly difficult to remove the wax over time. Follow the swift stain removal techniques described above to effectively eliminate stubborn wax stains. Our custom table covers are an excellent choice for creating an elegant setting at venues or events, and addressing problems promptly ensures they remain in pristine condition for many uses.

Clear wax stains often escape our notice as the residue they leave is transparent. Colored wax stains, meanwhile, are very conspicuous as the wax stands out clearly. When you need to get clear wax out of a tablecloth, the focus is on texture and residue removal. For removing colored wax from tablecloths, you must also try to remove dye residue.

Different approaches may be necessary for each. The mark left behind by colored wax is likely to be more noticeable. Nevertheless, both types of stains require careful treatment to avoid spreading the stain or damaging the fabric as you attempt the removal.

You may need to take a few special considerations into account when dealing with stains from colored candle wax. Here are some things to keep in mind when removing colored wax from a tablecloth:

• Dye transfer: Colored wax is usually filled with a dye to give it its vibrant hue. These dyes can transfer to your tablecloth fabric, meaning you will need to remove all the wax and also address the dye residue.
• Heat sensitivity: Applying heat is a common solution for removing wax stains, but you need to be mindful of the heat tolerance of the fabric of your tablecloth or you could damage it.
• Colorfastness: If you are using a stain-removing solution, test it on an inconspicuous area of the tablecloth first. You need to ensure the chemical doesn’t cause color bleeding or fading.
• Blot gently: Avoid excessive rubbing or scraping. This can push the dye from the wax deeper into the fabric, making the problem worse.
• Be patient: It may take multiple attempts to completely remove stains from colored wax. Persistence and patience are key to get colored candle wax out of tablecloths.

There are several tablecloth fabrics that are resistant to wax stains. None are completely immune, but the following fabrics will resist wax penetration:

• Polyester
• Cotton-polyester blends
• Coated fabrics
• Laminated or vinyl table covers

Our custom table covers are mostly made from polyester. This will resist wax penetration so, in most cases, it will be very straightforward to remove wax from any tablecloth you buy from us.

The simplest solution to prevent wax stains on your tablecloths is to not place candles on them. If you do use candles, make sure they are placed in holders and on top of bowls or large coasters that can catch wax drips and prevent them from ever getting on your tablecloths. Dripless candles are another good solution, or you could choose flameless LED candles to get the same visual effect without the risks associated with real candles.