Wax on the carpet can be an intimidating carpet cleaning challenge if you don’t know what it is, and how to remove it. But once you can identify it, and are aware of its properties, it is quite a simple job to get it out. I remember the first time I came face to face with this problem. I was overwhelmed, and after wasting a considerable amount of time, I had to abandon the attempt to clean it off the carpet. Then I did a little research, and my next wax cleaning job was so easy that I was as much amazed at the results, as my delighted carpet cleaning client.

Candles are usually made from paraffin, but beeswax, soy, tallow from animal fat and various kinds of gel are also used to make candles. A common characteristic though, is that the residue from burning candles harden rapidly and requires special effort to remove from the surfaces of materials like carpet fabric.

Incidentally, here are some interesting facts about candles, provided by the National Candle Association:

* Retail sales of candles in the USA are currently estimated at approximately $2 billion each year.
* 7 out of 10 U.S. households regularly use candles.
* 35% of annual candle sales take place during the Christmas/Holiday period.
* Candle users burn candles mostly in the living room (42%), kitchen (18%) and bedroom (13%).

Now, how do you remove candle wax from your carpet?

If the wax is fresh you might want to freeze it first with some ice to harden it.

Next scrape off as much of the hardened stuff as you can, using a spatula or dull knife or spoon. Be careful to not rip, tear or damage the carpet fibers in any way.

Get a piece of cardboard or other absorbent paper product that is at least an eight of an inch thick, and place it over the residual wax.

Plug in a clothes iron and allow it to heat up The setting should be fairly low. Preferably below the “wool” setting.

Place the hot iron on the cardboard or other absorbent material that you have placed over the wax, and allow the heat being transferred to melt the wax slowly. Lift the iron and change the spot regularly, in order to avoid getting the absorbent material over saturated with wax. Melted wax could be re-absorbed into the carpet and run down into the backing.

After the wax is removed, blot the spot repeatedly with a clean white towel to remove any soluble residue that may be left in the carpet.

Here are a few things to remember:

1. Do not over heat the iron. Most carpets, including wool, will be damaged by excessively high temperatures.
2. Never place the heated iron directly unto the carpet. The results could be disastrous.
3. Use an extension cord if necessary. Take care not to burn yourself with the hot iron.
4. Be patient. Repeat the process as often as necessary.

Some colored candle wax may still leave a stain after being removed from the carpet. This stain should come out easily by spraying the spot with water or rubbing alcohol and blotting repeatedly with a white cotton towel.

Remember to rinse the area thoroughly with fresh water afterwards. Dry the spot with a wet vac or dry towels.

If you can’t get rid of the stain, call a professional carpet cleaner to handle it for you.

Author Bio: Victor is currently Owner and President of AJS Carpet Cleaning, Inc. in Utah. For more cleaning tips visit AJS Carpet Cleaning, Inc. Or Utah County Carpet Cleaning Or Carpet Cleaning Springville

Category: Home Management
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