How To Remove Candle Wax From Carpet - Electrodry

CALL 13 27 13 CALL 13 27 13 BOOK NOW LIVE IN SYDNEY?

• SERVICES

• SPECIALS
• LOCATIONS
• BLOGS
• ONLINE STORE
• CONTACT US

Preventing Mould Complaints: A Property Manager and Hospitality Guide to Humidity Control

Effective and Natural Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home

How to Remove a Coffee Stain from Carpet

SERVICES

• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

  Carpet Dry Cleaning Upholstery Cleaning Leather Lounge Cleaning Rug Cleaning
• Mattress Cleaning
• Tile & Grout Cleaning
• Mould Removal
• Air Conditioner Cleaning

• Wood Floor Refinishing

  Timber Refresh Timber Restore Wood Floor Sanding UV-Cured Floor Coatings Bamboo Floor Refinishing Deck Restore
• Vinyl Floor Cleaning
• Pest Control

CALL 13 27 13 BOOK ONLINE LIVE IN SYDNEY?

• Services

  Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services

  • Carpet Dry Cleaning
  • Upholstery Cleaning
  • Leather Lounge Cleaning
  • Rug Cleaning

  Professional Home Services

  • Mattress Cleaning
  • Tile and Grout Cleaning
  • Vinyl Floor Cleaning
  • Mould Removal
  • Air Conditioner Cleaning
  • Pest Control Services

  Wood Floor Refinishing Services

  • All Wood Floor Refinishing Services
  • Timber Refresh
  • Timber Restore
  • Wood Floor Sanding
  • UV-Cured Floor Coatings
  • Bamboo Floor Restoration
  • Deck Restore

  Products

  • E-Gard Carpet & Fabric Protection
  • Electro-Shield Long-Lasting Antimicrobial Protection
  

  Preventing Mould Complaints: A Property Manager and Hospitality Guide to Humidity Control

  

  Effective and Natural Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Home

  

  How to Remove a Coffee Stain from Carpet

  
• Specials
• Locations
• Blogs
• Online Store
• Contact Us

How to Remove Candle Wax from Carpet

Published on Feb 14, 2018

Stain Treatment Tips

Candles are an essential part of many experiences - whether it’s a dinner by candlelight, a birthday celebration, or simply relaxing in the bath, no moment feels complete without them.When candles melt, however, they can leave behind stubborn wax. Candle wax is particularly tricky to remove because it begins as a liquid that seeps into surfaces before hardening and embedding itself into your carpet fibres. With a bit of effort and the right approach, it can usually be removed. Here’s what we recommend.

 

Quick Summary – Candle Wax Fix

• Freeze: Ice bag a few minutes, harden wax.
• Scrape: Lift with blunt knife or card; vacuum bits.
• Heat: Warm iron + paper towel draws out wax.

Stains: Dab dye marks with rubbing alcohol or Electro-3 remover.Need backup? Call 13 27 13 or book online.

Things to Note Before You Begin

Before you start removing candle wax from carpet, it helps to know a few simple things that can make the job easier and prevent further damage.

• Let the wax harden first. Don’t try to wipe or scrub soft wax. It’ll only spread deeper into the fibres. Wait until it’s firm before scraping.

• Test before you clean. Always try your cleaning method on a small, hidden section of carpet first to make sure it won’t cause discolouration or damage.

• Use white paper towels or plain cloths. Coloured paper or printed material can transfer dye when heat is applied.

• Be gentle with heat. Keep the iron or hair dryer on low and never hold it in one spot for too long. Excess heat can damage carpet fibres.

• Avoid harsh chemicals. Stick to mild detergents or purpose-made carpet cleaners. Strong solvents can cause fading.

• Work slowly and patiently. Candle wax can be stubborn. It’s better to take your time than to force it and damage the carpet pile.

How to remove candle wax stains on carpet using ice

What you'll need

• bag of ice

• plastic scraper or an old credit card

• vacuum

• carpet cleaning solution

• clean cloth

Steps to removing wax on carpet using ice

1. Apply a bag of ice over the candle wax to freeze it.

2. Gently scrape off the wax using a blunt knife or an old credit card.

3. Vacuum off the candle wax debris.

4. Spray the area with a cleaning solution.

5. Rinse with a damp cloth dipped in clean water.

Whilst quick and easy, this method will usually leave some candle wax in the carpet fibres. If that occurs, we recommend trying the hot method next.

Things to note

• Wrap the ice in a plastic bag to stop moisture soaking into the carpet.

• Scrape gently to avoid damaging fibres.

• Whilst quick and easy, this method will usually leave some candle wax in the carpet fibres. If that occurs, we recommend trying the hot method next.

How to remove candle wax stains on carpet using a clothes iron

What you'll need

• clothes iron
• plain brown paper bag

Steps to removing wax on carpet using a clothes iron

1. Lay a plain brown paper bag or paper towels over the candle wax. Be careful not to use printed paper as it could potentially transfer to the surface you're cleaning.

2. Set your iron on warm or low but NO STEAM. Apply it over the paper bag with a bit of pressure. This should transfer the wax onto the paper bag.

3. Don't exert too much pressure and avoid staying in one area too long. Keep moving and shifting the paper bag to get all the candle wax.

4. Replace with a fresh paper bag if necessary.

How to remove wax on carpet using a hair dryer

What you'll need

• hair dryer
• paper towels

Steps to removing wax on carpet using a clothes iron

1. Set the hair dryer on medium and melt the wax.

2. Wipe off the wax with paper towels as the melt.

Things to note

• Hold the dryer about 10 cm above the carpet on medium heat.

• Blot as the wax softens — don’t rub.

• Ideal for delicate carpets that can’t handle direct iron heat.

Using a Clothes Iron and Paper Towels (Heat Method)

What you'll need

• Clothes iron

• Plain brown paper bag or white paper towels

• Clean cloth

• Mild carpet cleaning solution

Steps to removing wax on carpet using a clothes iron

1. Lay a plain brown paper bag or a few paper towels over the wax.

2. Set your iron to low or warm — make sure steam is turned off.

3. Gently press the iron over the paper, moving it slowly in circles.

4. The wax will begin to melt and transfer to the paper.

5. Shift to a clean area of paper as it absorbs the wax and repeat as needed.

6. Once done, lightly clean the spot with a mild carpet cleaner and blot dry.

Things to note

• Avoid using printed paper - ink can transfer when heated.

• Don’t leave the iron sitting still or use high heat, as this can melt carpet fibres.

Using Ice to Freeze the Wax (Cold Method)

What you'll need

• Bag of ice or frozen peas (wrapped in a towel)

• Plastic scraper, butter knife or old credit card

• Vacuum cleaner

Steps to removing wax on carpet using ice

1. Place a bag of ice over the wax for about 5–10 minutes to harden it.

2. Once firm, gently scrape away as much of the wax as possible.

3. Vacuum the area to collect any loosened flakes.

Things to note

• Don’t let moisture from melting ice soak into the carpet - wrap the ice in plastic or a towel.

• This method works best as a first step before applying the heat method.

Using Baking Soda or Cornstarch to Absorb Residue (Finishing Touch)

What you'll need

• Baking soda or cornstarch

• Soft brush or cloth

• Vacuum cleaner

Steps to removing wax residue on carpet using baking soda

1. After removing the wax, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda (or cornstarch) over the area.

2. Leave it for 15–30 minutes to absorb any remaining oils or residue.

3. Gently brush the area, then vacuum thoroughly.

Things to note

• This step helps restore texture and freshness after heat or solvent cleaning.

• It’s especially helpful if the candle was scented or left an oily mark.

We found that some jobs you can do with either the cold or hot method, while others will require you to employ both, by first scraping off as much as you can with the cold method, then finishing the job with the hot method to remove any remaining residue. If the candle had dye in it, it may leave a stain in the carpet even after trying both of these methods. Don't stress! We have some tips to try to get the stain out.

Tips to Removing Candle Wax With Dye Stains

Some candles have some sort of dye which could leave a stain even after removing the candle wax. Here are some things you can try if your cleaning solution was not able to remove the stains. Be careful to test in an inconspicuous area first to check if they are safe to use.

• Using rubbing alcohol - Moisten the stain with rubbing alcohol and let it sit for half an hour. Blot the stained area with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. Then rinse with a clean damp cloth. You may need to repeat a few times to remove the candle wax stains.

• With WD-40 - Spray a bit of WD-40 onto the stain and leave it for a few minutes. Use a clean rag to blot the stains. This is also a good method but may require careful cleaning and rinsing after to remove any oily residue that can attract dust and dirt.

• Using Electro-3 Spot and Stain Remover - Use according to the instructions on the bottle

Grant Burchell

Business Manager | Home Care Specialist at Electrodry

With over 20 years of hands-on experience, Grant leads Electrodry's national team and still works in the field. His tips are based on real-world know-how – from carpet and upholstery care to mould removal and floor maintenance – all aimed at helping you enhance your space.

Subscribe to Tips and Special Offers

Sign up to receive email updates about our services, special promotions and cleaning tips!

First Name Last Name Email Address Validate