Removing Wax from Fabric?

frugalswan

Help! Last night, just before bed, my H2B blew out a small, black coloured candle. Unfortunately, something happened and it blew all over his face and over the curtain behind the candle - everywhere was covered in hot wax Luckily, my H2B wears glasses, so it didn't damage his eyes (I'm hoping; I'm still a little paranoid and worried as I type this). I've managed to scrape it off the wooden cabinet the thing was standing on, but I've got black-coloured wax splashes all over a cream curtain, and it will take forever to pick it off. Not only that, but the dye in the candle looks like it might stain the curtain. Is there a solution to getting it clean?

Thanks in advance,

x Frugalswan x

SailorSam

Me, a mere man knows nothing, so a lot of you ladies will no doubt tell me this is wrong but i'm reading from a book...........
Crayon marks and candle wax can be easily removed from fabric.Cut 2 pieces of brown paper (or 2 peices of folded paper towel) to cover both sides of the stained area and press with a warm iron.The wax should melt and stick to the paper.

Here endeth the first lesson.

Barneysmom

First of all what fabric are the curtains made of?
Wax melts at 60 degrees so you could put them in the washing machine at this temp and it will wash out. Pain in the bum I know but it looks like you'll have to take them down anyway.

SunnyGirl

I got a Womens Institute book of household tips out of the library yesterday & they reccommend the ironing with brown paper trick for wax too. Move the paper round so each time you are ironing onto a clean bit. HTH

flowerfish

I second the brown paper and warm iron. Just make sure you put brown paper on both sides or you end up with wax on whatever it touches and getting wax off the iron is not fun!!!!

beautiful_ravens

Yes the hot iron trick works well, I use kitchen roll on both sides and that absorbs the wax, just keep using a fresh bit of kitchen roll until no more wax comes off. Ive never tried brown paper. Also, some fabrics will still need washing afterwards.

frugalswan

Thank you to everyone and your suggestions. I did indeed try the kitchen paper and iron trick and it did work ... to a point. I will still need to wash it (dry clean is going to cost £20 ) as the wax has gone but the dye from the candle has stained it a bit. It's back up on the pole at the moment as we want to be in while the thing is being cleaned (dry clean only ) and not go without a curtain overnight (it covers a patio door) or many days thanks to the holiday closures.

Thank you

x Frugalswan x

Raksha

:eek: I'd be more worried about setting fire to the curtains