Removing Candle Wax From Vinyl Flooring

mystic_bertie

Guys im moving out of my rented accomodation. My landlord already had a walk round when i said i was leaving in 1 month. He pointed out a number of things but he never noticed the red candle wax on the kitchen floor which is vinyl. If he notices it when i move out he will take it from my deposit, if i deal with it now i can do it through the insurance. What do you guys think is there anything that can clean this wax off?

-taff

Piece of absorbent paper or fabric of some kind you don't care about, hold a warm iron over the top of the fabric or lightly press [make sure th iron is not at it's hottest detting or you might burn the vinyl] until the candle wax melts. Dont keep it one place for too long, don't press down on the paper heavily.

mystic_bertie

-taff wrote: »

Piece of absorbent paper or fabric of some kind you don't care about, hold a warm iron over the top of the fabric or lightly press [make sure th iron is not at it's hottest detting or you might burn the vinyl] until the candle wax melts. Dont keep it one place for too long, don't press down on the paper heavily.

Thanks for the reply. I was too busy writing my post i forgot to mention what i have tried.. The iron method did not work. I tried white spirits, course scrubbing, electrical chemical contact cleaner, hairdryer. They did not work.

FreeBear

Really, really hot water and maybe a squirt or two of something like Cilit Bang and a toothbrush. A scouring pad is probably not a good idea as it will abrade the surface of the vinyl and give the colours in the wax something to cling to. Be wary about using solvents as many of these will attack the vinyl and make the problem even worse.

that

This below is an odd post, but other have stuff like vinegar in it and those to me hold no credence.
https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/17109/how-to-dissolve-candle-wax-paraffin

looks like the easy choice is vegetable oil or petrol?

Then there is this little gem to remove the wax of your pysanky
http://www.pysanky.info/Wax_Removal/Wax_Removal_Home.html

-taff

If you have tried the heat method and have scrubbed it then there is no wax left. What you have is a dye stain and I have no ideas for that I'm afraid.

Fire_Fox

Can you still feel wax on the floor, or does it seem more like the dye has penetrated?

You could try thin household bleach very carefully say on a cotton bud initially and then a small brush (art/ make up?) or the corner of a folded cotton wool pad. Bleach does not lift the colour out of everything, and there is a decent chance the vinyl is resistant (many people bleach floors).

Please protect your skin and eyes.

mystic_bertie

that wrote: »

This below is an odd post, but other have stuff like vinegar in it and those to me hold no credence.
https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/17109/how-to-dissolve-candle-wax-paraffin

looks like the easy choice is vegetable oil or petrol?

Then there is this little gem to remove the wax of your pysanky
http://www.pysanky.info/Wax_Removal/Wax_Removal_Home.html

I tried the petrol also however it did not budge any of the stain. The dye from the wax seems to be ingrained in the vinyl flooring and wont come off. I dont think specialist cleaners will work either. Who knows though. The insurance are coming to look at it, if they can clean it then thats great but if not then a replacement will be done.

-taff wrote: »

If you have tried the heat method and have scrubbed it then there is no wax left. What you have is a dye stain and I have no ideas for that I'm afraid.

Yes you are right, there is no wax left and its the dye from the wax thats ingrained into the flooring. I have contacted the insurance to let them deal with it.

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Can you still feel wax on the floor, or does it seem more like the dye has penetrated?

You could try thin household bleach very carefully say on a cotton bud initially and then a small brush (art/ make up?) or the corner of a folded cotton wool pad. Bleach does not lift the colour out of everything, and there is a decent chance the vinyl is resistant (many people bleach floors).

Please protect your skin and eyes.

Hi there and thanks for your reply. The bleach method did not work nor did petrol or other chemicals or cleaners. The dye has ingrained inself into the flooring. I have contacted the insurance as nothing seems to budge it.

mystic_bertie

FreeBear wrote: »

Really, really hot water and maybe a squirt or two of something like Cilit Bang and a toothbrush. A scouring pad is probably not a good idea as it will abrade the surface of the vinyl and give the colours in the wax something to cling to. Be wary about using solvents as many of these will attack the vinyl and make the problem even worse.

Thanks for your reply. I did not have cillit bang but i did try flash with bleach, nothing seems to move the dye in the flooring. I have contacted the insurance as im running out of time and things to try.

lozzy81

Have you tried bar keepers friend? It removed a stubborn wax stain from my bath

mystic_bertie

lozzy81 wrote: »

Have you tried bar keepers friend? It removed a stubborn wax stain from my bath

No i have not even heard of it. The insurance is dealing with it now so its off of my hands for now.