How to Remove Crayon and Wax Stains

It never fails. You’re trying to have a romantic candle light dinner and the dripping candle wax covers your beautiful tablecloth. Or how about this scenario: for the hundredth time, your child didn’t clean out his pockets, so you ran a green crayon through the dryer. Now you have a melted mess.

Handling crayon and wax stains isn’t easy, but if you’re willing to put in a bit of time, these stains don’t have to be permanent.

What do you think about when you hear or see the word ‘wax?’ Candles, correct? While wax does make up the majority of a candle, wax also comes in other forms, like wax cubes for wax warmers and crayons.

Getting rid of the wax left behind on your clothes isn’t actually hard to do. What’s difficult is the candle grease and the dye colour that accompanies it.

So how does melted crayon, dripping candle wax and red wax stain removal actually work? Keep in mind that while the following tips can help you get rid of some forms of wax, there are certain kinds that require a professional touch.

If you do want to get rid of crayon and wax stains yourself, here are some tips:

1. Choose a Cold Power detergent and stain remover
2. Let the stain dry
3. Scrape off the dried wax or crayon with a spoon or blunt knife
4. Pre-treat the area with your Cold Power detergent
5. Wash in the hottest water possible that is safe for the fabric
6. Verify the stain is gone before drying

To get rid of leftover greasy wax residue, as well as any dyes in the crayons or candles, you’ll need a tough detergent. Use Cold Power Liquids or Caps for most washloads, but consider Lovables for coloured clothing and delicate fabrics.

Before applying the detergent, wait for the wax to dry. If you’re short on time, you can speed up the process by freezing the wax with an ice cube. After it dries, use a spoon or blunt knife to scrape the solid material off.

After this, apply a generous amount of your Cold Power detergent to the area, soaking it thoroughly. This will help with both dyed colour and candle grease stain removal.

Wash at the highest temperature possible (between 50- 60 degrees Celsius is best.) However, be sure to check the garment label to see what the highest temperature is that the fabric can handle safely.

If the stain is still present after the first wash, repeat these steps. It may be that the wax stain is impossible to remove. If this is the case, take it to a professional; don’t put it in the dryer.

So, what happens if the wax stain or crayon stain is on a fabric that cannot be machine washed? Like the upholstery of your car or your carpet? In this case, you’ll want to spot treat. First, let the wax stain dry, then remove as much as possible. Then, apply the detergent, let it sit, then rinse with hot water. Blot dry. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Red is a particularly difficult wax stain to get rid of, especially when it comes to white clothing. Be patient with this colour; you may have to repeat the stain removal process a couple of times before the red dye comes out.

Accidents happen, and sometimes you find wax stains and crayon stains days after they happen, or even after they have gone through the dryer. If this is the case, use your iron to get it off the clothing. Place a couple paper bags or paper towel on the top, then press the stain with a warm iron. The warmth of the iron should melt the wax, encouraging it to attach to the paper bag.

After you’re satisfied with the wax removal, use the steps above to remove any grease, residue or dye.

Find a crayon in with a load of clothes? Did a romantic candle lit dinner go awry? Use these instructions to remove wax and crayon stains.