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Candle wax dripped onto my tablecloth. Is there a good way to remove it?

To remove candle wax, the waxy portion of the stain needs to be removed first, followed by removal of the dye portion of the stain. Spray or sponge* with a dry-cleaning solvent (example: Energine) or treat with a stain stick. Then rub with a heavy duty liquid detergent and scrub in hot water. To remove the dye portion of the stain, soak in an all fabric bleach (examples: Biz, Clorox 2, Snowy Bleach, Vivid) diluted according to package directions. If the fabric is colorfast to bleach, liquid chlorine bleach may be used. Wash the tablecloth in as hot of water allowable for the fabric using detergent.

*"Sponging" confines the stain to a small area and keeps it from spreading. To do this, use absorbent material, such as clean rags or white paper towels, and a dry-cleaning solvent, spot remover, or aerosol pretreatment spray. Follow these steps: Pad the working surface with clean rags or paper towels that can absorb stains. Place the stained area or spot on the fabric face down over the padded surface. Dampen a small white cloth with solvent. Use the dampened cloth to pat the stain from the wrong side of the fabric. Feather the edges of the stain working from the outside toward the center to keep the stained area from getting larger. As the stain transfers to the absorbent material beneath the fabric, move the stain to a clean place on the absorbent material so the stain has a clean place on which to transfer. Repeat this procedure until all traces of stain are gone. Launder to remove any ring that might be left by the solvent.


Reference: "Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal, Pm-858, Iowa State University Extension
Related Information:
Consumer Choices: Getting Better Laundry Results
 

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