How to Remove Candle Wax from Your Tablecloth in 5 Easy Steps

Dinner table with candles

I love a good dinner party. I love sitting around the dinner table surrounded by good friends and good food. I usually like to set the tone for the evening with a small centrepiece of flowers and some candles sprinkled along the length of the table. There’s something so cozy and inviting about a candlelit dinner, but unfortunately sometimes accidents happen, and candle wax can end up on your beautiful tablecloth. Don’t worry! With just 5 simple steps, you can remove that stubborn wax and restore your tablecloth to its former glory, ready for the next dinner party!

There are two methods or ways you can go about removing candle wax from your tablecloth or most fabrics really. The first method is my favorite and it is the heat transfer method. The second is the freezing method. Continue reading below to see how easy it can be to restore your linens.

Materials You Will Need

  • Butter knife or credit card
  • Paper towels
  • Parchment Paper
  • Iron
  • Stain remover or dish soap
  • Iron
  • Washing machine (if the tablecloth is machine washable)

Step 1 – Cool the Wax

Allow the wax to cool completely. Don’t try to rub it off at the moment of the spill, as this might embed the wax even more into the fabric. Once the wax has completely cooled off and hardened, use a butter knife or credit card to gently scrape or chip off as much of the hardened wax as possible. Be careful not to damage the fabric. You will be left with some residual wax.

Wax that has dripped on your tablecloth

Step 2 – Use the Heat Transfer Method

Place a piece of paper towel below the wax stain and one over the wax stain. You then want to place a piece of parchment paper (about the size of the paper towel) on top of the paper towel. 

Your layers will look like this: a piece of paper towel at the base, your tablecloth, another piece of paper towel and last a piece parchment paper. The paper towel will absorb the wax and the parchment paper will prevent the wax from transferring onto your iron. 

Set your iron to a low heat setting, with no steam. Iron over the parchment paper in small circular motions. The heat will melt the wax, and the paper will absorb it. Keep moving the paper to a clean area and repeat until no more wax transfers onto it. It’s important that you move the paper around to a clean spot because you don’t want to re-introduce the wax back onto the fabric.

Layers of paper towel, fabric and parchment paper underneath the iron

Step 3 – Stain Removal

If there’s still a residue, apply a stain remover directly to the affected area. Alternatively, use a small amount of dish soap. Gently rub the stain remover or soap into the fabric. Let it sit for a few minutes before laundering.

Step 4 – Wash the Tablecloth

If your tablecloth is machine washable, launder it according to the care instructions. Use cold water to prevent any remaining wax from melting and spreading. Check the stain after washing. If it’s still visible, repeat steps 2 and 3 before washing again.

Step 5 – Air Dry

Hang the tablecloth to air dry. Avoid using a dryer, as heat can set any remaining wax stains.

Always test stain removers or dish soap on a small, inconspicuous area of the tablecloth to ensure they don’t cause discolouration.

Remember, accidents happen but don’t let that deter you from lighting those candles at your next dinner party. You are now fully equipped to handle candle wax spill! Happy dining!