Sh1t! Removing candle wax?

[neil.b]

I hope someone can help, I've made a terrible mess.

Last night we had some lit candles on the unit that the TV sits on and as we were rushing out in a hurry, i blew them out....a bit too enthusiastically.

We now have hundreds of spots of splatterd wax on the unit (wood), some on the TV (plastic and glass), some on one speaker (wood) and some on my Squeezebox (plastic).

Anyone know what to do?

[andy mac]

Pick it off? Then you can do the teatowel, and iron to take up the residue?

[miniandy]

andy mac said:

Pick it off? Then you can do the teatowel, and iron to take up the residue?

Seconded. Unless it is a blue candle and you have a cream carpet, in which case you're never getting the stain out!

[David A]

iron a bit of paper or towel over it and by magic the paper absorbs it, just keep replacing the paper till its all done!

Dave

been there done that, on a new carpet . . .

[yertis]

Brown parcel wrapping paper works best, don't know why.

[ATG]

Not sure if the iron trick is going to be too good for the wood and plastic. Maybe try it on a low, low heat to start with.

You might try to find a solvent for the wax. I'd start with paraffin.

[pdV6]

yertis said:

Brown parcel wrapping paper works best, don't know why.

But don't do what MrsV6 did and rev the iron up to its "hotter than the centre of the sun" setting before attacking the wax; just warm enough to melt it is the way to go...

[BliarOut]

Bit of Googling suggests it might work using the brown paper and a hairdryer as well.... Would have thought this was a safer option on the TV.

[yertis]

pdV6 said:

yertis said: Brown parcel wrapping paper works best, don't know why. But don't do what MrsV6 did and rev the iron up to its "hotter than the centre of the sun" setting before attacking the wax; just warm enough to melt it is the way to go...

But of course MrsY did that! The carpet was ruined... They seem to think "hotter, therefore faster" but unfortunately not "hotter, will scorch/melt carpet..." If I'd done that there would have been a mojor row too...

Women - unsafe with any machine tools and I count irons, blenders, and even whisks in that category...

[cymtriks]

You need Granny Brainiac!


Failing that you could try one of those little tubs of stain removers from hardware/diy shops. They usually have specific ones for specific types of stains.

[neil.b]

Cheers for all the tips guys, wish me luck!

(Strange how no women have responded? Domestic Godesses? Domestic Gods more like )

[pdV6]

yertis said:

If I'd done that there would have been a mojor row too...

I know that feeling

[JMGS4]

Scrape off the excess using a blunt knife, then iron a piece of BLOTTING PAPER over and under it...sorted!! Old army ways are best!!!

[yertis]

But who has blotting paper lying around these days?

[up-the-dubs]

Unfortunatly, in my candle story, it wasn't the wax damage that bothered me . 8 seater antique tables are bloody expensive to repair, let me tell you. Good thing is though, my parents didn't notice for about 6 months! It looked brand new for crying out loud.

[pdV6]

up-the-dubs said:

antique tables ... looked brand new

That's where you went wrong!

[up-the-dubs]

pdV6 said:

up-the-dubs said: antique tables ... looked brand new That's where you went wrong!

[EmmaP]

DO NOT USE AN IRON. My mum ruined the lounge carpet like this. After much mocking from my father I did the same too my kitchen carpet using the old iron and brown paper trick.

I would also suggest that you pick the most of it off with your finger nails. I think that the hairdryer and brown paper suggestion sounds like a good, safe option too. That way you will avoid melting and scorching disasters.

[rude girl]

neil.b said:

(Strange how no women have responded? Domestic Godesses? Domestic Gods more like )

Well we're "all useless with any tools", so no point really is there? I for one certainly plan on taking Yertis' advice and never touching the iron, dishwasher, washing machine, or cooker ever again.

Seriously though, not much point in replying because BliarOut had already suggested what I would do - hairdryer and Bounty kitchen roll (it's tougher than the cheap ones).

A hot damp dishcloth might get it out of the grain in the wood as an alternative?

Must say that after doing exactly the same thing with dark blue candlewax splattered up a cream wall years ago, I always put candles out by licking my fingers and squishing the wick now. You don't get loads of guttering smoke either.

[GregE240]

I use a candle snuffer type thing.

Better as you don't get wax on your hands (or the TV or a bloody expensive lamp, which prompted the snuffer purchase).