Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Cleaning
Don't cry over spilled wax, there's an easy way to rid your carpets of hardened candle wax.Sure, now the home-care market is permeated with cleaning solutions. But there was a time when we relied on good ol' fashioned elbow grease and know-how when it came to cleaning our homes. We may have newer, more advanced options, but there's something to be said about the methods that have stood the test of time.
So we've decided to put old-school cleaning techniques to the ultimate test -- pitting them against high-tech, modern-day cleaning solutions. Our next installment covers a common problem around the holidays: candle wax in the carpet.
Don't let drips get you down! Photo: Flickr, DJOtaku
Candles - they infuse a room with a refreshing scent, add a calming ambiance for a relaxing evening and can create a dripping, stubborn mess if they burn too long.
Almost everyone who loves candlelight has dealt with wax spills - and drips onto the carpet are most frustrating. But it's easier to clean than you might think.
Old Solution: Paper bag + iron
First, remove any excess wax that you can without disturbing the carpeting pile. Cut a paper grocery bag to make a flat surface large enough to fully cover the spill, and place over the wax. With a warm (not too hot!) iron, press down on the bag and move in small circles. The wax should liquefy, creating a grease-like stain that will appear on the bag. Continue moving the bag to a new clean area, and then repeat until all of the wax attaches itself to the bag.
If there is extra-stubborn residue remaining, you can try applying an ice cube to re-harden the melted wax, then repeat the process.
Note: For berber carpets, be sure not to tug at any of the fiber loops as that can cause a run that can span the length of the carpet!
New Solution: Call the pros
Professional carpet cleaners abound, and there's likely one near you that would happily come in to tackle the job -- for a cost. Stanley Steamer charges "$51 for one room" -- but they have a "$99 minimum charge" making it a bit less than cost effective for cleaning one little candle spill.
The Verdict: Save yourself the money, unless you're in need of a multiple-carpet clean. For small jobs, the old, do-it-yourself remedy works like a charm.
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