How to Clean Wax Spills from Upholstery

Jack said, “How do you get lemongrass scented wax off the sofa?”

Table of Contents:

Removing the Wax
Additional Tips and Advice
Sources

When you first spill wax on a fabric couch or chair, it may seem like the item is ruined. However, removing wax from upholstery is relatively easy, even though the method for removal may sound strange. Follow the steps below to clean the spill and any stain that may remain.

Removing the Wax

You Will Need:

A plastic bag
Ice
A spoon or dull knife
A paper towel, paper bag, or craft paper
An iron
Rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide

Steps to Remove the Wax:

Fill a plastic bag with ice and lay the bag on the wax to freeze the wax.¹
Chip off the solid wax with a spoon or dull knife.¹ Use caution not to tear or damage the upholstery fibers.²
Lay a paper towel³, paper bag¹, or craft paper over the remaining wax.²
Put an iron on medium heat and rub it over the paper towel.¹
As the wax soaks into the paper towel, move the waxy part off the area and put a clean part of the towel over the wax spill to continue melting and absorbing more wax.¹
If a stain remains, moisten a cloth with some rubbing alcohol² or denatured alcohol and test it on a hidden area of the couch first to look for any adverse effects. If safe, blot the alcohol onto the stain until the stain is gone.⁴
If the stain is not removed with the alcohol, try hydrogen peroxide. Test this on a hidden spot first as it could bleach the upholstery fabric. If safe, blot the stain with the peroxide. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then blot the area with a dry cloth to remove the peroxide.¹