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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Candle Wax :(
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04/16/2009 12:50:41 PM · #1
Ok um anyone know anyways of getting candle wax out of muslin? I just found a silver dollar size blotch on my black backdrop :S figured Id ask here before I do something stupid that might ruin it...

-dave
04/16/2009 12:52:37 PM · #2
Why, Yes, yes I do know how to get it out
04/16/2009 12:54:52 PM · #3
paper bag and an hottish iron?
04/16/2009 01:16:19 PM · #4
Not sure if i heard this for wax, but it should work. Throw the blackdrop in the freezer for a few hours. The wax should harden and then you can break it off.
04/16/2009 01:23:02 PM · #5
Originally posted by metatate:

paper bag and an hottish iron?

Better with a paper towel and a hottish iron; the paper towel will aborb the wax better than a paper bag.
04/16/2009 01:23:55 PM · #6
Originally posted by keibo84:

Not sure if i heard this for wax, but it should work. Throw the blackdrop in the freezer for a few hours. The wax should harden and then you can break it off.


Yea Juliet mentioned that as well, going to give that a shot then the ironing thing... the wax had apparently gone straight through the muslin and into the carpet, good thing Im single or that might have not been pretty lol, then again the carpet was only $20 or $30 so not too big of a deal and my 5yo son can and most likely will do worse to it lol. the only other problem is the BG is a PITA to work with at 10'x20' :S

thanks for the advice, going to try these hopefully tonight...
04/16/2009 01:31:06 PM · #7
For the carpet, try rubbing it with an icecube or freezer pack. It will make the wax hard and you might be able to pick it off.
04/16/2009 02:03:17 PM · #8
Yeah I can tell you are gritting your teeth there Dave, ya hate it when i am right

hehhhehehe
04/16/2009 04:02:56 PM · #9
First step is to get it cold and chip off what you can. Then use a solvent that will dilute the wax. I like GoofOff, it solves a huge variety of adhesives and rarely effects color fastness. next to duct tape, the best tool that no house should be without. It can safely pull crayon off of latex paint, dried up adhesive off of autos without messing up the paint, ect. Test a corner or the fabric for colorfastness before you use it tin the middle of the drop. Gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid will cut wax as well, but smell a lot worse than the goofoff.
If you try the Iron technique, wrap the base in foil, or that wax will get on your iron, and will coat anything you iron with slowly diminishing, but never ending coats of wax. If you still have no luck call a ski shop, the guys who tune and wax skis are always dealing with this issue.
04/16/2009 04:05:55 PM · #10
blotting paper( if you can still buy the stuff) and a hot iron
04/16/2009 04:40:03 PM · #11
Thanks for the comments and suggestions, Im prob going to start at the top and work my way down with the solutions lol.

Many many many thanks to you all.

-dave
04/16/2009 04:50:41 PM · #12
Originally posted by dknourek:

Ok um anyone know anyways of getting candle wax out of muslin? I just found a silver dollar size blotch on my black backdrop :S figured Id ask here before I do something stupid that might ruin it...

-dave


Wow, asking before you do stupid? You've changed, dear! ;)

Okay, my tips gleaned from my sentence job at a laundromat;

Get any residue off that you can. Cold definitely helps. Be fussy, take you time, and scrape/pick off every bit you can get without scraping your fabric raw.

I would NOT recommend the hot iron thing, as that will remove some but will simply make it easier for the rest to sink deeper into the fibers and spread. It can work on synthetics but whatever you use for a blotter has to be more absorbent than the fabric, to make the wax drawn to it instead of the cloth, and cotton is very absorbent. You don't see polyester swabs in the drugstore, do you?

Obviously, waterbased cleaning won't work. Isopropyl alchohol, drycleaning solvent, etc., but TEST for colourfastness first!! This means letting it dry and sit for a while, since any reaction won't necessarily be immediate.

We used to use a product called POG (paint, oil and grease remover) that worked well but it's only available in wholesale. Maybe phone your local laundromat or drycleaner and ask what they use and if it's possible to cadge a couple ounces?
04/16/2009 05:29:16 PM · #13
Oh that gave me a great idea. I wonder if break clean would cut the wax. I used it on the seats in my old Camaro to get out ancient stains... need LOTS of ventilation but might work :D

And yes Sheila, I asked "before" doing something stupid, my meds must have worn off this am ;)

*ETA* Im a single dad ATM so I tend to ask first before "cleaning" anything questionable, I dont have someone to fall back on to fix what I screw up lol.

Message edited by author 2009-04-16 17:31:48.
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