How to Remove Wax from Upholstery

Co-authored by Ashley Matuska

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References Approved

Wax stains can be very difficult to remove, especially from upholstery. Luckily, there are several methods that can be used to remove the wax. Begin by cooling the wax, removing the excess wax, and then transferring the wax to a paper bag using heat.

Things You Should Know

Let excess wax dry before chilling it with ice and scraping it off the fabric.
Place a brown paper bag over the wax and iron it until the wax transfers from the fabric to the bag.
Alternatively, you can heat the wax with a hairdryer, apply WD-40 to the upholstery, or scrub it with water and dish detergent.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Excess Wax

1
Allow the wax to dry. If you start removing the wax before it has completely dried, you might smear the wax and make it more difficult to remove.^{[1]
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2
Ice the wax. Once the wax is dry, chill it using ice. Add a few ice cubes in a plastic sandwich bag and apply it to the surface of the wax. Chilling the wax will cause it to become brittle and easier to chip away.^{[2]
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- If the wax is on a pillow or removable fabric, consider putting the fabric in the freezer for better results.
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3
Scrape off the wax. Using a butter knife, gently scrape the excess wax off of the fabric. Be careful to not use too much force as you could damage the fabric. You probably will not be able to remove all of the wax from the upholstery at this time.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using an Iron

1
Warm up an iron. Plug in a clothes iron and let it warm up to a medium heat setting. Read the fabric’s label to ensure that the fabric is iron safe. If the fabric does not have a label, test the iron on a small, inconspicuous spot before applying the heat to a larger area.^{[3]
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2
Place a brown paper bag over the wax. Iron the brown paper bag. The iron will begin to melt the wax and transfer it from the fabric to the paper bag.^{[4]
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- A clean rag can be used in place of a paper bag; however, the wax is likely to remain on the cloth after washing.
- Be careful to use a paper bag without any writing. The ink from the print will transfer and stain the upholstery. If you use a paper bag from a store with a label, cut the label off of the bag before use.
3
Repeat several times. Move the paper bag and repeat the process until all of the wax has transferred from the upholstery to the bag.^{[5]
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4
Remove any stains. Use an upholstery or carpet cleaner to remove any residual stains after the wax is lifted.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.} Spray the stain and let the cleaner sit for one minute. Then, carefully blot the stain with a clean microfiber towel, cloth or paper towel.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.} Repeat this process until the stain is gone.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Alternative Methods

1
Heat the stain with a hairdryer. If you do not have an iron available, a hairdryer can have the same effect. Use the hairdryer to melt the wax and then carefully lay the brown paper bag on top of the wax. The paper bag will begin to absorb the warm wax. Repeat the process until all of the wax has been transferred.^{[9]
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- Use a blank paper bag or clean rag for this method as well.
2
Apply WD-40. WD-40 breaks down the wax and makes it softer and easier to clean off of upholstery. Gently scrub the solution into the fabric and wipe away with a clean rag or sponge. Use warm water to clean the solution from the fabric once all of the wax is removed.^{[10]
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- Test the WD-40 on an inconspicuous portion of the fabric before using it on a more noticeable section.
3
Use dish detergent. Combine the dish detergent with warm water in a small container.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.} Dish detergent is designed to break down grease and, in some cases, can break down the wax. Gently scrub the wax with a clean sponge or rag and then let dry.^{[12]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How do you clean couch pillows attached to the couch?

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.

Ashley Matuska

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

First, vacuum the entire surface. Then do spot cleaning with a cloth and mild soap. If it does not work, you can ask a professional to steam clean the couch.
Question

Will this work for a stain that has been there for a while, or does this have to be done within the hour?

Community Answer

As long as you let it solidify fully and have scraped what wax you can off, you should be good. Just make sure not to let the area get too dirty.
Question

What if I don't have an iron?

Community Answer

Consider using a hairdryer.