Proven methods for quickly and safely removing wax from a jacket

Wax marks on outerwear, including jackets, are removed using a variety of improvised and professional means. The choice of method depends on the quality of the wax and the type of material.

Before you begin the cleaning procedure, it is also recommended that you become familiar with the possible limitations of the proposed methods and the nuances of cleansing.

We'll tell you in this article how to remove wax or paraffin from a candle from a jacket at home.

How to remove paraffin from a candle at home?

The peculiarities of cleaning a jacket from a wax stain are associated not only with the type of fabric from which it is sewn.

Many popular methods are difficult to apply to outerwear, since they have a lining, and in some cases, filler. However, with the right choice of product and compliance with the cleaning technology, there is every chance of returning the product to a presentable appearance.

Available means

Homemade anti-wax methods are conventionally divided into thermal and chemical. The first are associated with heating and cooling. The second group of methods is the use of liquids and powders, which are widely used in everyday life for various purposes. The most effective techniques include:

Freezing

The stained area must be cooled so that the wax turns into a solid state.

The frozen deposit is removed by carefully prying it off with a spatula. or a blunt scraper.

To freeze the jacket, place it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. If the size of the item does not allow this, apply an ice pack to the stain.

Hot air

The method is used after mechanical removal of excess wax. Place several paper napkins or cotton cloth on the remaining greasy stain.

Then Using a hairdryer, melt stubborn paraffin, periodically pressing the napkin tightly to the fabric jackets. The procedure is repeated several times, changing the blotting pad.

Steaming

The technology of this method is the same as the previous one. The only difference is that hot steam is used to heat the wax.

Talc, starch, baby powder

These products absorb oily substances well. After removing large drops of wax from the surface of the fabric, the remaining stains are generously sprinkled with dry powder and covered with paper.

Next, press with a heavy object and hold for 30-40 minutes. Then shake off excess powder and clean the area with a brush.

Solvents

After removing the wax deposit, wipe the stain on the jacket with a cotton pad soaked in purified gasoline, acetone or turpentine. If necessary, repeat the procedure using a new swab with solvent.

Alcohol

The following is used as an alcohol-containing reagent:

• denatured alcohol,
• medical alcohol,
• ammonia.

The wax mark is wiped with a cloth soaked in one of these liquids. To enhance the effect, you can mix regular alcohol and ammonia.

Caution should be exercised when using hot methods, especially those involving steam. Careless handling of the heating device may result in burns.

Special formulations

In household chemical stores and online markets you can purchase ready-made chemicals that help remove wax from fabric.

The range of special products includes:

1. Weicon Chewing Gum Remover. The spray is designed to remove chewing gum and adhesives, including wax. The product is suitable for hard surfaces, fleecy and fabric materials. The action is based on the freezing effect. According to the instructions, spray the spray onto the stain and leave for 5-10 seconds. After this, it is removed mechanically using a plastic spatula, which comes with the kit. A 400 ml can costs an average of 1,700 rubles.
2. Shik Wax solvent. Russian product from the Shik brand. Designed for removing wax from tools, furniture, and clothing. Apply the liquid to a cotton pad and wipe the contaminated area of ​​the jacket. The cost of a 100 ml bottle averages 600 rubles.
3. Gi-Gi Sure Clean. A professional multifunctional product from an American manufacturer. It is designed to clean fabric, wood, and plastic from wax, paraffin, fat, chewing gum, and lipstick. The spray should not be used to remove wax residue from the skin. The 473 ml bottle has a price tag of 910 rubles.

Features of removal from various materials

The range of products and methods used to remove wax stains is quite wide. But they should be used taking into account the specificity of the tissue.What works for one material may be ineffective or even dangerous for another material.

Raincoat

This type of fabric is capable of partially absorbing fatty substances, included in the composition of wax. Therefore, mechanical removal is not enough.

For final degreasing, alcohol-containing liquids (denatured alcohol, ammonia, ethyl alcohol) or organic solvents (gasoline, acetone) are used.

Polyester

For synthetic fabrics, freezer cooling is suitable. With careful handling, the product can be treated with hot steam.

Chemical reagents used:

• alcohol;
• stronger solvents - acetone, gasoline.

After treatment, the polyester jacket must be washed with powder, gel or laundry soap.

Bologna

A type of waterproof synthetic fabric can be removed from paraffin using a hairdryer or steamer. The melted wax is blotted with a paper or cotton napkin.

Leather

The smooth leather coating does not absorb oily wax compounds, so removing build-up is easy. The easiest way is freezing. The hardened wax is removed with a spatula and the area of ​​the jacket is additionally wiped with alcohol or ammonia.

Suede

In order not to spoil the fleecy surface of natural or artificial suede, you should use steaming or freezing.

You can treat a wax stain using a complex composition, including:

• ammonia solution (35 ml),
• ethyl alcohol (10 ml),
• gasoline (50 ml).

After cleaning, the suede area is held over steam to restore the fleecy structure of the material.Special brushes and sponges for suede also help to restore the velvety feel.

Jeans

Most anti-wax treatment methods are suitable for jackets made from this fabric. Can be used:

• freezing,
• steaming,
• heating with a hairdryer,
• cleaning with solvents or powder adsorbents.

What can't be done and why?

Despite the availability and ease of cleaning wax stains from a jacket, There are several taboos in this matter:

1. Firstly, you should not use sharpened knives, blades or other sharp objects to scrape off the wax, as the fabric can easily be damaged even with careful movements.
2. Secondly, it is forbidden to remove colored wax using “hot” methods. Heating promotes even greater penetration of the dye between the fibers, making cleaning more difficult.
3. Thirdly, you cannot remove the buildup of wax mechanically until it has completely hardened. Such attempts will lead to smearing of the wax or paraffin substance on the fabric and increase contamination.

Tips on the topic

When cleaning outerwear, it is important to remember some nuances of using anti-wax products:

• when using a new drug, a trial test should be carried out on an inconspicuous area of ​​the jacket;
• colored wax is first removed using a degreasing method and then with a suitable stain remover;
• large-scale contamination is treated, moving from the periphery of the stain to the center;
• for mechanical removal of volumetric influx, only blunt scrapers and spatulas should be used;
• If a wax drop is detected, you should immediately begin cleaning, because... removing old stains is much more difficult;
• After processing the wax marks, it is recommended to wash the jacket manually or automatically.

Useful information on ways to remove wax from various surfaces can be found in this section.

Video on the topic of the article

A method for removing wax from any fabric is presented in the video:

Conclusion

Removing wax from a jacket is not difficult if you focus on the quality of the material. In most cases they use:

• freezing,
• steaming,
• heating with hot air.

If the fabric structure allows, greasy wax stains can be removed with solvents or alcohols. No less effective are ready-made chemical preparations from the category of household and cosmetic chemicals.