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Short answer
Candle wax, chewing gum and slime all come off the same way first: harden them with ice in a bag, then gently lift or scrape off as much as possible with a blunt edge. Treat what remains according to the fabric's cleaning code, test any method on a hidden area, never rub, and call a professional for velvet, coloured wax or large marks.
How do you remove candle wax?
- 1. Harden: hold ice in a plastic bag on the wax until it is brittle.
- 2. Lift: gently scrape off the hardened wax with a blunt knife or old card.
- 3. Remaining residue: on washable, iron-safe fabric, lay plain absorbent paper over the mark and press briefly with a warm iron on a low setting, moving the paper as it absorbs wax.
- 4. Any oily mark left: treat as a grease stain. See How to Remove Stains from a Fabric Sofa.
Watch out
Never use an iron on velvet, the coated side of a blackout, or upholstery with foam behind it. Coloured wax can leave dye behind; call a professional rather than spreading it.
How do you remove chewing gum?
Harden it with an ice cube in a bag, then pick it off gently in pieces. Work slowly so you don't pull threads or pile. Treat any remaining mark with a cloth barely dampened with water and a little mild detergent, blotting from the outside in, if the cleaning code allows water.
How do you remove slime?
- Scrape off as much as you can while it is still soft and in one piece.
- Harden what is left with ice, then pick it off.
- Lift the residue: many people use a little white vinegar on a cloth to loosen slime; test it on a hidden area first, as it can affect some colours.
- Blot with a cloth dampened with water and mild detergent, then with clean water, and let it dry evenly.
What should you avoid?
- Rubbing, which pushes residue deeper and roughens the fabric.
- Heat on unknown fabrics: hair dryers and irons can melt synthetic fibres and set stains.
- Solvents on fabric whose cleaning code does not allow them.
- Soaking upholstery cushions.
Check the cleaning code first. See Fabric Care Symbols Explained and How to Clean a Velvet Sofa.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get candle wax out of curtains?
Harden it with ice, scrape off what you can, then on iron-safe fabric press absorbent paper over the residue with a warm, low iron.
How do I get chewing gum off a sofa?
Harden it with ice in a bag and pick it off gently, then blot any mark with mild detergent if the code allows water.
How do I remove slime from fabric?
Scrape off the excess, harden the rest with ice, then loosen the residue carefully and blot with mild detergent. Test anything first.
Can I iron wax out of velvet?
No. Never iron velvet; call a professional cleaner.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
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