by Kat Apf

Created on: March 04, 2013

Wax on a tablecloth doesn't mean the tablecloth has to be tossed in the garbage. Most times it's not a disaster when wax spills on the tablecloth.  There is an easy way to remove the wax so you'll still be able to use it.

The Freezer Method

Do not try to scrape the wax off while it's still mushy and warm.  Fold the tablecloth up and stick it in the freezer. You may want to put the tablecloth into a large freezer bag just in case there is something sticky in your freezer.  Leave it there for an hour or two or overnight. 

Scrape the hardened/frozen wax off the tablecloth with a butter knife.  Chances are, you'll have an oily stain there which you can treat with Spray 'N Wash or Shout and launder. It might take more than one wash to get the leftover oil out, but it will most likely go away.

The Iron Method

For this method you'll need an iron, an ironing board, a towel and a brown paper bag without designs on it.  So don't use a grocery store bag with their logo printed on it or you'll end up with a bigger mess than you started with. 

Put the waxy part of the tablecloth, wax side up, on the ironing board, on top of the clean towel.  Put the brown bag over the wax and using a low setting, press the iron on the bag.  Be sure the iron isn't wildly hot or you'll ruin the tablecloth.  The wax should transfer to the paper bag and off of your tablecloth. 

Again, you should treat with a stain remover and wash the tablecloth; and again, this might take more than one washing.

These methods should work, but if neither of does, you can resort to dry cleaning or tossing it and buying a new one.  If you have a tablecloth you especially love, an antique or heirloom, be sure to use some sort of barrier between a candle and the tablecloth. Think about a glass or plastic cutting board or a small sheet of contact paper to go under the candle so if it does spill, the wax lands on the barrier instead of the tablecloth. You can incorporate the cutting board or contact paper with your table decorations and it won't even be seen.

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