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UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: shine services on January 14, 2010, 05:02:05 pm

Title: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: shine services on January 14, 2010, 05:02:05 pm
Hi,
Im doing a job 2moro and im told by the customer that the carpet is covered in candle wax? has any1 got any advice on the best way to get it out? amy past experiences with this problem?
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: deep-cleaningukltd on January 14, 2010, 05:07:15 pm
Warm iron and brown paper.
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Ben Lugg on January 14, 2010, 05:16:59 pm
When I had candle wax to remove last month, I did a search and read on a previous post here on CIU about using a hairdryer and vacuum method. 
This was really successful for the red wax I had to remove, but the stain left behind from the red dye was more difficult to deal with.  Some success with red RX iron and damp towel. 
With the hairdryer hold slightly away from the wax and be careful not to overheat the carpet as the fibres could be damaged.  At the same time using the nozzle on the vacuum to suck up the wax as it slowly becomes pliable.  Like magic the wax will be sucked up into the vacuum.  However, there will be small residue of wax coating the inside of the vacuum tube but this is minimal and won't affect the equipment. 
Good luck with it, but make sure your customer knows that you may not be able to remove 100% of the wax dye. 
Regards,
Ben
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Steve. Taylor on January 14, 2010, 06:27:08 pm
WARM IRON BROWN PAPER FOR ME 2
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: michael wadsworth on January 14, 2010, 06:55:32 pm
WARM IRON BROWN PAPER FOR ME 2
Yes warm iron brown paper, also citrus gel for surface wax. I recently took 3 large deep blobs of red wax from my own 80% wool carpet with a £15.00 steam wand and towelling, totally eradicated wax and no sign of dye residue nor pile distortion. If I used this method on a client's carpet, I would, of course test in an inconspicuous area to check for pile distortion. Mike
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: gwrightson on January 14, 2010, 08:02:17 pm
shine ,
havnt you even been to see the job ?

at least it would give you some idea what you got to deal with .

Geoff
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Michael Smallwood on January 14, 2010, 10:18:13 pm
The methods above are good and should be tried first.

An extreme option if the carpet is as tough as old boots and the wax is stubborn, (and you have a disclaimer), is as follows. Bring a kettle next to the wax to have boiling water and at least a twin vac to extract. It gives you a 2 -4 second time window once the water has been applied.

Only try this if you are confident. You can get some old carpet and practise at home.

Mike
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Jim_77 on January 14, 2010, 11:05:14 pm
I find a stanley knife works really well, then a plant pot :)
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: dave123 on January 14, 2010, 11:18:19 pm
Jim ;D
   I always use a damp terry cloth and iron , but i might even try Jims method if i don't like the custy  ;D
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: shine services on January 14, 2010, 11:28:03 pm
Thanks for all the ideas. The job is fair drive away and only got the call 2day so thats y i ddnt go see it first. I have just poured a candle over an old peice of carpet and used the brown paper bag and iron method. This took all the wax out and ddnt leave any dye stains. I will post 2moro and give the results of my job. thanks again :)
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: jacko on January 15, 2010, 12:17:08 am
Damp Terry Towel - fold in half, place over wax. Apply hot iron 10 secs, leave towel in place until steam stops rising. Be careful.

Did one today funny enough.
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Joe H on January 15, 2010, 07:34:31 am
The candlewax got there when it was hot and runny, so that will be the way to get it out.

Scrape excess away like Jim says.
If you can get high heat at your hand tool you can melt it and suck it away.
putting a damp terry cloth and press with a hot iron until steam comes up as Jacko says is a good way to.

if you really want to be good to the clients who have a hard floor hallway, and you muck it up coming in and out of the house, you can buy a steam mop of tv shopping channels for about £30. This will not only mop up the hall in less then a minute (giving you a glowing reference from the client) but also act as the means for getting rid of wax. Just hold on the wax for 30 seconds and its away.
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Derek_Walker on January 15, 2010, 08:12:32 am
White spirit works extremely well on candle wax. Normal test procedures apply.
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: JandS on January 15, 2010, 10:06:41 am
Where's the steam mops Joe???    ;D

John
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Joe H on January 15, 2010, 01:58:20 pm
This one has been on Ideal World today and may well be repeated during the day, but you can order off the web.
Holds 500ml and they reckon that is good for 45 minutes of steam.
We have a similar thing for cleaning kitchen and shower room floor.

http://www.idealworld.tv/CategoryGridView.aspx?omitxmldecl=yes&fh_refview=home&fh_reffacet=categories&fh_refpath=facet_1&fh_location=//idealworld/en_GB/categories@lt;{idealworld_1001}&fh_eds=%C3%9F.aspx

I hope the link works for you, I have tried it from my post and it doesnt!
You can try http://www.idealworld.tv/homepage.aspx and type in the search box   steam mop.
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: shine services on January 15, 2010, 02:10:29 pm
Hi, every1,
                   just back from doing the job with the candle. used terry towl and iron method then cleaned carpet as usual. amazing results and customer wos very happy. thanks for the advice ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Glynn on January 15, 2010, 03:03:37 pm
A Drimaster uph tool and a HOT Truckmount.
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: JandS on January 15, 2010, 04:08:20 pm
Joe

Thanks for that, good job someone watches crap TV programmes.   ;D ;D

John
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: JandS on January 15, 2010, 04:14:32 pm
2 Customer reviews and one of them not very good.
Claims she's used it 3 times and the slip on microfibre
cloth has disintegrated already.
£9 to replace.

John
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Joe H on January 15, 2010, 04:20:26 pm
Its just like the forums John, you get reviews from people who have never tried the product but say negative things about it.
One not very good review, but one very good review.
Search on ebay for steam mop - you get plenty of choice.
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Carpet Dawg on January 15, 2010, 04:59:49 pm
Great idea with the steam mop Joe! i.e. mopping up the hall way, that will defo get you some browny points! :) plus, those steam mops are pretty light weight to carry about.

Like Derek said, white spirit works great on small candle wax spots once u have scrapped off the excess.
I done a night shift on monday night, it was for bar/gastro. Loads of upholstery. 30 modern wing back chairs, 16 beanches (with back rest thingy), 4 large two seater sofas and loads of cusions.
They  where all scattered with candle wax! lots of wee spits of candle wax. The largest spot was the size of a 20 pence. I used white spirit to great effect :)

Tony
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Jim_77 on January 15, 2010, 05:55:06 pm
Isnt it easier to just put a couple of sheets down on the floor so you don't make footprints?!? ::)

Not all surfaces m,ight be suited to a steam mop, you could eventually end up with a claim on your hands
Title: Re: The best way to get candle wax out of a carpet
Post by: Joe H on January 15, 2010, 07:20:17 pm
Joe
Thanks for that, good job someone watches crap TV programmes.   ;D ;D
John

The unit I mentioned is on Ideal World now until 8pm
Channel 644 on Sky, 22 on Freeview
They just spilt candle wax on a corded carpet and waiting for it to dry so will be on in the hour.