How To Get Hair Removal Wax Out Of Clothes
Hair removal wax is a nightmare for laundry, and it can feel impossible to get rid of.
Sure, it works great on our bodies, but it’s undoubtedly a sworn enemy of the washing machine. But what if we told you that hair removal wax on your clothes could be removed?
Yes, you heard correctly.
It can be a little tough at times, but it’s not impossible to get rid of.
So, if you want to remove hair removal wax out of clothes, all you need to do is follow our simple steps below, and you’ll have your clothes looking fantastic again.
The Detergent Method
This is a pretty quick and easy method using your standard laundry detergent to get rid of the stain. All you need is the following
- Liquid detergent
- Iron
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Step One: Remove the Excess
Take the piece of clothing and peel as much of the wax off as possible. This makes life easier for you and your washing machine.
You should find that the majority of it peels off easily and leaves an oily stain behind - this is the part that’s hard to remove.
To further loosen the remains, you can place a damp paper towel or blotting paper on either side of the fabric.
Following this, you can press down on the back of the fabric with an iron. This helps you to remove as much wax as possible before washing.
Step Two: Pre-Treat the Stain
Take a cap of detergent and pour it onto the stain. There is no need to rub it in, just let it soak into the area.
You can place it in the washing machine with the detergent on it as this allows it to continue breaking down the stain. The garment doesn’t need to be the only thing in the washer.
Step Three: In the Washing Machine
Place another dose of detergent in the washing machine and then wash on your usual cycle.
However, it is recommended that you use the hottest possible cycle (according to the care label for your garment) as this loosens the stain and helps get rid of it faster.
Step Four: Dry and Repeat if Needed
Once the cycle is done, unload the washer and hang your clothes out to dry.
If the stain remains, you can repeat the cycle a few times until it is gone.
The longer a stain has been there, the more work it is to remove it.
The Paper Bag Method
This can be an excellent trick for newer wax stains that haven’t had the time to really soak into your clothing. The best part? You only need the following to get the stain out:
- Paper bag (no ink)
- Iron or hairdryer
Step One: Lay Out the Paper Bag
Take the paper bag (making sure there is no ink on it as it can be transferred) and lay it over the stain. You can also use a towel if the bag isn’t suitable or you cannot find one.
If you want to use a bag, but it has ink on it, you can cut it open and put it on the clothing inside out.
Step Two: Apply Heat
Take an iron or a hairdryer, and use it to apply heat to the wax stain through the paper bag (or towel). If you are using an iron, make sure it is a model that does not use steam.
You want a dry heat so that the wax transfers to the paper bag instead of melting further into the fabric.
Step Three: Rotation, Rotation, Rotation
As you iron or blow-dry, make sure you rotate the paper bag regularly to ensure that the wax is transferred. Once you have done this and lift the paper bag, repeat the process until the stain is completely gone.
Other Quick Tips
These aren’t the only methods that are available to remove wax.
In fact, there are a couple of other quick tricks that you can use to remove hair removal wax out of clothes.
Ice. This can be used to help the wax harden and settle, which makes it easier to remove after.
All you need to do is place the bag of ice on the wax stain and leave it for around ten minutes. Once this is done, you can peel the wax off and then wash the clothing as usual.
Rubbing Alcohol. Apply this to the stain and then gently dab it in with a cloth.
Following this, rinse it by gently sponging it with water until the liquid is absorbed and the stain removed. You can repeat this as many times as needed.
FAQs
Does wax come off in the wash?
Yes, wax does come off in the wash. It can take a few washes to be effective, and you might need to use a pretreatment first so that it really works the stain out.
Just make sure you follow the instructions on the fabric care label.
Should you remove wet wax?
No, unlike other stains, you should not remove wet wax. This is because it is easier to remove once it has hardened and you can peel it off.
However, it would be best if you peeled it as soon as possible to avoid too much oil staining your clothes.
How do you get wax out of the washing machine?
To get wax out of a washing machine, all you need to do is place two cups of white vinegar into the drum and run it on an empty hot cycle.
Do not use any detergent, and when the cycle is finished, you should find that the machine is free from wax.
Final Thoughts
Getting hair removal wax out of clothes can take a few tries, but it certainly isn’t impossible.
With both natural and chemical routes that you can take, there are effective options for everyone to test out. The important thing is that you follow the label so that you don’t damage the material.
If you have any tips for how to get hair removal wax out of clothes, we would love to hear about them in the comment section.
