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How to dissolve candle wax (paraffin)?
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Aderogbin Francis
How to dissolve candle wax (paraffin)?
Ethanol and acetone are not non-polar organic solvents. Each one has a slight dipole moment; due to the difference of electronegativity between $\ce{H}$ and $\ce{O}$ in ethanol and between $\ce{C}$ and $\ce{O}$ in acetone. Wax is composed of heavy, long-chain alkanes. And as "Like dissolves like" try to dissolve your wax in toluene or in xylene.
Ethanol and acetone are not non-polar organic solvents. Each one has a slight dipole moment; due to the difference of electronegativity between $\ce{H}$ and $\ce{O}$ in ethanol and between $\ce{C}$ and $\ce{O}$ in acetone. Wax is composed of heavy, long-chain alkanes. And as "Like dissolves like" try to dissolve your wax in toluene or in xylene.
You can also put the clothes in the freezer and a substantial portion of he wax will crack off.More
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Ordinary candle wax is readily removed by Methylated Spirits, especially if is on a candle stick. Scrape the bulk off carefully and then use a soft cloth with meths.
Ordinary candle wax is readily removed by Methylated Spirits, especially if is on a candle stick. Scrape the bulk off carefully and then use a soft cloth with meths.
Being a chemist, I know that paraffin would require a lipophilic solvent as pointed out by others. It occurred to me that ordinary vegetable oil is a cheap and of course innocuous lipophilic substance. I spilled about 2 oz molten candle wax on a marble surface and after it solidified removed a good portion by scraping with a plastic spoon. This was followed by adding about a tablespoon of vegetable oil and mixing with the spoon. The wax dissolved in the oil with no problem and could be mopped up with a paper towel. Treatment of the oily residue with sink soap removed what was left. Hope this helps.
Being a chemist, I know that paraffin would require a lipophilic solvent as pointed out by others. It occurred to me that ordinary vegetable oil is a cheap and of course innocuous lipophilic substance. I spilled about 2 oz molten candle wax on a marble surface and after it solidified removed a good portion by scraping with a plastic spoon. This was followed by adding about a tablespoon of vegetable oil and mixing with the spoon. The wax dissolved in the oil with no problem and could be mopped up with a paper towel. Treatment of the oily residue with sink soap removed what was left. Hope this helps.
It’s a great tip! Now it doesn’t dissolve readily and requires some elbow grease but a health dose of canola oil, a cloth and some rubbing and it came off in a few minutes. Perfect for hardwood floors as I don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals on the finish.More
Great answer!! Canola oil and rubbing with my thumbnail took the candle wax out of my tablecloth. Then I hit it with spray’n wash and put it in the washing machine to take the oil out.More
Ethanol and acetone are not non-polar organic solvents. Each one has a slight dipole moment; due to the difference of electronegativity between $\ce{H}$ and $\ce{O}$ in ethanol and between $\ce{C}$ and $\ce{O}$ in acetone. Wax is composed of heavy, long-chain alkanes. And as "Like dissolves like" try to dissolve your wax in toluene or in xylene.
Ethanol and acetone are not non-polar organic solvents. Each one has a slight dipole moment; due to the difference of electronegativity between $\ce{H}$ and $\ce{O}$ in ethanol and between $\ce{C}$ and $\ce{O}$ in acetone. Wax is composed of heavy, long-chain alkanes. And as "Like dissolves like" try to dissolve your wax in toluene or in xylene.
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Ordinary candle wax is readily removed by Methylated Spirits, especially if is on a candle stick. Scrape the bulk off carefully and then use a soft cloth with meths.
Ordinary candle wax is readily removed by Methylated Spirits, especially if is on a candle stick. Scrape the bulk off carefully and then use a soft cloth with meths.
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A readily available mixture of various non-polar alkanes would be petrol (gasoline).
A readily available mixture of various non-polar alkanes would be petrol (gasoline).
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Dry clean your clothes. The solvents used in dry cleaning work well.
I had the airline industry pump my suitcase and suits full of jet fuel. Even with professional cleaning they still stunk. All had to be replaced.
Dry clean your clothes. The solvents used in dry cleaning work well.
I had the airline industry pump my suitcase and suits full of jet fuel. Even with professional cleaning they still stunk. All had to be replaced.
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Being a chemist, I know that paraffin would require a lipophilic solvent as pointed out by others. It occurred to me that ordinary vegetable oil is a cheap and of course innocuous lipophilic substance. I spilled about 2 oz molten candle wax on a marble surface and after it solidified removed a good portion by scraping with a plastic spoon. This was followed by adding about a tablespoon of vegetable oil and mixing with the spoon. The wax dissolved in the oil with no problem and could be mopped up with a paper towel. Treatment of the oily residue with sink soap removed what was left. Hope this helps.
Being a chemist, I know that paraffin would require a lipophilic solvent as pointed out by others. It occurred to me that ordinary vegetable oil is a cheap and of course innocuous lipophilic substance. I spilled about 2 oz molten candle wax on a marble surface and after it solidified removed a good portion by scraping with a plastic spoon. This was followed by adding about a tablespoon of vegetable oil and mixing with the spoon. The wax dissolved in the oil with no problem and could be mopped up with a paper towel. Treatment of the oily residue with sink soap removed what was left. Hope this helps.
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