Candle wax
Short answer: Let the wax harden, snap off the thick part and melt the rest out through kitchen paper with an iron on low heat. The colour from the candle is treated afterwards with rubbing alcohol, and finally you wash the garment as usual following the care label.
The solid part first
Let the wax cool completely, ideally with an ice pack on top, then snap off the thick layer with your fingers or the back of a spoon. That leaves only a thin layer in the fibres. Go gently and do not pull the fabric, so you do not damage the soft bamboo fabric as you work.
Why candle wax is stubborn
Candle wax melts at a low temperature and soaks between the fibres while it is liquid. As it cools it hardens and sits as a thin film. Water and detergent work poorly on wax, so it has to be melted and soaked up before you wash the garment.
Melt the rest out
Put kitchen paper over and under the stain and iron on low heat. The wax melts and is soaked up by the paper. Change the paper each time, or the wax moves back into the fabric. Check the label to see whether the garment tolerates ironing, and do not use steam. See also bamboo tennis socks for men if you need new socks.
Change the paper often
The most important thing while ironing is to move the paper, so there is always a clean piece on top and underneath. If the paper has soaked up wax, it can give it back, and then you have made the stain bigger. Carry on until no more wax comes out and the stain no longer feels greasy.
The iron temperature
Use as little heat as possible, because bamboo viscose does not tolerate high heat. Read the symbol on the label before you start, and try a hidden spot. Wax melts at a low temperature, so you need nothing more than a little heat. Keep the iron moving and do not let it rest on the fabric.
The colour afterwards
Dab with rubbing alcohol and wash the garment as usual. Coloured candles often leave a pigment that has to be treated separately once the wax is gone. The alcohol dissolves the colour so it can be drawn up into kitchen paper. Repeat until no more colour comes out, and rinse the stain before you wash.
Wash as usual
When the wax and the colour are gone, the garment can be washed as usual. Look at the fabric before you dry it, because heat can set a trace. If a greasy shadow is left, treat it with washing up liquid and wash again. See also bamboo clothing for women, which is easy to wash and look after.
Wax on bedding
Bedding and tablecloths often get wax from candles that have tipped over or drip. The method is the same: snap off the solid part, melt the rest out with an iron on low heat, and treat the colour afterwards. Read more about bamboo bedding, and remember to follow the care label so the fabric is looked after properly.
Preventing wax stains
Wax often ends up on textiles when candles stand close to tablecloths, curtains and bedding. Keep candles away from fabric and use holders with a dish underneath. If you put the candle out before it burns down, you avoid drips. With a little care you save yourself the work of removing wax from clothes.
Frequently asked questions
Can you iron bamboo viscose
On low heat, yes. Check the symbol on the label first, avoid steam, and use kitchen paper between the iron and the fabric, so the heat does not hit the fabric directly and you can soak up the wax.
Why change the paper
Because otherwise the wax moves back into the fabric. The paper can only soak up a certain amount of wax, so a clean piece makes sure there is always room for more.
What about coloured candles
The colour has to be treated with alcohol once the wax is gone. Dab with rubbing alcohol, let it dissolve the pigment, and rinse afterwards before the garment is washed as usual following the care label.
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