7 Tips for Removing Wax Stain from Car Interiors

Getting any stain out can be a hassle, but removing wax stains from your vehicle interior can often prove to be tricky. Depending on whether your car interior is fabric or leather, there are a number of things you can try to get the wax stain out. Using these simple tips will help get your car seats looking like new.

Remove Excess Wax

Get rid of the bulk of the wax before it becomes a bigger problem. Use a butter knife or popsicle stick to scrape the excess wax away from the surface. Scrape gently so you don’t scratch or tear your car upholstery. Try to remove excess wax in larger pieces that are easier to pick up. Use a vacuum or pick up scraped wax carefully so you don’t create a new stain.

Freezing Method (Leather)

Rub the wax stain with a plastic bag of ice cubes. Once the wax has hardened, scrape it away the same way you did for the excess. Repeat the freezing/scraping process until you can no longer scrape any more wax from the stained area.

Fuller’s Earth (Leather)

Mix a thick paste using fuller’s earth or a similar clay-based cleaning product with water. Rub the paste into the wax stain and let it sit to dry. Once the paste has dried, brush it away using an old toothbrush. Use a vacuum or brush and dustpan to remove the excess dust.

Ironing Method (Fabric)

Place a piece of blotting paper over the wax stain. Old newspaper works best but use photocopy paper for lighter colored fabrics. Cover the blotting paper with a tea-towel. Press the area with a warm iron and repeat the process with new sheets of blotting paper until no new wax appears on the paper after ironing.

Flushing Method (Fabric)

If a noticeable wax stain remains on your car’s upholstery after trying the above tips, you will need to flush it with boiling water. With a kettle of boiling water, saturate the stained area only so the boiling water can carry the wax deeper into the seat. Allow the water to dry completely before repeating the process or sitting on the stained area. Repeat the flushing process several times if necessary.

Upholstery Cleaner

For a small stain that only you will notice, use a car upholstery cleaner to work the stain out. Use small amounts of cleaner and scrub the stain gently. Using small amounts of cleaner will also ensure that you do not remove the fabric color. It will take a number of applications to completely remove the stain.

Vinyl Trim

Removing wax stains on vinyl trim needs a slightly different method. Freeze the wax stain and remove the excess wax by gently scraping with a metal spatula. When you are scraping your car’s trim, be careful not to gouge or scratch. Clean the remaining wax residue with either a mixture of detergent and water or with rubbing alcohol. Wipe the stained area clean and then polish with your favorite detailing cloth.