How to get earwax out of upholstery ?

February 23, 2019 1:06 PM

How to get earwax out of upholstery ?

I can’t believe I need to ask this but how can I get earwax out of fabric? My partner and I have a upholstered headboard and I’m 90% sure he’s been picking out earwax and wiping it on the headboard (only on his side, has a consistency of dried earwax, etc). This is covering a large enough area that it needs to be addressed and can’t be left as is.

Anyway, how can I get it out of the dark grey fabric? I can’t put it in the wash obviously. I tried scrapping at it, but it made it lighter in color and probably smeared it a bit. I haven’t tried any stain removers or anything yet for fear of making it worse. I think the texture is worse than the actual stain if that makes sense. This isn’t the fanciest bed on the planet but it will probably make it through another move and I’d rather not just live with it.

(Yes I will talk to him about it so this isn’t a reoccurring thing. No, i don’t really know what was going through his head.)

posted by raccoon409 to Home & Garden (11 answers total)

Maybe try the classic method for removing candlewax from fabric: put a layer or two of brown kraft paper over the stain (like a paper bag from the supermarket) and iron it with a hot iron. This melts the waxy stain and the paper draws it out of the fabric. If there is still a discoloration left after that you could try a spray that is meant for removing pet stains; they’re pretty good at removing colored biological stains in general.
posted by bcwinters at 1:57 PM on February 23, 2019 [3 favorites]

I think you mean HE needs to get it out, right?

I agree with bcwinters above, if you guys don't have an iron handy, he could use a hair dryer instead.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 2:22 PM on February 23, 2019 [15 favorites]

I imagine you could use a steam cleaner--the kind you use on sofas. You used to be able to rent them from places like UHaul for a reasonable price. (I'm not sure if you can since I bought a small one several years ago)
posted by pangolin party at 2:34 PM on February 23, 2019 [3 favorites]

Best answer: I'd start with surface removal of as much as possible by scraping.
Then kinda gently "sand" off more with a rough dry washcloth or towel that's very close in colour to the upholstery (to avoid dye transfer or prominent fluff issues).

Then you could try heat... but I'd be worried it would gum it into the fabric.
I'd actually try a light mist of rubbing alcohol and more scrubbing.

Also I'm mad at him on your behalf, wtf?!
posted by pseudostrabismus at 2:46 PM on February 23, 2019 [3 favorites]

Best answer: So , earwax isn’t wax per se, so I’d do some more research before applying wax cleaning suggestions to it.

I’d try oxiclean first, since hydrogen peroxide is used to break down earwax, but oxiclean will be less likely to discolor the fabric. Try an inconspicuous location first to make sure it’s color safe for the fabric.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:38 PM on February 23, 2019 [7 favorites]

Best answer: I agree with ocherdraco... oxiclean (oxyclean) is a great choice. I have removed many stains over the years. Even black coffee from white carpet. Spray it on or dab it on give it a few minutes and try to blot it off and then rub it off with a dampened warm water washcloth. I have never had a disappointment using it.
posted by JayRwv at 3:50 PM on February 23, 2019

Best answer: Do you have a stiff bristled brush? Brushing might work better than scraping to remove as much of it in the “dry” form as possible before wetting it. Keep going even if it’s getting lighter in color, that is telling me it is breaking down the particles. Then I’d vacuum the area as high suction as you can get to remove as much wax dust as possible before attempting to break down the residue with whatever cleaning agent you choose.
posted by Swisstine at 4:44 PM on February 23, 2019 [1 favorite]

I don't think it's really wax or even really oily. I would use a white cloth, a bit of laundry detergent, and clean gently, blotting with a fresh, dry white cloth. You can buy small handheld cleaners.
posted by theora55 at 5:30 PM on February 23, 2019

Try hydrogen peroxide. On preview try hydrogen peroxide but test for fabric staining first like ocherdraco said.
posted by vrakatar at 5:59 PM on February 23, 2019

Can you give more information about the type/texture of the fabric? I would be very careful about ironing it since synthetics could melt under a hot iron. And soaps can leave a different kind of a stain behind.

Are there chunks? My first line of attack would be to brush off any chunks with a stiff bristled brush. Next, I would try a microfiber cloth with only water as a solvent. The fabric is likely some type of polyester blend which usually releases stains very easily. Using a fairly wet (but not sopping) microfiber cloth, I would briskly scrub the stained area until they are saturated. Let it dry and reassess the situation.

We have three kids and a brown couch that refuses to die. Anything the kids have spilled/spewed on it has been machine washable (even though the label says not to) or has come out with a brisk scrubbing from a microfiber cloth and water.

Also, ewwww.
posted by defreckled at 6:51 PM on February 23, 2019 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I tried scrapping off as much more as I could (no stiff bristle brushes around). I had some laundry powder oxyclean that I made into a highly concentrated solution with very hot water and attacked the area with a washcloth and then went back with just a wet washcloth. It seems to have worked but I’ll have a better idea in the morning when it’s totally dry and in better light.

(And thank you all. When I was staring at it earlier I just stood there thinking to myself, “who tf can I eve ask about this?!?” Googled failed me and unsurprisingly AskMeta was my savior. This site works the biggest and smallest miracles)
posted by raccoon409 at 7:12 PM on February 23, 2019 [8 favorites]