How do I remove candle wax or gum from my rental unit's carpet?

Sticky

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Dear Sticky:

The best way to remove candle wax from a carpet is to use your iron. Put an absorbent paper towel over the wax and heat the area with a hot iron. The paper towel will absorb the wax as it melts. Be careful not to burn the carpet as an iron can melt the carpet fibers. Any left over stain may be removed by blotting the area with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Also, blotting with a mild detergent mixed with warm water may work. Make sure the detergent does not contain any alkaline or bleaches.

Gum may be removed either by freezing the gum and removing it by pieces or using peanut butter to loosen the gum's grip on the carpet. A product known as "Goo Gone", found at Home Depot, may be used to remove gum, tar, grease and glue. Use Goo Gone sparingly, do not soak.
Source:WWW.JLE1.COM

First published in "the Operator", March 2006