Candles are a great accessory that everyone in the home can use. You can use candles almost anywhere, both functional and decorative, with their natural soy wax blend-filled jars.
But when your beach candle accidentally spills over a little wax or splatters your coffee table or wood floors, what do you do, and how do you get it off?
Accidents happen with everything, so don’t worry. But it seems like an easy thing to do to remove wax; the trick is to avoid damaging the wood.
Whether it’s a coffee table, a nightstand, or hardwood flooring, here is the guide to removing candle wax from wood.
Methods To Remove Wax From Furniture
Use these three wax removal methods to clean a spill or splatter quickly.
1. The Scraper Method
Scraping is one of the most effective ways to get candle wax off wood. Whether you hasten the process using a bag of ice or allow the wax to settle and harden on its own is entirely up to you.
However, what you really want to avoid is spreading the wax around even further.
Here are the basic steps to removing the wax: When the wax is cold, take a plastic spatula, plastic spoon, or even an expired credit card (in case it gets damaged) and scrape the wax off in the direction of the wood grain.
Next, use the edges of your blunt object to get into deeper crevices to dislodge the wax and dust it into a piece of paper as you chip it away. Once it has been removed, buff the area with a lint-free cloth.
Remember that this method is best used on splatters and lighter waxes and is not considered a big mess.
2 Hair Dryer Or Iron
The scraping method is perfect for smaller wax drops and spills but can not be used for bigger accidents. An effective way to get candle wax off from wood is to use a hair dryer.
The wax that is buried deeper and embedded into the wood on furniture this method is a well-tried method.
Use a hair dryer set on with a low setting and use it at least three inches away from the affected area.
Warm the wax until it becomes soft and pliable. Once it becomes soft, use your fingers to peel it and use a paper towel or cloth to wipe the area.
It saves the furniture from scratches. Repeat these steps until your wax gets entirely removed.
If you have an iron in place of a dryer, you will follow the same steps but with a few exceptions.
- Firstly, ensure the iron is not on the steam setting process and Press the iron directly on top of the area for 3 seconds with a thick washcloth (iron side) and stack heavy-duty paper towels (wax side) for absorbing the wax because it starts melts.
- Make the temperature to get the paper towels to soak up the wax. Repeat as necessary. Even better than iron, this is the best-used method for cleaning out wax from floor grains.
3 The Wax Removing Products
Another way to get candle wax off wood is through the available removal products on the market. While it’s not as accessible as compared to your home appliances like hair dryers & paper towels, these are the products that everyone usually has.
Additional Tips To Remember
With these methods in mind, here are some extra tips to remember for successfully removing wax:
- Clean the area as early as possible, and keep this process from going to allow hours/days. The longer the wax remains on the furniture, the more it will damage the wood.
- In each method, touch the area and wipe it well with furniture polish or wax.
- Avoid mineral spirits to remove the wax because it is considered a stripping agent that can damage the furniture.
- If, after using this hair dryer, it doesn’t work to your satisfaction, gently sand the wood.
- Did the wax spill on a heirloom furniture or an antique piece? Then, please take it to a professional, pronto!
- Why is my candle flame so high? It could be because it burns too hot, creates a large wax pool, or leaves behind smoke. Maintaining your candles and their wicks can prevent wax from spilling in the first place.
In conclusion, removing wax from furniture can be straightforward with the right tools and techniques. Whether you opt for a heat-based or solvent approach, it’s important to proceed carefully to avoid damaging the furniture’s finish. Using the above-mentioned methods, you can easily remove wax buildup and restore your furniture to its original beauty.