How to remove candle wax from walls and wood

Want to know how to remove candle wax from walls? Let’s find out in this article.

People use candles to bring a romantic atmosphere to a room, especially during the festive period. Not only that, but candles are also great decorative elements that many homeowners utilize to create a special feeling to a room. Unfortunately, there is always a risk of candle wax dripping if we let them out of control. And once it dries, it sticks to our walls and wood, which is extremely hard to remove.

The problem is even bigger if the candles are colored. The usual cleaning products that we use for regular maintenance will likely not be enough here. And that is especially annoying, as candle wax can cause further damage to the walls and especially wood.

In this article, we will take a look at how to remove candle wax from walls and wood. These are foolproof methods of removing candle wax, and they are sure to work. Stay tuned!

How to remove candle wax from walls

Removing the candle wax will massively depend on the type of wall you have. You could have sheetrock, lath, or plaster wall. In any case, it will require you to take action as soon as you notice wax on the wall before it dries.

The paint on the can also be vulnerable and is a factor to consider. You should try to be as gentle as possible to not mess with the paint. Here are some of the best methods of how to remove candle wax from walls.

Method #1: Using a Hairdryer

First of all, here are the things you will need for this method:

• Scraper or a plastic knife
• Hairdryer
• Paper bag
• Dusting cloth
• Vinegar
• Water

With this method, you will want to let the wax dry first before you start removing it. Once it is dry, you will use a hairdryer to heat it up again so the wax will be much easier to remove.

Then, you will want to use the hairdryer and a paper bag to heat up the wax. With the paper bag, you will need to cover the area you will be heating so that you will be able to remove the wax later on much easier.

Once you complete the process, the wax should be gone. However, if there are any wax spots left, repeat the process again and again until the wax is completely gone.

To complete the cleaning process, get a dusting cloth so as not to disturb the paint underneath the wax. Then, mix a solution of vinegar and water (ratio of 1:3), and apply it to the cloth. Then with the cloth, start wiping gently across the surface where the wax was. The solution will make sure that the paint won’t get damaged.

By now, the wax should be gone; if there is still some left, use a multi-surface cleaner straight after applying vinegar and water to get rid of it completely.

Method #2: Using an Iron

In this method of how to remove candle wax from the wall, you’ll require the following supplements:

• A scraper such as a plastic knife
• Iron
• Paper towels
• Melamine erase sponge

Before you start removing wax with this method, try to remove as much wax as you can using a scraper or a plastic knife. Be as gentle as possible to not damage the wall. If the wall is plaster, then the wax should come off with a plastic spoon or knife without making damage to the wall. However, if you have sheetrock, you should be wary of using a knife unless there is a lot of wax.

Then, heat an iron to the lowest setting. Make sure that you use an extension cord to make work easier, and make sure that you don’t drop the iron to areas where it can cause harm.

Before you actually start using the iron, test it on a surface for a brief period to make sure it won’t damage the area. Plaster or sheetrock should handle the iron easily, though, but the paint can still be damaged.

Place paper towels over the area where wax is. Then, go over the area with the iron until the wax starts to melt. Once it does, use the paper towels to remove the wax from the wall. Keep the iron moving and don’t use it in one place only as it can damage the surface.

Lastly, dampen the melamine eraser sponge and use it to remove any leftover wax stains completely.

How to Get Candle Wax Off Wood

Removing Candle Wax from a Wooden Table

You will need:

• Blow dryer
• Iron
• Soft cloth
• Vinegar and water
• Furniture polish

First of all, we must establish that under no circumstance, you should chip away at the wood as you can very easily damage the wood. Instead, consider using a blow dryer.

To soften the wax, use the dryer at minimum heat, and keep the dryer about 3 or 4 inches away from the table. Let the wax soften, and then simply wipe it away using a cloth.

Then, you can use the same method as with removing the wax from the wall: use a mixture of vinegar and water to completely remove the wax after you have softened it.

Lastly, polish the table to get that final touch.

Removing Candle Wax from Wooden Floors

When removing the wax from wooden floors, you have two options.

Option #1:

This first option should be followed step-by-step to remove the wax as effectively as possible.

You’ll need:

• Warm water
• Mineral spirits
• Mop or a cloth
• Dry cloth

Let the wax dry. It might be tempting to start removing wax right away as you spill it, but it is not the best idea, as you might spread the wax even more.

Once the wax is dry, start mopping the wooden floor with warm water. Not only will this remove the residue and dirt sitting near or on top of the wax, but it will also loosen the wax a bit.

Pour mineral spirits right over the affected area.

Start scrubbing the floor with a mop or a clean cloth. You might need to apply some force to it for the wax to start coming off.

Wipe the floor clean using a dry cloth.

Option #2:

The second option is relatively simple, and you’ll only need a spoon, a hairdryer, and a soft cloth.

• First, try to remove as much wax as possible with a spoon or with your fingers. Don’t scratch the floor, though.
• Then, set the hairdryer at the medium speed, and start heating the wax.
• Once the wax softens up, use a cloth to remove the wax off.

Option #3:

The last method is using the opposite of heat to get the wax off the ice. Here’s what you’ll need.

• Ice
• Plastic razor blade or unused credit card
• Soft cloth.

1. You can try the opposite: making the wax harder before you start scraping it off. If the wax is already dry, place an ice cube over the wax and let it sit for 30 seconds.
2. Now the wax should be a bit stiffer but also easier to scrape off. Use a plastic razor blade or a credit card that you don’t need anymore, and start scraping it off. Be careful to not scratch the surface.
3. Lastly, complete the process by wiping the floor with a cloth, and then with a mop.

Prevention is Key

If you prevent wax from spilling in the first place, you won’t even need to know how to remove candle wax from walls and wood. Here are some prevention tips:

• Keep candles away from the wall, at least 15cm.
• Place candles in a dip tray for the wax to not spread.

If you enjoyed reading this article about how to remove candle wax from walls and wood, you should read these as well:

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• How to arrange furniture in an awkward living room
• How to cut fiberglass insulation with no hassle involved

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