How to Remove Wax from Wood
Scented candles are one of the best to freshen up a room. In addition, light it in the bathroom, you’ll feel relaxed and calm.Â
Whether you create your candles, do a business, or lit just one out of fun, the candle wax needs to be treated with great care.
This stuff is quick to melt and burn your hand pretty quickly, sticking to any surface that it comes in contact with. However, does that mean you should not be lighting candles in the rooms while being placed over a wooden baseboard or table?Â
Well, it should not be a problem unless you use a coaster anything simpler to keep the wax from reaching the surface.
Somehow, if it does, do not panic because removing candle wax from wood floors or boards is not that hard! So, what do you do if you have dropped candle wax on the floor? How to remove candle wax from the wood floor?
Thus, here are some tips and ways that we promise will prove beneficial for you.
How to Get Candle Wax Off Wood
Have you dropped candle wax on the wooden floor? Oops! But that shouldn’t be a problem.Â
One thing to remember here is that unlike other stains including paint, oil, etc, you need to let the candle wax dry out so it becomes much easier to remove.
You read it right! A dry wax is much easier to scrape off a wooden floor or any surface when it is dry! After you have let it dry, here is what you need to do:
1. Collect the Required Items
You can just jump into cleaning the wax with your bare hands, can you?Â
Certainly not! hence, rather than starting the cleaning and spree and then running around to find your things, it is better to collect all the required items as follows:
- Brush for cleaning
- Scraper
- Vinegar
- An ice cube or ice
- Plastic bag
- Olive oil
- Powder (talcum powder will work just fine)
- Rag or any old piece of cloth
- Hairdryer
- Furniture polish
Most of the things are readily available in the house and for those, which are not, get them from the nearest store to make sure you remove the wax completely.
2. Use Ice to Cool it Down
As we already said, wax when dried up is much easier to remove but of course, the process can take a lot of time on its own.Â
Unless you have a lot of time to spare, jump in with a plastic bag filled with some ice cubes and place it on the wax for 20 to 30 seconds.
When the hot wax will come in contact with the ice cubes, it will immediately harden and then, move to the next step.
3. Scrape the Dried-up Wax
Once you see that the wax has hardened, use a plastic scraper to scraper it. In addition, what to do if you do not have a scraper?Â
No problem! Use a credit card maybe! A knife or back of the spoon, anything hard that will help you to scrape it off.
4. Remove the Chunks
Now use a clean piece of cloth, an old rag, or some paper towels to collect the scraped junk and remove it from the spot.
5. Clean the oil Stain
Even if you successfully remove the wax itself, you will notice a light spot left behind. What is it? An oil stain! Candle wax is oil-based and hence when it drops on the wood floor, the oil stains it.
So, how to remove candle wax from wood and its stain? Once you have cleared the spot of all the wax, next mix some white vinegar in water.Â
Use a piece of cloth, dip it in the solution and blot the spot. Leave it there for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse it with water.
6. Use a Brush if You Need
If you feel that stain will not come out with the homemade solution, rub it off using a brush.Â
We will suggest using a soft-bristled brush so you do not damage the wooden floor. Next, clean the spot with wet wipes or rinse it thoroughly with water.
7. Preserve with Olive Oil or Polish
If your floor has lost its shine from the very spot, pour some olive oil on a piece of cloth and rub it on the spot gently.Â
Alternatively, if the scraping has removed the color completely, you can use furniture polish to match the color.
How to Get Wax off the Floor Even After Hard Scrapping of It?
Sometimes your efforts may not give you the desired results. If you have scraped it and cleaned it already but the wax is still visible, try using some heat on it.Â
Here is what more you can do to remove candle wax from the wood floor without damaging it:
1. Use and Iron or Hairdryer
If you have an iron or a hairdryer, any of the two, plug it in, switch it on and let it heat up for a few minutes.
2. Cover the Candle Wax Stain
Now, cover the wax stain on the wood floor with an old piece of cotton cloth. Do not use a silk piece or any other than cotton or else it will stick to the iron and ruin it.
3. Use Heat Over It
Now place the hot iron on the cloth covering the stain and gently press it for 10 minutes.Â
Remove the iron and cloth and if you do not see it stained, place it back on the stain and repeat the process until the wax oil stain has been completely removed.
Moreover, if you are using a hairdryer, set it at maximum heat and use it in the same manner as the iron to get rid of the stubborn wax oil stains.
4. Buff the Spot
Use heat or the stain itself can discolor the wooden floor from that very spot. Hence, what can you do?
Either rub some olive oil on it; apply furniture polish to even out the color, or a store-bought buffer to smooth out the spot.
Can Candle Wax Damage Your Wood Floor?
Not necessarily! Candle wax itself is not harmful but yes, it does contain some amount of oil, which can stain your vintage wood floors easily if you do not clean them on time.Â
So, if you spill some candle wax on the wood floor, how to remove candle wax without damaging it?
Make sure you do not use a sharp tool to scrape off the dried candle wax from the floor. Moreover, use a homemade cleaning solution to remove the oil stain if any.Â
We suggest not to use any harsh store-bought cleaners or else they might damage your wood floor.
In addition, once you are done cleaning the wax and stain, remember to buff the spot. Use either olive oil to bring back its shine or polish it with some furniture polish to even out the discoloration.
Apart from a few tips and tricks to be kept in mind, you should not be struggling with removing candle wax from the wood floor.Â
Nevertheless, if you do not have much time on your hands or are not able to remove the wax and its stain completely, you can always hire a professional cleaning service to get the work done.
They will help you get rid of it without damaging your wood floor but yes, will surely charge you a good amount for their effort. So, if you still have a stubborn wax stain to remove, call the professional cleaner for help.
Relax and Enjoy!
You may also take a look at our ultimate step-by-step vacuum cleaners buying guide.
