How to Get Candle Wax Off Wood? 4 Simple Methods

This is a guide covering how to get candle wax off wood.

Placing a candle in the room instantly adds to the style, ambiance and aesthetic of the room.

Which gets you thinking, why would anyone not want a candle in their room? They’re the definition of perfect!

However, if the candle spills over furniture, it immediately takes a toll on your mood.

And suddenly, it no longer adds to the style, ambiance or aesthetic of the room.

Which leads to the obvious question, how does one get candle wax off wood?

There are plenty of ways to get candle wax off wood!

After extensive research and advice from cleaning experts, we have curated a list of 4 simple, yet highly effective, methods to get candle wax off wood.

Whether you are frantically searching for ways to clean up the candle wax you have just spilled or are reading this just as precaution before placing a candle on your expensive wood furniture, this article is for you!

One thing everyone must remember before getting wax residue off wood is that while these methods are simple, you must read them carefully!

For each step is crucial. Missing even one or not doing it well could lead to your furniture getting damaged. And who wants that?

How to Get Candle Wax Off Wood?

Here’s the promised list of 4 highly effective and simple ways of getting wax residue off wood!

Method 1: Settle and Scrape

This is the simplest and most straightforward way to get wax out of wood grain. If you are in a rush or the spill is relatively minor, then this should be your go to method!

Before you start with the steps in this method, make sure the wax is not hot! For this method to work effectively, the wax must be cool, hard and brittle.

One risk associated with this method is that you might scratch the wood. However, in order to avoid that all you have to do is work in the direction of the wood grain.

If the furniture is polished or painted, you will not be able to see the direction of the wood grain. In that scenario, simply run your hands across the wood.

Whichever direction feels smoother will be the direction the wood grain is in!

Materials Needed:

• Plastic spatula or plastic spoon
• Piece of paper
• Clean lint free cloths
• Hand towels
• Furniture polish- brand depends on personal preference and availability.

Steps:

1. Use the spatula or spoon to scrape the wax off. Make sure you do this in the same direction as the wood grain! If your wood surface has cracks or hollows, use the pointed tip of the spatula to remove the wax.
2. Now the wax will have loosened up and broken into debris. Get a piece of paper and gently move the wax debris, using a spatula, onto the paper.
3. Repeat the first 2 steps to ensure that you get all the candle wax off the wood.
4. Once all the wax is removed from the wood surface, use a lint free cloth to wipe the area clean.
5. Finally, dampen a hand towel with some furniture polish. Use this towel to wipe the surface of the furniture until you see that shine on your furniture!

Method 2: Heat and Wipe

This method works best when you have a larger wax spill.

Why is that so?

This method does not require you to scrape the wax off the wood surface at all!

When there is an excess amount of wax spilled, it would require a lot of scraping. Which increases the likelihood of scratching the wood.

This method eliminates that risk altogether! How is that possible though?

By using a heat source, you can gradually warm the wax. Doing so will ensure that the wax is not soft or brittle.

Consequently, getting the candle wax off the wood won’t require any force. Instead, you will be able to wipe it off with a cloth!

Materials Needed:

• Clean lint free cloths
• Heavy duty paper towels
• Washcloths
• Heat source: iron or hair dryer (depending on availability or personal preference)
• Furniture polish

Steps (when using an iron):

1. Set the iron on the lowest heat and sure it does not emit any steam.
2. Cover the area of the furniture with wax spilled on it, using at least two to three layers of heavy duty paper towels.
3. Place a lint free cloth over these paper towels.
4. Place the iron onto the cloth for about three to five seconds.
5. Remove the cloths to see if the wax absorbed into the paper towels. If not, repeat step 4 but this time with a slight increase in temperature.
6. When repeating the process ensure to use a clean side of the paper towel.
7. Continue repeating the process until the wax is completely absorbed into the paper towels.
8. Dab some furniture polish onto a clean lint-free cloth and wipe the treated area once or twice, or until your furniture gets a glow!

Note: Throughout this process ensure that the iron does not get extremely hot! It only needs to be warm.

Steps (when using a hair dryer):

1. Keep the hair dryer at least three inches away from the affected area.
2. Set the hair dryer on a low setting. Then, turn it on and point it towards the candle wax.
3. When the wax softens, try and remove the wax residue off the wood table. Use a lint free cloth to wipe the area.
4. Repeat step 3- apply heat and wipe the area- until the wax is completely removed.
5. Apply furniture polish on the wood surface.

Method 3: Freeze and Scrape

This method is the quickest out of the four. So if you are in a rush, this should be your go-to method!

Materials Needed:

• Plastic spatula or plastic spoon
• Clean lint-free cloth
• Ice
• Plastic zipper-style bag
• Furniture polish of your choice

Steps:

1. Add ice cubes into a zipper style plastic bag.
2. Place the plastic bag over the spilled wax for around 1 minute to freeze the wax. It may take longer depending on the size of the spill.
3. Use a plastic spoon or spatula to gently scrape wax off the surface.
4. Once the wax is removed, use a lint free cloth to wipe the area. Dab some furniture polish onto a lint free cloth and wipe it over the furniture.

Method 4: Use Wax Removing Products

Materials Needed:

• Wax Removing Product
• Cloth

This method does not require any steps, since using the wax removing products is quite straightforward.

These products work best when there is a minor smell. If you have spilled a lot of wax, it is best you consider Method 2- heat and wipe.

Does the Type of Candle Wax Affect How Easy it is to Remove?

Yes!!

When comparing paraffin and soy wax candles, soy candles are easier to remove.

Why? Soy wax candles are relatively cooler burning candles.

Hence, when soy wax spills it is easier to clean and get the wax out of wood grain, as compared to paraffin wax.

Final Remarks

We hope this article was informative for you and now you are well aware of how to get wax residue off wood!