How to remove Candle Wax Stains from Wood

Wood furniture whether an antiquity passed on to you, or whether some contemporary pieces are generally expensive and thus are really cherished by you. You prize your hardwood furniture both because of its practicality and its contribution to your décor. However when this is marred by pools of candle wax or wax drips, then you definitely aren’t going to be pleased.

Candles can be a delightful addition to any dinner or party. They enhance the ambiance of your room, bestowing you and your room with an exotic aura. The romance associated with candles is almost tangible; but this romantic notion becomes something you hate, if eventually you end up with dripped candle wax all over your wooden furniture.

The picture becomes all the more bleak, if your favorite table not only gets covered with candle wax, but in case the candle contained a dye in it, the table would get stained as well. This is where we step in to take off this wax-removal-stain burden off your shoulders.

Our simple home remedies will effectively remove this candle wax and any accompanying stains from the shirt. Follow these methods and bid farewell to wax.

Method One

For the removal of colored and color less wax stains

Trying to remove the molten candle wax off your hardwood furniture is really a bad idea; as it will smear and smudge your furniture instead of getting off. Therefore we advise you to go for this cold strategy, so that the wax can be safely and carefully removed.          

  

Things that you will require:

· Ice pack

· Paper towels or paper bags

· A hair dryer/iron/ steam cleaner

· Clean cloth

· Dull knife

· Stain remover

· Wood surface cleaner/oil soap

· Vinegar

· water

Steps that you need to take:

1.   Primarily, apply an ice pack onto the wax so that it freezes and becomes easy to remove.

2.   Once it has frozen into place, scrape away the excess wax using the blunt edge of a knife.

3.   Afterwards, place a layer of paper towels or paper bags onto the stain.

4.   Take an iron/ hairdryer or steam cleaner and adjust it on a low heat setting.

5.   Use any of the mentioned heat inducing ways to melt the remaining wax so that it comes off the wooden surface and is absorbed by the paper bag or towel.

6.   Keep on replacing the towels or bags with new ones as required, otherwise waxy residue can easily be transferred back to the surface, if you use merely one towel or bag.

7.   Keep on repeating this process until you feel sure that all wax has come off the wooden surface.

8.   To restore your furniture to its original pre-wax condition, rub its surface with a wooden surface cleaner or oil soap. You can make your own cleaner as well by combining equal parts of water and white vinegar.

9.   Wiping the wooden surface with this solution will help you get rid of any waxy residue.

Warning:

Make sure that your oil pack doesn’t leak and doesn’t condensate onto the wax, otherwise it can hinder the effective removal of wax from your wooden furniture.

Method Two

For the Removal of color less or white wax stains

Have you ever heard of nipping evil in its own bud, or something of the like spirit? If you have, then be prepared to deploy this analogy in our forth coming wax removal technique. The important point to remember at this juncture is that this method should only stay confined to the removal of white or colorless wax off wooden surfaces, as colored wax can discolor the hardwood.

Things that you will require:

· Ice pack

· Blunt edge of a knife/ spatula/ expired credit card

· Soft dry cloth

Steps that you need to take:

1.   First of all you need to allow this wax to harden, as trying to clean it in its molten state will spread it further.

2.   Now, either you can allow it to harden naturally by air drying; or if you happen to be in a hurry then you can make use of an ice pack to speed up this hardening process.

3.   Once this wax has hardened, snap it off the wooden surface by applying some pressure; or you can make use of a spatula, dull knife or an expired credit card to scrape off this wax.

4.   To get rid of the waxy remains, and to bestow a luster upon your hardwood furniture pieces, we will be making use of this waxy residue itself.

5.   Take a soft, dry cloth and start rubbing the wax stained area with it.

6.   Make use of this very wax to shine and protect the wood by buffing the entire area with a soft cloth.

7.   Keep rubbing in circular motions, until you are sure that all the wax has disappeared.

         

 Tips

· When it comes to scraping off waxy residue off your wooden surface, you need to be especially careful. This is because digging at it can damage your wooden surface.

· If you are dealing with a colored wax stain, then make sure you wipe the surface with a vinegar and water solution, so that the wood doesn’t get discolored.

· If the wood you are dealing with has minor grooves in it, then try wiping the wax away with the help of a clean cloth, dabbed with rubbing alcohol.

· The best way to avoid such circumstances is to avoid placing the candle directly on your wooden surface, as it can also cause a fire hazard, in addition to wax drips.