However, wax can easily drip onto our furniture and walls. Scented and coloured candles can be the cause of unsightly stains. It’s always best to remove it as soon as possible but if you can’t do it straight away, consult this handy guide on how to remove candle wax from any surface.
Make sure that you never use anything metal like a knife as it will definitely damage your wooden surfaces. A plastic egg lifter, a plastic ruler, or an old credit card can be used as an excellent candle wax remover. Just allow the wax to cool and harden and then gently place the egg lifter, ruler or credit card under one edge of the wax. It should lift off quite easily. If it leaves a stain, you can try any of the following tips and tricks.
How to get candle wax off wood surfaces
When the wax spills over on your favourite wooden table or chair, it can be the worst. You’ll often watch it for hours, while your guests are still enjoying themselves, wishing they’d leave so you can remove it. Here’s how:
What you will need:
An ice cube
A plastic ruler
Cream furniture wax
Here’s how to do it:
First, harden the candle wax with your ice cube.
Once the wax is hard, carefully scrape it with the edge of the ruler. The wax should easily lift.
Then gently rub away the oily residue with a good quality furniture wax
Another great alternative would be to mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid like Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid or Surf Dishwashing Liquid with warm water. Use a dampened microfiber cloth with soapy water to gently clean the area where the wax sat to remove any residue. Read our article for more Dishwashing liquid hacks.
How to get candle wax off walls
It’s not only candles that can cause damage. When the kids are little, they often do some things around the house unintentionally that can cause damage. We have all had one or more of our kids draw on walls with wax crayons, right? You don’t want to discourage the artist in them, but you also really don’t enjoy wax stains all over your floors and walls. Here’s how to fix it:
What you will need:
A plastic scraper or credit card
A hairdryer
Cleaning solution made up of 3 parts vinegar and 1 part water
How to do it:
Simply heat up the wax with a hairdryer by holding it a short distance from the wall.
Using the edge of the scraper or credit card, lift away the softened wax, making sure not to damage the wall.
Dip a very clean cloth in your vinegar solution and wring it out to get rid of excess liquid.
Wipe the wall down from top to bottom removing the softened wax.
Top Tips for Having Candles in The Home
The glow of a lit candle creates a beautiful ambience in the home but just make sure to keep these tips in mind.
Candles should always be kept about 15cm away from walls, to prevent any splashes or spills.
It’s also best to place candles on an old saucer or drip tray thereby preventing any avoidable mess.
Only move candles when they are cool, stopping the hot liquid wax from spilling as you go.
Remember to extinguish your candles when you leave the room, never leaving it burning overnight or unattended.
Has your favourite candle spilt its wax onto your clothing? Read our blog on How To Get Wax Out Of Clothing and Delicate Fabrics for tips on removing wax from fabrics.
For more home care tips and tricks, visit Cleanipedia today.