Removing Candle Wax?

Question

I accidentally got candle wax on my wooden coffee table. It's got a gloss on it, so I was able to scrape off the clumps of wax really easily. But now I have this film thats left over and it looks nasty and cloudy. How can I get this off? Everytime I try and wipe it off it just smears. Help!

Answer 1

I've done the same thing, half a dozen times or more! ) : I know how frustrating, not to mention distressing, this Domestic disaster can be....but, I do love my candles! ( :

The very first time it happened, it was on my VERY expensive wooden dining table! I was not impressed....not happy at all! ) :

In a panic, like you, I had attempted to scrape off the bigger chunks of wax, using a cake scraper. I was frantic, thinking I was never going to shift the left over filmy residue, as you've described in your question.....

BUT - this brilliant cleaning method I discovered on the net, saved the day, Thank Goodness! ( : So, don't despair! The technique below, is an effective solution and will fix the problem. I personally guarantee it!

Here's what you do:

You'll need:
* Ice
* soft scraper
* silk cloth
* paper towel
* hair dryer &
* rubber gloves

How to apply:
1. - Harden the wax with ice, then remove as much as possible with a soft scraper(which by the sounds of it, you've already done!) You are supposed to scrape along the grain of the wood. Probably too late to tell you this bit, but not to worry!
3. - Wipe the rest of the wax off with a damp silk cloth (doesn't have to be real)
4. - Then, you press a paper towel over the waxy residue, heating it with a hair-dryer, making sure you keep the paper towel over the wax, as you dry.
---The wax will be absorbed by the paper towel.
---Keep changing the paper towel until any wax, or left over film/residue, is removed.

Now you've completed the process, and your wooden coffee table should be wax-free and looking beautiful and completely once more!

A couple of Tips I've learnt from my own experience:
* Wear Rubber Gloves, so you don't burn your fingers!
* Use a stop-start method, so you don't over-heat the wood, and you should try allowing it to cool between each paper towel.

I sincerely hope I have helped you out with this fail-proof, 100% effective method. I always use it now, to deal with my own wax woes.... You'll be amazed at the results. I was! ( :

Happy Cleaning!!! (-:

---Gracie ( :

Answer 2

Heat the wax with a hair dryer. Wipe off the melted wax. Buff it out with a soft, dry cloth.

Answer 3

Ignore the guy who said to pour water on it. That will only ruin your table with water spots.
I recommend taking a hand full of paper towels, one by one fold them up into forths. place one folded paper towel on the wax spot, then take a hand towel and place it on top of the paper towel, then take a warm iron and "iron" the hand towel slowly (careful not to burn the towel though). after each pass check the paper towel, eventually the heat will remelt the wax and the paper towel will absorb it. when it does, refold the paper towel or grab another one that you folded into fourths, keep repeating the ironing process until all the wax is removed. This way it will not ruin the gloss on your table. This works well on any surface where wax is spilled... especially carpeting.

Answer 4

I've used a product called "Goo-Gone" you can find it at Home Depot and Wal-Mart...It removes candle wax and a number of other hard to remove substances. Once you use the Goo-Gone on the candle wax then clean it with Windex.

This should solve your problem, it has worked for me before...Good Luck

Answer 5

boil some water. then, slowly pour the water over the wax. it'll melt and go with the flow of the water (so either do it outside or put a towel underneath.

Answer 6

Grace is right--I was going to tell you blow dryer, but she beat me to it!