Would you like to know how to remove candle wax from walls? Let’s find out in this article.
People use candles to bring a romantic atmosphere to a room, especially during the festive season. Not only that, but also candles are great decorative elements that many homeowners use to give a room a special feel. Unfortunately, there is always a risk that candle wax will drip if we let it get out of control. And once it dries, it sticks to our walls and to the wood, which is extremely difficult to remove.
The problem is even greater when the candles are colored. The usual cleaning agents that we use for regular maintenance will probably not suffice here. And that’s particularly annoying, since candle wax can further damage the walls and especially the wood.
In this article we look at how candle wax is removed from walls and wood. These are foolproof ways to remove candle wax and they will work for sure. Stay tuned!
How to remove candle wax from walls
Removing the candle wax depends massively on the type of wall you have. You could have sheet rock, latte, or plaster wall. In any case, you need to take action as soon as you notice wax on the wall before it dries.
The color on the can also be fragile and is a factor to consider. You should try to be as gentle as possible so as not to mess around with the color. Here are some of the best ways to remove candle wax from walls.
Method 1: Use a hair dryer
First of all, here are the things you need for this method:
- Scraper or a plastic knife
- hairdryer
- Paper bag
- Duster
- vinegar
- water
With this method, you should let the wax dry first before removing it. Once dry, heat it up again with a hair dryer so that the wax can be removed much more easily.
Then you should use the hairdryer and a paper bag to heat the wax. With the paper bag, you need to cover the area you want to heat so that you can remove the wax much easier later.
Once you’ve completed the process, the wax should be gone. However, if wax stains are still present, repeat the process over and over until the wax has completely disappeared.
To complete the cleaning process, use a duster to avoid disturbing the color under the wax. Then mix a solution of vinegar and water (ratio 1: 3) and apply it to the cloth. Then gently wipe the cloth over the surface where the wax was. The solution ensures that the paint is not damaged.
The wax should be gone by now; If there is anything left, use a multi-surface cleaner immediately after applying vinegar and water to completely remove it.
Method 2: using an iron
With this method of removing candle wax from the wall, you need the following additions:
- A scraper like a plastic knife
- iron
- Paper towels
- Melamine sponge
Try using a scraper or plastic knife to remove as much wax as possible before using this method to remove wax. Be as gentle as possible so as not to damage the wall. If the wall is made of plaster, the wax should be removed with a plastic spoon or knife without damaging the wall. However, if you have Sheetrock, you should be careful to use a knife unless there is a lot of wax.
Then heat an iron to the lowest setting. Make sure you use an extension cord to make work easier and do not drop the iron in areas where it can cause damage.
Before actually using the iron, test it briefly on a surface to make sure it doesn’t damage the area. Plaster or sheet rock should be easy to handle with the iron, but the paint can be damaged.
Place paper towels over the area where there is wax. Then move the iron over the area until the wax begins to melt. Then use the paper towels to remove the wax from the wall. Keep the iron moving and do not use it in just one place as it can damage the surface.
Finally, moisten the melamine eraser sponge and completely remove all wax residues.
How to get candle wax from wood
Remove candle wax from a wooden table
You will need:
- hairdryer
- iron
- Soft clothes
- Vinegar and water
- Furniture polish
First of all, we have to state that under no circumstances should you let the wood flake off, as you can damage the wood very easily. Use a hair dryer instead.
To soften the wax, use the dryer on minimal heat and keep the dryer about 3 to 4 inches away from the table. Let the wax soften and then simply wipe it off with a cloth.
Then you can remove the wax from the wall: use a mixture of vinegar and water to completely remove the wax after softening.
Finally, polish the table to get the finishing touch.
Remove candle wax from wooden floors
When you remove the wax from wooden floors, you have two options.
Option 1:
This first option should be followed step by step to remove the wax as effectively as possible.
You need:
- Warm water
- Mineral spirit
- Mop or a cloth
- Dry clothes
Let the wax dry. It may be tempting to remove wax immediately if you spill it, but it is not the best idea as you may spread the wax even more.
Once the wax is dry, wipe the wooden floor with warm water. This not only removes residues and dirt that are nearby or on the wax, but also loosens the wax somewhat.
Pour mineral spirits directly over the affected area.
Scrub the floor with a mop or a clean cloth. You may need to apply some force to the wax to come off.
Wipe the floor clean with a dry cloth.
Option 2:
The second option is relatively simple and you only need a spoon, a hair dryer and a soft cloth.
- First, try to remove as much wax as possible with a spoon or your fingers. However, do not scratch the floor.
- Then set the hair dryer to medium speed and heat the wax.
- Once the wax is soft, remove the wax with a cloth.
Option 3:
The last method is the opposite of heat to get the wax off the ice. Here is what you need.
- ice
- Plastic razor blade or unused credit card
- Soft clothes.
- You can try the opposite: make the wax harder before scraping it off. If the wax is already dry, place an ice cube over the wax and let it rest for 30 seconds.
- Now the wax should be a little stiffer, but also easier to scrape off. Use a plastic razor blade or credit card that you no longer need and scrape it off. Be careful not to scratch the surface.
- Complete the process by wiping the floor with a cloth and then a mop.
Prevention is the key
If you prevent wax from spilling, you don’t even need to know how to remove candle wax from walls and wood. Here are some prevention tips:
- Keep candles at least 15 cm from the wall.
- Place the candles in a dip bowl so that the wax does not spread.
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