How to Remove Candle Wax from Surfaces in Your Home

After enjoying the relaxing ambience and rich fragrances of your candle, you may find that you have to deal with an unwanted trace of that experience: candle wax.

It can be a frustrating sight (just like candle tunnelling) but know that spills can happen to even the most careful of people.

Nonetheless, watching molten candle wax drip into your beautiful new table, your favourite rug, your immaculate flooring, or the leg of your linen trousers can be heartbreaking.

The good thing is, there are solutions.

It may take a little patience and know how to remove candle wax from furniture, but candle wax can be removed with the right set of tools.

Here are what you should do when you find your candles’ wax are in the following surfaces:

How To Remove Candle Wax from Wood

While glowing wax candles are a lovely way to set the tone for a romantic dinner, dripping wax can leave unsightly scars on wooden surfaces.

Although the melted wax isn't hot enough to damage furniture, the colour can leave hideous stains. As such, it's best to get rid of the wax as quickly as possible.

• Turn on your hairdryer and hold it over the candle wax stain until it begins to melt. Make sure to keep the hairdryer a few inches away from the surface.
• Wipe the wax away carefully with a soft towel. Don't try to chip away at the wax or you'll end up damaging the wooden surface underneath.
• Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water in a mixing bowl.
• Wipe away any residual wax with the cloth dipped in the vinegar mixture.
• To restore the wood to its former splendour, use high-quality furniture polish.

Removing Candle Wax from Rugs

If your candles’ wax is accidentally spilt on your carpet or antique Persian rug, there’s no need to rip it up or throw it away. All you have to do is grab an iron and a paper bag.

• Pick out the larger lumps of wax once it has hardened, being careful not to pull out the carpet or rug strands.
• Place a plain paper bag (make sure there’s no print on it) over the stain and iron it gently on low heat. The remainder of the candle wax should be absorbed by the paper.
• Remove any stain residues with a high-quality carpet cleaner.

Removing Candle Wax Drips from Painted Walls

You may think it’s quite uncommon, but blowing out candles too hard can easily splatter the wax across your perfectly painted walls.

Thankfully, removing melted candle wax does not require repainting the entire space.

• Place some paper towels over the candle wax.
• Gently press down over the towels with a low-heat iron to melt the wax, allowing the paper to absorb it.
• To eliminate any leftover candles wax residue, wash the area with hot soapy water.

Removing Candle Wax from Fabric

On the occasion that someone has blown out the birthday candles a little too hard, you may find your tablecloth splattered with wax all over. Don’t worry, simply follow these steps to completely remove the wax.

• Place the wax-coated fabric in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, or until the wax has solidified.
• Pick out the larger pieces of wax with care.
• Place a piece of plain paper over the stain and iron gently on low heat until the wax is completely absorbed by the paper.
• If the cloth is washable, use a quality stain remover and wash according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• You may also use a light makeup remover to carefully wipe away the candle wax.

How To Remove Candle Wax from Hair

Yes, it happens.

And while long hair and candles aren't typically the best of friends, there’s still no need to panic.

If the candle wax is at the tips of the hair, allow the wax to melt off in a dish of boiling water. Then, wash your hair as usual. If the wax is located near the roots of your hair, release the wax by massaging your hair with olive oil.

Afterwards, wash your hair with warm water (as warm as you can stand), being very careful not to burn yourself. Read our other article for more safety tips.

Removing Candle Wax Inside a Candleholder

Running hot tap water over the holder and scooping out whatever's inside with your fingers or a paper towel is one of the simplest and fastest ways to remove candles wax residue.

You can then place it in the dishwasher and leave the rest to the machine.

If it's not dishwasher-safe, you can try freezing your candleholder for approximately 30 minutes. The wax particles will become brittle and will be easy to remove with a dull knife or even your fingertip.

You can also try reheating the remaining wax with a hairdryer on low heat. You'll then be able to pull the wax off as it softens and becomes malleable.

Now You Know

Now that you know how to get candle wax out of almost anything, you can then enjoy your scented candle experience with no worries about spills.

For more best practices for scented candles, and more information on candle waxes, including beeswax candles, make sure to read our other articles too!

And when you're ready, go ahead and shop for Scented Candles in Singapore today!