How to get candle wax off furniture?
One of my candles "malfunctioned" and dripped all over my cedar chest. Im not sure how to get the wax off the wood without damaging the fini...
One of my candles "malfunctioned" and dripped all over my cedar chest. Im not sure how to get the wax off the wood without damaging the finish. It’s a very old cedar chest and has never been re-finished. HELP!
Thanks so much to everybody!! These are all great answers. Im thinking a combination of these techniques will work just great !!!!!!
First use some ice to get the wax as cold as possible.
Work in small areas. Do not rush.
Using a razor edge (like comes in a box cutter or paint scraper), lay the razor flat against surface and gently get under and lift off the frozen wax.
SAFETY NOTE: If you use a box cutter blade, you should make sure to wear leather gloves and work away from any part of your body. You may also try to embed the blade in to a potato.
One other thing: If the grain of the wood was open or unfinished, there may be a lingering stain from the wax that has deeply embedded inside the wood.
I am not currently aware of any solvents that will get rid of that stain without damaging the wood.
Be safe and good luck.
UPDATE: Maybe after you’ve scraped off as much wax as you can, use the brown paper and hot iron trick above.
melt it with another candle-watch not to drip more- and wipe it when it’s hot. should work
iron a paper bag over the wax (just the wax), it will come right off.
I think your first two answers are probably better than mine. I was going to say put an ice cube over a spot of wax and maybe it will lift off quickly. Wipe dry immediately.
"Goo-gone", but I would try it on the inside place. I’ve removed was from the old piano and didn’t damage the finish.
Carefully remove the wax by a thin knife then wipe wash the surface.
Soak a hand-towel in very hot water and wipe the wax off.
I would recommened ice cubes. Put a bunch in a baggie and set it on the wax. The wax should get cold enough after a few minutes to "chip" or "flake" off the cedar chest.