When you are passionate about making poured or moulded candles, every step counts, even the ones that come after the making. After many burns, candle wax may build up on your furniture or the surfaces your candles stand on. This small nuisance, familiar to every candle lover, is fortunately nothing you have to live with.
Although cleaning up affected surfaces may seem a harder task than saving leftover wax, rest assured: with tried-and-tested tips and the right products, you will soon remove even stubborn wax and rescue your home or your equipment.
Discover some quick ways to deal with this hassle! The key thing is to always test each solution first.
How do you clean your candle-making tools?
Once your candles are made, it is important to clean your tools thoroughly so that they keep working at their best and leave no wax residue in your next creations. Never let wax run down your drains, as it can block them.
Here are three effective ways to clean your tools:
Method 1: cleaning with hot water
Heat some water and immerse your tools in it. The heat of the water will melt the wax residue. Once the wax has liquefied, wipe your tools with a dry cloth to leave them perfectly clean.
Method 2: using a heat gun or hot air gun
Warm your tools with a heat gun or hot air gun to melt the wax residue. Once the wax has liquefied, wipe the tools with kitchen paper for a spotless finish.
Method 3: cleaning by freezing
Place your tools in the freezer for a few hours. The wax will harden and become brittle, so you can remove it easily by gently scraping it off with a spatula or another suitable tool.
How do you remove candle wax from parquet or other flooring?
Removing candle wax may seem tricky, but by following these methods, each suited to a specific type of surface, you will manage it with no trouble.
On parquet flooring
To remove wax from parquet, place an absorbent cloth over the candle wax stain, then gently run a hot iron over it. Once the wax has been absorbed, wipe with a clean cloth to finish.
On tiled floors
Use a spatula to gently scrape off the wax, taking care not to scratch the surface. Then warm the area with a hairdryer held a few centimetres from the stain for about 30 seconds to soften any remaining wax. Wipe with a clean cloth, then wash your tiles with hot soapy water to remove any residue.
Caution: avoid scrapers or abrasive tools, which could damage the tiles.
On marble or granite
Use a plastic or rubber spatula to lift the wax gently without scratching the surface. Melt any remaining residue with a hairdryer, then wipe with a microfibre cloth. Finally, clean the area with a gentle product suitable for marble or granite to remove any residue and restore the shine.
Caution: never use metal scrapers or abrasive tools, as they could damage the natural stone.
Remove candle wax stuck to fabric or clothing
If you have spilt candle wax on your rug and are not sure how to get it off, don't worry: it's very simple. Remove as much wax as you can by hand, then soak a paper towel in isopropyl alcohol and dab the stain, rubbing lightly.
You can also use kitchen paper and a hot iron: the melted wax will then be absorbed by the paper. For clothing, follow up with a stain remover.
How do you remove candle wax from furniture?
A hairdryer can be used to remove dried wax from wooden furniture. Hold the hairdryer at a sensible distance to prevent the surface from warping and the particles embedded in the fabric from melting.
You can also use a mixture of turpentine and linseed oil.
Clean glass items such as your glasses
In a shallow container, mix equal parts of isopropyl alcohol and water. Clean your glasses with this mixture, then wipe them with a soft, clean cloth. You can also place ice cubes on the wax, followed by hot water.
Conclusion
Candle wax can be removed quickly and easily without damaging your furniture. Having tried all the solutions suggested, we found that you do not necessarily need every method, and that it is worth knowing which one to use depending on the material.
With this article, you now have everything you need to keep your room spotless and stop stains from getting worse. Explore all our guides to candle waxes.
