How To Get Candle Wax Off Hardwood Floors In 5 Easy Steps

Candles can add a warm, cozy feeling to any room. Unfortunately, they can also create a mess if wax drips onto your beautiful hardwood floors. Imagine you light some candles to set the mood, and the next thing is a glob of wax staining your nice hardwood floors.

What a bummer! But don’t stress; I’ve totally got some tricks up in this article to get that pesky wax out. Candles make a room feel so cozy, so you don’t have to give them up! With just a few household items and some good old-fashioned elbow grease, you can erase that wax stain and get your floors looking good as new again.

This stuff happens, so don’t fret! Just follow along with my handy guide, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to get that wax off your floors without harming the wood. Keep reading

How Can You Clean Candle Wax Off Hardwood Floors?

Assess the Situation

When you first notice the wax spill, assess the situation. Is the wax still warm and pliable or has it already hardened? This will determine your next steps.

If the wax is still warm:

Act quickly while the wax is still soft and pliable. This will make it easier to remove.

Carefully scrape away any excess pooled wax with a plastic spatula or old credit card.
Hold paper towels over the wax spot to absorb as much as possible.
Replace towels as needed until most of the wax is removed.

Scraping off excess while warm prevents the wax from spreading out and penetrating deeper into the wood grain.

If the wax has hardened:

If allowed to fully harden, wax can be more stubborn to remove from wood floors. But don’t worry – with a little extra elbow grease, even dried wax can be eliminated.

First, gently pry off any large chunks of wax using a plastic scraper or an old hotel key card. This helps get off the bulk of the spill.
Then, assess how deep the remaining wax has penetrated into the wood. This will determine the next steps.

Gather Your Cleaning Supplies

To tackle candle wax on wood floors, you’ll need:

Paper towels
A hairdryer or heat gun
An iron
Scraping tools – a plastic putty knife, credit card, or wood chisel

Rags
Goo Gone or cooking oil

The most important tool is patience! Removing set-in wax takes time. And it will come up with the right techniques and tools, but take your time.

Step 1: Remove Excess Wax

Before doing anything else, take a paper towel and try to absorb and blot up any excess wax that hasn’t soaked in yet.
If the spill is fresh, you may be able to get a good portion of it up with just paper towels.
Hold them over the spot and let them soak up the wax.

Switch to clean areas of the towel frequently to absorb as much as you can.
Apply pressure as you blot to help draw the wax-up.

Step 2: Apply Heat

The next step is to melt the remaining wax so it can be absorbed and scraped off more easily. There are a couple of options for applying targeted heat:

Hairdryer/Heat Gun

Use a hairdryer or heat gun to slowly warm the wax.
Set it to the lowest heat setting and pass it gradually over the affected area, heating a small section at a time.
The wax will slowly start to melt from the warmth.

As it melts, keep blotting with paper towels to absorb the liquified wax.

Take your time with this step. Rushing through it or overheating one spot can damage your floors!

Iron

An iron on a low setting can also be an effective heat source for melting candle wax.

Place a paper towel or thin rag over the wax stain. In slow, circular motions, pass a warm – not hot! – iron over the towel to transfer heat onto the wax below.
The wax will soak into the rag as it melts. Keep replacing the rag with new sections as it gets saturated.
The iron’s direct contact and pressure will help liquefy the wax.

Step 3: Gently Scrape Away

Once sufficiently heated, it’s time to start gently scraping away at the softened wax residue. A few tools that work well include:

Plastic putty knife – Great for guiding melted wax into a rag or towel
Old credit card – Can be used to scrape in small spaces

Wood chisel – Carefully shave melted wax from grooves or detailed areas

Work in small sections, heating and then scraping to remove buildup. Apply light pressure as you scrape to avoid damaging the wood below. Switch scraping tools frequently so wax doesn’t build up on the blade.

Step 4: Use Solvents for Final Cleanup

For any remaining wax residue or staining, solvents help break up the bonds so the wax can be removed. Useful options include:

Goo Gone – Apply a small amount to a clean cloth, let it soak into the wax for a few minutes, then wipe clean.
Cooking oil – A light application of vegetable, olive, or coconut oil helps dissolve wax. Wipe away with paper towels.

Test solvents in an inconspicuous area first, as excessive use could damage your floors’ finish. Be patient and let the solvents do their work – don’t scrub aggressively. The wax will continue to break down with gentle wiping.

Alternative cleaning solutions

For those concerned about using harsh chemicals on their hardwood floors, some more natural remedies may also effectively remove wax:

Vinegar – Mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar. Dampen a cloth and wipe stain. Vinegar’s acetic acid helps dissolve wax.
Essential oils – Oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, and citrus contain dissolving properties. Mix a few drops into a quarter cup of water and wipe onto wax.

Cornstarch – Make a paste with cornstarch and water. Let it sit on wax for an hour before wiping away. The cornstarch absorbs and lifts the wax.
Baking soda – Sprinkle baking soda over the wax and let sit overnight. Sweep away residue in the morning.

When using natural cleaning methods, be prepared for more gentle action that may require more scrubbing or repeated applications. But this prevents using harsher chemicals.

Step 5: Reseal and Protect

Once you’ve removed all traces of candle wax, it’s a good idea to reseal the area to protect your floors going forward.
Use a specially formulated wood floor wax or sealant and apply a thin, even layer over the affected boards.
This helps waterproof and strengthen your floor’s protective coating.

You can also lay down area rugs or runners where candles are used frequently.
This protects your floors from future wax drips! Place candles on surfaces higher than the floor whenever possible.

How Can You Prevent Candle Wax Stains?

While removing dried wax takes effort, there are some easy ways to help prevent wax stains in the first place:

Use candleholders – Candles placed directly on wood surfaces are very likely to drip. Always put candles in holders to catch potential wax drips.
Trim wicks – Long wicks can cause candles to tunnel and drip more. Keep wicks trimmed to 1⁄4 inch to reduce excess dripping.

Avoid drafts – Drafts from fans, vents or open windows can cause candles to pool and drip wax rapidly. Shield candles from drafts.
Go with wax-free – Opt for flameless, battery-operated candles. These provide the ambiance without the risk of wax drips.
Use rugs – Area rugs under and around candles can protect your floors from any wax that may drip.

Watch the burn time – Don’t burn a candle for longer than the manufacturer’s recommended time. Longer burns increase dripping.
Do a water test – Run candles under water to check for excess dripping before lighting. Discard overly drippy candles.

Bottom Line!

There you have it – cleaning candle wax off hardwood floors! With some determination and the right techniques, you can definitely get those wax stains off your beautiful floors. I hope those tips help you erase any evidence of that messy candle spill so you can get back to enjoying your space.

Just be extra mindful in the future when burning candles by taking a few precautions – keep them on non-flammable surfaces, trim those wicks, and don’t let them burn down all the way.

Candles make things so cozy, so you don’t have to give them up! Just be vigilant and act fast if any spills happen again. You’ve got this! Your floors will be back to their original glory in no time.