You love to light up your home with candles and fragrances. However, this comes at a cost. Even after all your best efforts, the wax spills on your beautiful hardwood flooring. Disastrous! But don’t panic yet. There is hope and help is just a Google search away! These are some of the tips that may come in handy if you find yourself in this sticky situation. So read on to know how to remove candle wax from hardwood floors the easiest way.
How To Remove Candle Wax From Hardwood Floors?
Use Shaving Cream
Shaving cream is great at breaking down the wax and removing it from your floor. Simply apply the shaving cream to the wax, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then mop it up with a wet mop. Make sure the shaving cream is completely broken down and dissolved and that there are no chunks of it left on the floor. If there are, you will be forced to repeat the process. Shaving cream is gentle and excellent at removing wax while leaving your hardwood floor unharmed. It also smells really good and leaves your home smelling fresh while removing the wax.
Use A Stain Remover
A stain remover like Pre-spray or a product similar to it can be used to effectively and efficiently remove wax from your hardwood floor. The Pre-spray is an enzyme-based cleaner that breaks down the stain and lifts all the wax and other debris from your floor. Make sure to use a stain remover that is safe for hardwood floors. Some stain removers will stain your floor and others can be extremely harsh. Pre-spray is relatively cheap and easy to find in most major stores, like Wal-Mart. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle and apply it directly to the wax stain. Let it sit for a few minutes and then mop it up with a wet mop.
Use Boiling Water
This method is not for everyone, and it is definitely something you should do with caution. Boiling water is actually a really effective way to remove candle wax from hardwood floors. Simply boil a large pot of water and carefully and slowly pour the water on the wax stain. The water will dissolve the wax and make it easy to wipe up with a rag or paper towel. It is important to use a pot that is large enough so that the water doesn’t splash and damage your floor. It is also important that you are careful when pouring the water so that it doesn’t splash and damage any other areas of your home.
Use A Harsh Detergent
Using a harsh detergent to remove the wax can be a bit of a sticky situation. Using too much detergent can damage your hardwood floor. Be sure to use a very small amount and apply it to a rag or paper towel. Carefully wipe the wax off your floor and try not to scrub too hard. Scrubbing can cause damage to the floor. The trick to using a harsh detergent is to use a very small amount and be very careful when wiping the wax away. You can also make a diluted version of the detergent and use that. Adding water to the harsh detergent will make it less harsh and less likely to damage your floor.
Use A Combination Of Detergents And Cleaners
Using a combination of cleaners and detergents is a great way to remove the wax without damaging your hardwood floor. For this method, you will most likely need a bucket, water, a couple of different cleaners, and a rag or paper towel. Fill the bucket with water and add a small amount of one or two cleaners. First, use the cleaner to remove most of the wax, and then use water to wipe up the rest. This is a great way to remove the wax from your floor without damaging it.
Why Is It So Difficult To Remove Candle Wax From Hardwood Floors?
It’s All About The Type Of Wood
The first thing you need to know is that different types of woods are more susceptible to damage than others. Let’s start with pine floors. This type of wood is pretty soft and relatively easy to damage compared to other hardwoods. If you happen to have pine wood floors, using paint thinner or rubbing alcohol will definitely do more harm than good. Using these chemicals might even result in permanent damage. Next, let’s talk about oak floors. Oak is a hardwood species that are extremely durable, but when it comes to candle wax removal, it’s not as easy as it is with softwood species. Oak is much more difficult to clean because of the oily finish. This type of wood is also more prone to staining from candle wax. Using solvents such as paint thinner or rubbing alcohol will only make the situation worse. So before you even think of using solvents, it’s important to determine the type of wood you have on your floors.
Hardwood Is A Solid Flooring Material
Hardwood is a natural material that’s made of interwoven fibers that form a very solid, durable structure. This is the main reason why it’s such a good choice for flooring. While wooden tables might be a bit more flexible, it’s not the same with the flooring. In order to make your floors as durable as possible, manufacturers glue the wooden boards together to form a more solid structure. While this makes the flooring more sturdy, it also makes it harder to get rid of the candle wax. If you try to scrape off the wax, you’ll need to use more force than with softer woods. This might result in scratches in the surface of your floor. If you happen to have a more delicate wood flooring, you might leave a mark that is visible to the naked eye.
Candle Wax Is Sticky And Stains
In addition to being sticky, candle wax is also very sticky. Therefore, when it drips onto your floor, it doesn’t just fall to the floor and evaporate. It sticks to the surface, creating a thicker layer. When you remove the excess wax, you risk removing the finish of your floor. This will cause permanent damage to the wood, and you might not be able to repair it. The wax might also stain the surface of your flooring. Depending on the type of wood, the stain might be permanent or might disappear over time. When it comes to removing the excess wax, you’ll have to remove the stains too. The most efficient way to do it is by applying mineral spirits to the stains. This will help you remove the wax without harming the floor.
You Have To Remove The Surface Wax Before Cleaning The Rest
When you’re cleaning a hardwood floor, you want to remove both the excess wax and the dirt that has been trapped in the grooves. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to get rid of the loose dirt particles. If the wax is dry and has hardened, you can scrape it off with a stiff brush before vacuuming. If the wax is still fresh and sticky, you should try to remove as much of it as you can before moving on to the cleaning process. You can use mineral spirits or paint thinner to remove the excess wax. Make sure you use the correct amount of solvent and don’t overdo it. If you use too much solvent, it will damage the finish of your floor, and you will have to sand and re-stain it.
Tips For Removing Melted Candle Wax From Your Hardwood Floor
- First of all, if the wood surface is unfinished and uncoated, you must clean it up as quickly as possible.
- If the wax is fresh and soft, you can scrape it off quickly. However, if it has hardened, you must use a putty knife and a razor blade to scrape it off.
- Make sure you are on the right side up when cleaning the hardened wax off the floor.
- Always use cold or tepid water to clean the hardwood floor. Hot water will cause the wax to sink deeper into the wood.
- You must also use detergent to clean the floor. If the wax is fresh, you can use a Mr. Clean Eraser or the corner of a paper towel to clean it up.
- However, if it has hardened, you must use mineral spirits or turpentine to dissolve the wax.
Conclusion
Candle wax is one of the most annoying things to clean up, especially when it gets on your hardwood floors. What makes it even more annoying is the fact that it’s really difficult to remove melted candle wax from hardwood floors. If you are in a situation where you have to clean up melted candle wax from your hardwood flooring, then keep the tips mentioned above in mind. They should help make the process of cleaning up a lot easier. With these tips, you should be able to remove candle wax from hardwood floors easily and quickly.
