How to remove candle wax from 5 common surfaces

Here’s how to get wax off any surface for good, without scratching up your furniture or staining your walls in the process. 

Wood – When removing wax from wood, first harden the wax with an ice cube, then carefully scrape it off with an expired credit card or a plastic ruler. Rub away residue with cream furniture wax.Glass – To remove wax from glass, scrape away the excess, then apply heat with a blow dryer set to MEDIUM, wiping off the wax with a rag as it softens. Wash the area with hot, soapy water to remove residue.

Painted wall- Apply medium heat with a blow dryer and wipe away excess wax as it softens. Remove residue with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.

Linens and fabric furniture – Remove as much wax as possible with a thin butter knife. Sandwich the linen between two plain paper bags-if you’re working on a piece of furniture, simply top the area with a bag-and iron with medium heat until the wax transfers to the bag. Repeat with more bags as needed. Blot leftover color stains with denatured alcohol.

Leather furniture – Move a blow dryer quickly over the surface to warm the wax but not burn the leather. Remove the wax with a clean cloth, then use either a polish designed for leather furniture or a damp cloth with mild soap to remove residue and keep the leather from drying out.