How To Remove Wax Off Hardwood Floors

This Post may contain Affiliate Links. Please read our Disclosure for legal jargon.

It’s not rare to see wax dripping onto hardwood floors, sometimes from candles burning out and us forgetting to place something under them, other times because of a hot pot. When this happens, it is natural to panic!

But fret not because your hardwood floors are safe as long as you are ready to take action. There are four broad methods you can use to get rid of wax splatters on your flooring without damaging them in any way!

First Things First: Let The Wax Dry

The first thing that you need to do regardless of the method you choose is to let the wax dry. This is because wax becomes harder and therefore much easier to remove when dried. In this article, we have listed down the precautions and steps you need to take while following the recommended methods to help make it a smooth process for you!

Best Methods To Remove Wax Off Hardwood Floors

Each method has its separate advantages and disadvantages, and we have listed them one by one, so you can choose accordingly.

Method 1: Scrape The Wax Away

This method of scraping the wax off the hardwood floor is perfect if you have a minor spill that you can get under control within minutes.

Things Needed:

• A metal putty knife or credit card.
• A cloth, sponges, etc., to wipe away excess wax.

Steps To Follow:

Step 1: Using a putty knife or the edge of a credit card, start scraping the wax away in the direction of the wood grain. If the wax gets stuck in wooden cracks, use the pointed tip of the spatula or rounded edge of the credit card to free it up.

Step 2: As the wax fragments accumulate, sweep them into a clean piece of paper using the spatula or credit card, as if using a broom and dustpan.

Step 3: Once all the wax is off, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the floor and polish it using a floor shiner.

Pro Tip: To minimize scratching the wood during this method, you need to ensure that the wax is dried and you are scraping in the direction of the wood grain.

Method 2: Use Heat To Wipe Wax From Hardwood Floors

Using heat to wipe the wax off hardwood floors is a safe method and works wonders if you have a big chunk of wax to tackle.

Things Needed:

• An iron or a hairdryer.
• Heavy-duty paper towels

Steps To Follow:

Step 1: If using a hairdryer, hold it at least 12 inches from the wax and move it in a circular motion to warm up the wax.

Step 2: If using an iron, place a few layers of heavy-duty paper towels over the wax and run it over them at the lowest heat. Ensure that you don’t hold it too close to your floor, or else you might cause some damage!

Step 3: The hairdryer will melt the wax, and you can pluck it away. If using an iron, press it onto the paper towel to absorb the melted wax into them, and wipe it off the floor.

Step 4: Once the wax is removed, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the residue and finish by polishing with a floor shiner.

Pro Tip: Ensure that you remove as much of the paper towel stuck onto the wax as possible since leaving any behind will attract dirt and make cleaning harder and more time-consuming.

Method 3: Use Ice 

Using ice on your wooden floors is one of the simplest and safest ways to get wax off hardwood floors. However, it is best suited for smaller areas that are cleaner and without much dirt.

Things Needed:

• Ice cubes
• Plastic zipper-style bag
• Clean cloth and credit card

Steps To Follow:

Step 1: Place a few ice cubes in a clean zipper-style plastic bag and place it on the wax to freeze it completely.

Step 2: Use a plastic spoon/spatula/credit card to remove the cold wax gently. It usually breaks off in one piece, but tiny amounts of wax may be left behind.

Step 3: Repeat the process to get rid of those leftover wax pieces and clean the area with a lint-free clean cloth afterward. Buff the area using a floor polish of your choice.

Pro Tip: Place a lint-free cloth between the ice bag and the wax stain in the first step to prevent condensation from making the wax wet.

Method 4: Commercial Wax Cleaners

Using commercial wax cleaners created specifically to remove wax is the safest way to go about removing wax off hardwood floors. However, they take more time to work, and you need to be sure that none of these cleaners damage your floor.

Things Needed:

• Commercial wax cleaner
• Paper towels

Steps To Follow:

Step 1: Spray the cleaner onto the wax stain.

Step 2: Use a paper towel to dab the stain, attracting wax onto it. Continue using fresh towels until no more wax is left.

Step 3: Once all of it is off, wipe up any residue left behind with a dry cloth and use a shiner to buff the floor.

What You Should Avoid When Removing Wax Off Hardwood Floors

• Many people recommend using mineral spirits; however, we recommend you avoid them. It should not be used on sealed hardwood floors, as it may remove the actual floor wax from the surface, leaving it unprotected and easy to stain.
• You should avoid using steel wool and green scrubbers as they’re not gentle enough to clean your floor without marring the finish of your hardwood floors. Plastic scrub brushes are ideal. Metal or rubber bristle brushes with a plastic handle work well, too.
• Don’t be a swindler! Even if you believe you can just ‘pop’ the wax off of the hardwood surface with a kitchen knife or a razor blade, don’t do it – as it may leave behind scratches without removing the wax.

These were the four methods we swear by when it comes to removing wax off hardwood floors. We hope this article also helps you understand what to/not to use and why. It is always best to err on the side of caution and take steps that ensure your hardwood floors remain safe and scratch-free!