Woman lighting candle on counter in kitchen

How to get wax off a wall in a few easy steps.

Last Updated: July 23, 2021

Ever set up a candlelight bath only to turn on the lights after and see wax all over your bathroom walls? Here are a few tips to clean it off naturally and effectively.

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Candlelight adds atmosphere to a room, setting the mood for celebration, romance, or self-care.


But cleaning up messy wax isn’t quite so festive, so we’re offering our best advice for how to remove candle wax naturally — and prevent wax stains, too. Now you can have live your best candle life without the stress.

Tips and tricks for removing candle wax from a wall

Image of someone lighting a candle in dark grey glass with match stick

Even a clean-burning soy candle can easily drip and spill onto carpets and other surfaces, sticking to floors and furniture long after the party’s over.


And if you’re not careful, blowing out candles may leave behind a splash of wax on a wall, causing unsightly stains and discoloration.


Fortunately, getting wax off different types of walls isn’t as time-consuming as you might think. While there’s no magical candle wax remover that lifts off wax in a single swipe, we can recommend a few tools of the trade that will make your cleaning life a lot easier.


Here’s how to remove wax from wood as well as painted and textured walls.

What you need to clean up wax

Before getting started on how to remove wax from the wall, set aside a microfiber cleaning cloth and check your pantry for the following items.


If you need to stock up on any supplies necessary for the job, check out Grove’s selection of natural cleaning essentials.

Getting wax off painted walls

Gather the following items:


How to get candle wax off your walls

Image of white wood wall panels above wood counter with candles, plates, and plant

How to remove wax from wood walls

When removing melted wax from wood surfaces like walls, floors, and windowsills, you’ll want to make sure to harden the wax.


If the wax softens, you can harden it with an ice cube or ice pack. Then use the edge of a credit card, plastic ruler, or butter knife to gently scrape it off.


Dampen a cleaning cloth with a bit of cream furniture wax, biodegradable all-purpose cleaner, or wood floor cleaner to gently wipe away any excess.

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Try this wax removal method as a wax or stain remover for carpets and clothing too.


For more tips on getting wax off of clothes specifically, check out this guide.

Image of blue painted wall with shelves and products on shelves and counter below

How to remove wax from painted walls

It may seem counterintuitive, but using heat is the surest way to get wax to come off a painted wall without lifting off the paint, too.


Rather than chill the wax, set your blow dryer on a medium setting to melt it. Wipe off the hot wax with a dry cloth.


For any residue left behind, mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts boiling water and gently rub it away.

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This technique also works to remove wax from glass. Give it a try!

Image of blue textured wall with white shelves and cleaning products on counter below

How to remove wax from textured walls

Textured walls can be trickier than smooth surfaces for removing wax since they’re stippled with ridges, swirls, or other patterns.


Rather than heat up the wax directly to melt it, first place a paper bag over the wax stain and aim your hair dryer at the bag, which should lift off the wax spill.


If needed, dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water, using a cleaning cloth to wipe the wall with the homemade solution.

Mrs. Meyers cleaning products and Grove Co. cleaning caddy

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Removing candle wax with an iron

If you don’t have a hair dryer handy, don’t worry. You can use an iron to heat up and remove dried wax, too.


The following process should not only work to remove wax stains from walls but from carpeting, clothing, tablecloths, and upholstery as well.


Supplies you’ll need


Here’s what to do

Step 1: Use a scraper to carefully remove any excess wax.


Step 2: Place a paper towel or damp cloth over the remaining wax.


Step 3: Apply a medium-hot iron for several seconds.


Step 4: Use rubbing alcohol to remove residue wax.


4 ways to prevent wax stains from candles

While it’s common for candles to drip, splash, and spill, the best way to keep wax stains off your walls and other surfaces is to keep them from happening in the first place.


Here are four quick-and-easy tips for prevention:


1. Place candles on a drip tray or use a glass candle jar or tin holder.


2. Keep candles a safe distance away from your walls and other surfaces.


3. Carefully cup a flame before blowing it out to prevent splattering.


4. Make sure a candle is in a solid, rather than a melted, state before moving it.

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