| Oct 8, 2006 @ 8:50 AM |
removing candle wax
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razzired
Posts: 2,922
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I had a bunch of candles sitting around the bathroom and tub last night and got distracted (no comments from the peanut gallery) and ended up leaving them burning all night.
One of the big pillar candles that was sitting on the commode tank melted down one side, and now I have pretty lilac colored wax all down the wall and puddled on the floor.
Any ideas on the best way to remove candle wax from drywall, painted walls and linoleum? I've done some poking around the internet and one site suggested pouring hot water on the wax. Wouldn't that just make a bigger mess?
Is there an easier way?
MJ - wondering why candles don't burn right down the center, like they're supposed to. 
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 8:51 AM |
removing candle wax |
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spongebob777
Posts: 7,904
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I suppose you could try a hair dryer to soften it.
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 8:57 AM |
removing candle wax
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definitelydi
Posts: 12,602
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 That sucks! Did ya have to pee really bad and found you were unable to open the lid? 
I would suggest freezing the wax, actually but I don't know how you could freeze the whole room! It works well for removing melted wax from glass candle holders, anyway!
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 8:59 AM |
removing candle wax |
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twotall911
Posts: 13,068
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plastic spatula for the tub and linoleum if the walls are painted same thing if not then do it then patch, heat will only make it worse
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 9:05 AM |
removing candle wax
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whitecrow
Posts: 29
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Freeze it! Eg. with some ice in a plastic bag. Cold temperatures will make the wax brittle and crumbly, which is the best way to remove it from where it doesn't belong (including textiles). Some oily residue may remain, but it will be reduced to the unavoidable minimum by this method.
Do *not* apply heat if there is any way to avoid it. Warming or even melting the wax will only make it more sticky, so that it will spread wider and penetrate deeper into porous materials.
don't burn right down the center
Most candles would, in a perfectly windstill environment. But any moving air will cool the stick from one side, so it melts faster on the opposite side.
PS:
Seeing only the title of this thread, many other things came to my mind, but not furniture... 
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 9:06 AM |
removing candle wax |
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razzired
Posts: 2,922
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Luckily, the wax melted down the back of the tank, not the front. But...thanks, Di. Now I know it could have been worse!
I tried the knife thing (dull knife) already, but it's digging the paint off the wall, too. Am I just going to have to repaint? No way around it?
Damn. I was really hoping someone knew of a magic candle-wax remover solution.
MJ - filing this in the "it seemed like a good idea at the time" drawer
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 9:13 AM |
removing candle wax
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definitelydi
Posts: 12,602
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Listen to whitecrow! DUH! Ice in a bag!
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 9:15 AM |
removing candle wax |
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mailorderannie
Posts: 6,021
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Whitecrow is right...FREEZE IT. Also try something on the wall that doesn't have serated edges.
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 9:22 AM |
removing candle wax
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Danger
Posts: 1,248
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if you have a glass or porcelin tub the candle oil/wax may have soaked in to that...
otherwise there is a site learnhowtoremove dot com
try freezing the major part and then try melting the left over with an iron-use a cloth ontop of the wax to soak up the wax..
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 9:34 AM |
removing candle wax |
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distressedjester
Posts: 575
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I had a bunch of candles sitting around the bathroom and tub last night and got distracted (no comments from the peanut gallery) and ended up leaving them burning all night.
*DJ is just opening his mouth to make a comment, when the peanut gallery police clamp a hand over his pie-hole*
Mmmmmph...mmmm.....mmmmf!
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 9:39 AM |
removing candle wax
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mailorderannie
Posts: 6,021
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I HAVE used an iron and brown paper bag to remove candle wax from carpeting and you can't even tell it was there...but I don't think that would work on a smooth surface. ICE ICE baby is the answer
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 1:35 PM |
removing candle wax |
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razzired
Posts: 2,922
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The ice-in-a-bag thing worked great. It was still a major pain in the neck to get it all up, but...it worked.
I was using a butter knife on the wax on the wall. It got it off, but it still left gouges and removed some paint. It's not noticeable, because it's on the wall behind the toilet, but I know its there and it buggs me.
Thanks, all you amateur Heloises! I knew someone would have an answer for me!
MJ
[Edited on 10/8/2006 1:53 PM]
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 1:42 PM |
removing candle wax
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grumblebear
Posts: 10,593
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as a guy, I've never had the candles in the bathroom issue, but I did fall asleep in the tub once... dropped a lit cigarette on a sensitive body part...  woke me up in an instant.... lol
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| Oct 8, 2006 @ 1:49 PM |
removing candle wax |
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LipGlossQueen9
Posts: 11,176
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Seeing only the title of this thread, many other things came to my mind, but not furniture...
me too 
and seeing only the title, i thought..."why" 
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