How to Get Wax Off Walls, Wood, and Wallpaper

Simple Methods for Every Type of Wax Stain

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette 2018
Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 09/18/23
Wax crayon drawings on white painted wall next to cleaning supplies, crayons and paper drawing

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 5 - 30 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0-$5

Determining how to get wax off walls may be tricky but it will help remove the damage done by crayon marks or splattered wax from a candle. Most candles are made up of several components—natural or petroleum-based wax, fragrance, and dye. Crayons, of course, contain lots of dye and wax.

The method you choose for removing wax from walls depends on the wall's surface. We'll cover the steps for removal from painted walls, natural wood, and wallpaper. The same techniques can be used to remove wax from furniture with similar surfaces and most of the same products can be used if you need to remove wax from table linens or carpet.

How Often to Clean Wax From Walls

Beyond the obvious stain that colored candle wax or crayons leave on a wall, it is important to remove even clear wax splatters. When it is time to repaint or wallpaper the wall, wax residue will interfere with how well the paint and wallcovering adhesive adhere to the wall.

How to Get Crayon Off a Wall

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Painted Walls

  • Thin-edged plastic scraper or old credit card
  • Hand-held hairdryer
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Bowl

Unpainted Wood Walls

  • Scraper/credit card
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Old toothbrush
  • Bowl

Wallpaper

  • Credit card
  • Iron

Materials

Painted Walls

  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Rag

Unpainted Wood Walls

  • Ice cubes
  • Plastic bag
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Baking soda

Wallpaper

  • Ice cubes
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Paper towels

Instructions

Materials and tools to remove wax from walls

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

How to Remove Wax From Painted Walls

  1. Soften the Wax

    If you catch a candle wax splatter while it is still soft, you can move to the next step.

    Use a hand-held hairdryer to remove wax that has already hardened. Set the dryer to medium heat and hold it at least 4 to 6 inches from the wall to allow the heat to soften the wax.

    Hand-held hair dryer softening the wax on walls with medium heat

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  2. Remove the Excess Wax

    Use a very thin-edged plastic scraper, the edge of an old credit card, or a rag to lift away the softened wax. Do your best not to smear the wax or gouge the wall.

    Thin-edged plastic scraper lifting away softened wax from walls

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  3. Mix a Cleaning Solution

    In a large bowl, mix one part hot water with three-parts distilled white vinegar.

    Distilled white vinegar mixed with hot water for cleaning solution

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  4. Wash Away Wax Residue

    • Dip a microfiber cloth in the vinegar and water solution. Wring until it's just damp, not dripping.
    • Starting at the top of the wax-stained area, wipe down the wall using gentle pressure.
    • Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the wax is transferred.
    Gray microfiber cloth wiping cleaning solution on wax-stained area of wall

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

  5. Dry the Wall

    Use a dry microfiber cloth to dry and buff the wall.

    Tip

    A microfiber cloth is recommended for removing wax from the wall because it is lint-free and the weave of the fibers provides a gentle abrasive surface to help lift the wax from the painted wall.

    Dry microfiber cloth buffing the wall

    The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

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How to Remove Wax From an Unpainted Wood Wall

  1. Harden the Wax

    Place a couple of ice cubes in a sealable plastic bag and hold it against the wax for about 30 to 60 seconds.

    Plastic bag with ice cubes held against wood surface with wax marks

    The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

  2. Scrape Gently

    Use a thin-edged plastic scraper or the edge of an old credit card to scrape away the hardened wax. Hold the plastic edge flat against the wood surface and the wax may pop off the wood. Use a light touch to prevent scratching the wood's surface.

    Edge of old credit card scraping away wax marks from wood surface

    The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

  3. Remove Waxy Residue From Finished Wood Wall

    • For wood walls that have a finished surface, mix one part hot water and two parts distilled white vinegar in a bowl.
    • Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and wring until just damp. Wipe away the wax residue.
    • Finish by buffing the surface with a dry microfiber cloth.
    Microfiber cloth dampened with white vinegar and water wiping wax residue

    The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

  4. Remove Waxy Residue From Unfinished Wood Wall

    • Because unfinished wood has a rough surface (think barn wood), the wax residue may be harder to remove.
    • Dampen an old toothbrush with water and dip it in dry baking soda.
    • Following the grain of the wood, apply gentle pressure on the brush to remove any waxy residue from the grooves of the wood.
    • Finish by wiping the area with the vinegar and water solution.
    • Buff dry with a microfiber cloth.
    Old toothbrush scrubbing against old wood surface to remove waxy residue

    The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

How to Remove Wax From Wallpaper

Removing wax from wallpaper is tricky because there are different types of wallpaper finishes—grasscloth, paper, vinyl, and foil. Always use a gentle touch and work slowly to prevent additional damage.

  1. Harden the Wax

    Often, if the wax is hardened with ice, it can be popped off with the edge of a credit card.

    • Place a couple of ice cubes in a sealable plastic bag and hold the bag on the wax for 30 to 60 seconds.
    • Use your fingernail or the edge of an old credit card to see if the wax will pop off the wallpaper. Do not gouge the surface of the paper.
    • If you have vinyl washable wallpaper, this will usually remove the wax, and then you can wipe down the surface with your usual cleaner.

    Ice cubes in plastic bag pressed against wallpaper to harden wax residue

    The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

  2. Soften the Wax

    If all of the wax doesn't come off, it's time to soften and absorb it.

    • Place three to four layers of paper towels over the wax stain.
    • Set an iron to the lowest heat setting. Press the iron against the paper towels. Lift the iron every 10 to 15 seconds to check the paper towels for wax absorption.
    • Keep applying heat until the wax is fully absorbed. You may want to use fresh paper towels as the wax is absorbed to prevent retransferring wax to the wallpaper.
    Heated iron and paper towels pressed against wax residue on wallpaper

    The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

How to Prevent Wax Stains

  • Burn candles on safe surfaces at least a few feet away from walls, ensuring the surface they're burned on is easy to clean if future spills occur. 
  • To put candles out, cover the candle with its lid rather than blowing air on the wick to prevent splashes. 
  • Allow candles to cool completely before moving them.

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