How to Remove Candle Wax from a Vinyl Floor

Candle wax spills are very common as the wax can easily splatter when moving it or blowing out the flame too aggressively, or it can run off like it has its own mind if you don’t have a proper wax catcher beneath the candle. The methods below can be used to clean up the spilled wax. Choose the method that will be easiest for you based on the materials you have available.

You Will Need:

• Brown paper
• An iron or hair dryer
• Isopropyl alcohol

Steps to Remove the Candle Wax:

1. Lay a piece of brown paper over the wax. If you are using a paper shopping bag, turn it inside out so any dyes are on the inside.
2. If using an iron, turn it to the lowest setting and move it gently over the paper bag. The wax will melt and be absorbed by the paper. If there is a lot of wax, rotate the paper to a clean area as needed.
3. If using a hair dryer, hold it several inches away from the paper and move it slowly over the area. The wax will melt and be absorbed by the paper.
4. Once you have remove as much wax as you can with the paper, use a plastic scraper (a plastic spoon works well) to scrape off the rest of the softened wax.
5. If there is a dye stain that remains, put a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cloth and rub the stain. Rotate the cloth to a clean area as the dye is transferred to it.

You Will Need:

• A hair dryer
• A plastic scraper, such as:
  • An actual plastic scraper
  • A gift card
  • A plastic spoon
• Isopropyl alcohol

Steps to Remove the Wax:

1. Use a hair dryer to soften the wax. Hold it several inches away from the wax (not too close or you might damage the vinyl).
2. After the wax has softened, use the scraper to gently scrape it up. Do not press so hard that you could damage the vinyl.
3. If there is a dye stain that remains, put a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cloth and rub the stain. Rotate the cloth to a clean area as the dye is transferred to it.

You Will Need:

• Ice cubes
• A plastic scraper, such as:
  • An actual plastic scraper
  • A gift card
  • A plastic spoon

Steps to Remove the Wax:

Rub an ice cube over the wax to harden it. It helps to hold the ice cube with a paper towel so it’s not cold on your fingers and so your finger warmth doesn’t cause it to melt faster.
Once the wax is fully hardened, carefully chip it off with a plastic scraper.
If there is a dye stain that remains, put a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a cloth and rub the stain. Rotate the cloth to a clean area as the dye is transferred to it.

• If you use candles regularly, try to get ones that are not petroleum-based as these tend to contain dyes that are more likely to stain if the wax spills.
• If you don’t have any isopropyl alcohol, plain vodka can be used instead. Do not use rubbing alcohol as it contains additives, including dyes, which could stain or damage the vinyl. Hand sanitizer that contains alcohol may also work.