Removing Wax Stains from Latex Paint

If you are looking for a romantic evening, then candles can add just the right kind of touch. If you are looking for a way to relax from a stressful day at work, then candles can help create the perfect lighting for a relaxed atmosphere. Needless to say, candles can help set the tone for just about any type of situation. However, these wonderful lighting and interior decorating accessories all have one thing in common—they can create a horrendous mess if they get spilled.

Removing the wax stains can be a tad annoying and frustrating if you don't know what to do. Painting doesn't seem to work, since most paints won't adhere to wax and the wax tends to bleed through the covering paint. It can be equally frustrating to try removing the wax, and you end up stripping the paint at the same time. These methods will work to remove the wax (and stains) without ruining your walls—as long as you exercise care.

• Iron. After you have allowed the wax to dry, get a paper towel or brown paper bag and your iron. Turn the iron to a low setting and hold it over the paper towel or brown paper bag against the wax. Periodically lift the iron and the bag to make sure that you are not burning the towel, bag, or wall. You should notice as the wax heats up that it gets soaked into the towel and not through it. Once all the wax has been removed from the wall, you are finished.
• Blow dryer. Similar to the iron method, you simply hold the blow dryer roughly six inches away from bag while the dryer is turned to a medium heat. Periodically remove the paper towel or similar medium, and you are going to be able to see that all the wax has been removed.
• Scrape. An oldie but goodie, simply wait till the wax has been completely dried and then use a butter knife or credit card to scrape the wax off the wall. Be gentle as you do this so that you don't damage the walls. You also need to make sure that you have something in place to catch the wax as it falls, that way you don't have a mess on the floor.
• Magic Eraser. Made by Mr. Clean, this is probably one of the best methods that you can use to remove the stain left from the wax. Use this method only after you have actually removed as much of the wax as you can, or you are going to end up spreading it all over the wall. Moisten the eraser and gently scrub the stain from off the wall. If you push too hard then you are going to end up removing the paint as well.
• Spray 'N Wash. The same thing that you use to pre-treat your clothes for those really tough stains is also going to help you get rid of any wax stains. Spray a little of the stain remover onto a paper towel or washcloth and scrub it off. Again, make sure that you are being gentle when you scrub or you can once again end up removing paint.