Removing wax from quartz countertops can be a daunting task. You may be wondering if it is even possible to remove all of the wax without damaging your countertop. Fear not, for we have compiled a list of tips and tricks that will help you remove every last bit of wax.
Wax On Quartz Countertops
Before we head on over to the removal process, let’s go over some basics. A lot of the wax being used today is made of paraffin wax instead of the good old beeswax. This means that the removal process will be a bit different.
With the surge of scented candles, it’s no surprise candle stains are a very common thing.
Wax can easily drip, spilled, or can be blown onto your countertop, and getting them off whether still wet or dry can be very annoying.
It can be frustrating when you spill or have wax melt over your countertops and this tends to be worse on other types of porous countertop materials like granite, marble, and limestone.
The good news is that quartz is a non-porous material so the wax won’t be able to penetrate it. However, because of this, the wax can sit on top of the counter and be quite difficult to remove.
There are solvents that can help break down the wax, making it much easier to remove from quartz countertops. You can also use a putty knife or razor blade to scrape away the wax.
There are a few other methods you can use to get rid of the wax from your countertops depending on how much there is and how long it’s been there.
If the wax is fresh and hasn’t had a chance to set, you can use a putty knife or old credit card to scrape it up. If the wax is older and has hardened, you’ll need to use a little more elbow grease.
How To Remove Wax From Quartz Countertops
Let’s now delve into the nitty-gritty of how to remove wax from quartz countertops. All these methods will work on facial wax, candle wax, body wax, and any other type of wax.
1. The Ironing Method
While this sounds counterintuitive, using iron can actually help remove wax from your quartz countertops. The way this works is to help melt and loosen a lot of the hardened wax so that it is easier to remove.
This will work on any type of wax, but it is especially useful for paraffin wax. It is also great for an old hardened wax stain on your counter. Here’s what you need to do:
You’ll Need:
- An iron
- A clean, dry cloth or paper towels
- Mild dish soap
- Microfiber cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- With the help of a popsicle stick, putty knife, or an old credit card, scrape as much of the wax off the counter as possible.
- You want to remove as much of the wax as you can before moving on to the next step.
Step 2:
- Place a paper towel over the wax stains on the quartz countertop.
- Make sure you have at least 2 layers of paper towel.
- Make sure the paper towel is wide enough to cover the entire base of the iron
Step 3:
- Put the iron on a low heat setting and place it over the paper towel.
- Do not move the iron around, just keep it in one spot for about 15-20 seconds.
- You should see the wax start to transfer onto the paper towel.
Step 4:
- Quickly remove the paper towel together with the wax that has been transferred onto it.
- If there is any wax left on the counter, repeat steps one to three until all the wax has been removed.
Step 5:
- Once all the wax has been removed, clean the area with some mild dish soap and hot water solution.
- This will get rid of the dulling film that the wax leaves behind.
Step 6:
- Wipe the surface of the quartz countertop dry with a clean dry microfiber cloth.
- You can also use a glass cleaner to make your countertop shine.
- And there you have it! Your quartz countertop should now be free of any wax stains.
2. Hairdryer And Paper Towel Method
Another awesome home remedy for getting rid of wax is to use a hairdryer and paper towel. Very similar to the ironing method, the idea is to make the wax soft enough to scrape off.
Between this method and the ironing method, this one is probably a tad bit easier and safer as a lot of people tend to be freaked out about putting an iron over their expensive quartz countertops – knowing quartz is made up of resins.
To use the hairdryer method, here are the things you need and the steps you need to follow;
You’ll Need:
- A Hairdryer
- A couple of paper towels
- A putty knife
- Mild dish soap
- Microfiber cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Start by scraping off as much of the wax as you can with a putty knife.
Step 2:
- Place or lay a piece of paper towel over the wax stain.
- This will help to prevent direct heat contact with the quartz surface.
Step 3:
- Plugin your hairdryer and make sure it is set to high heat.
Step 4:
- Hold the hairdryer about an inch or two away from the paper towel and wax.
- Slowly move the hairdryer back and forth over the area until you see the wax start to soften.
Step 5:
- Once the wax is soft, use the paper towel to remove it.
- Replace the paper towel and repeat the process.
- Continue heating and removing the wax until it is all gone.
Step 6:
- Once you are done, give the area a quick wipe down with a mild dish soap solution, and then dry it off with a clean microfiber cloth.
- And that’s it! You’ve now successfully removed all the wax from your quartz countertop using the hairdryer and paper towel method.
3. The Boiling Water Method
The boiling water method is a technique my sister-in-law told me was taught to her by a professional house cleaner who came to her house. Apparently, this is one of the most effective ways to remove wax from any surface – not just quartz.
The idea behind it is that the boiling water will cause the wax to lightly soften and expand, making it easier for you to scrape off. This will usually not result in the wax completely melting making it easier to scrape off.
It is probably the quickest way to remove wax from any surface, but you do need to be careful as boiling water can cause serious burns. Here’s what you need and what you need to do;
You’ll Need:
- A cup of boiling water
- A clean dry cloth or paper towel
- Mild dish soap
- Microfiber cloth
- Rags
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Start by placing your rags around the wax stain(s) to help contain the boiling water.
- You don’t want the boiling water spreading and making a mess everywhere.
Step 2:
- Lay a piece of paper towel or microfiber cloth over the wax stain.
Step 3:
- Pour the boiling water over the cloth-covered wax and let it sit for about 30 seconds to a minute.
Step 4:
- Use the putty knife or popsicle stick to try shifting or scraping the wax. If it is still not budging, repeat steps two to four.
- So you want to repeat the process of pouring boiling water and scraping until the wax is completely removed.
Step 5:
- Once the wax is removed and you happen to have some dull spots, simply wipe the area with a mild dish soap solution and then dry it off with a clean microfiber cloth.
- There you go!
4. The Ice Cubes Method
In another more traditional approach, the ice cube method is probably the most common home remedy for removing wax.
The idea behind it is that since water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), placing an ice cube on the wax will make it harden and contract. This makes it easier for you to scrape off.
This is a pretty straightforward approach and doesn’t require any special materials. Here’s what you need and what to do;
You’ll Need:
- Ice cubes (or a bag of ice)
- A putty knife or popsicle stick
- Mild dish soap
- Microfiber cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Start by placing the ice cubes directly on the wax stain or in a bag.
- If using a bag, make sure it is big enough so that it covers the entire waxed area.
Step 2:
- Allow the ice to sit on the wax for about 15-30 minutes.
Step 3:
- Use the putty knife or popsicle stick to try shifting or scraping the wax.
- If it is still not budging, repeat steps one and two.
Step 4:
- Once the wax is removed, clean the area with mild dish soap and a microfiber cloth.
- And that’s it! You’ve now learned how to remove wax from quartz countertops using the ice cube method.
5. The Mineral Oil Method
If any of the heat methods are not conducive for you, you can use mineral oil to remove the wax from your quartz countertops.
Mineral oil is a natural lubricant that can be found in almost all supermarkets. It’s also pretty inexpensive and won’t damage your quartz countertops.
You’ll Need:
- A bottle of mineral oil
- A putty knife or popsicle stick
- Mild dish soap
- Microfiber cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Start by pouring a small amount of mineral oil directly on the wax stain.
Step 2:
- Allow the oil to sit for about 5-10 minutes so that it can start to loosen the wax.
Step 3:
- Use the putty knife or popsicle stick to scraping the wax.
- Repeat the process if necessary.
Step 4:
- Once the wax is removed, clean the area with mild dish soap and a microfiber cloth.
- Dry off the countertop surface and it should be as good as new.
6. The Goo Gone & Rubbing Alcohol Method
Another thing that works as far as removing wax is concerned is using Goo Gone and rubbing alcohol.
Goo Gone is a citrus-based solvent that can be found in most hardware stores while rubbing alcohol is pretty much readily available in any grocery store. Both of these are very common and can be found in almost any household. To use this method,
You’ll Need:
- A bottle of Goo Gone or rubbing alcohol
- A putty knife or popsicle stick
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Scrape off as much of the wax that you can with the putty knife or popsicle stick.
Step 2:
- Once most of the wax is removed, pours some goo gone on your microfiber cloth and then apply it to the area where the wax was.
- This will help to remove all the way residue.
- You may need a little bit of elbow grease to get everything out completely.
Step 3:
- Once all of the wax residue is removed, the only thing that will be left behind is the goo gone and a dull wax film.
- You can use the rubbing alcohol to clean off the area.
- This will help to remove any lingering residue and will also disinfect the area.
- Wait a few minutes and use a water-damp microfiber cloth to wipe then entire quartz surface and you’re done!
Important Tips For Removing Wax From Quartz
Here is a quick summary of a few important tips you should have in mind when removing wax from quartz;
- Do not use any harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or abrasive pads as this can damage your countertops.
- Never apply direct heat to the surface of your quartz countertop to remove the wax.
- Be patient and take your time when removing the wax.
- You may need to repeat the process a few times to get everything out.
- Also, you should never use any scented or colored candles directly on your quartz countertops as the wax can be very difficult to remove.
- You want to treat wax spills as quickly as possible to avoid any damage to your quartz countertops.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are quite a few different ways that you can remove wax from quartz countertops. The most important thing is to be patient and take your time.
Just pick any of the methods based on the materials you have at home and get cleaning. You will be impressed by the results.
And that’s it! You should now have all the information you need to remove wax from quartz countertops. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!
