Don’t use water. Water and wood are like oil and water, except wood soaks up water like a sponge and gets ugly. Just don’t. It’s a rookie mistake.
Don’t use a hairdryer on max heat. You’ll melt the wax, sure, but you’ll also scorch the finish. Your table will look like it’s been through a desert sunburn. Not cute.
Don’t use a metal scraper. Metal is the enemy of wood. You’ll leave grooves that look like a toddler went at it with a toy rake. Stick with plastic or your fingernail (if you’re brave).
If you have a really expensive table, maybe call a professional. But for your everyday coffee table—the one with coaster rings and snack crumbs—these hacks are perfect.
Remember: wax on wood is not a disaster. It’s just a story you’ll tell at your next dinner party. “Remember when I turned my table into a candle? Yeah, I fixed it with an ice cube and some salad dressing.”
So go ahead, light your candles again. Just maybe put them on a coaster. Or at least keep the ice cubes ready.
