How to remove candle wax and a stain from stone on a wood burning stove?

Q. I accidentally left a candle on my wood burner, lit a fire, and the wax melted. The candle was on a saucer, which collected most of the wax. When I moved the candle and placed it on the hearth, I spilt the wax. After it had cooled down I lifted the saucer, it left a tan mark on the stone under the wax. I have tried rubbing alcohol, which has made a slight difference, but can you suggest anything else which will get the stain out?

A. It sounds like you’ve got two problems to deal with here — first, the wax itself, and second, the stain it’s left behind. You’ll need to tackle them in that order for the best results.

To remove the candle wax from the porous surface of the stone, use a plastic scraper to scrape the solid wax material off. Make sure you don’t use metal or any sharp object to remove wax as it may scratch the finish of the stone. Use white paper towels and a hot iron (some wax may end up on your iron) to lift whatever wax remains. Repeat as needed, replacing waxy towels with clean towels.

The second step will be to remove any staining the wax may leave behind. Use a moist, clean, white cloth to clean the surface. If any discoloration remains, apply a few drops of degreaser or ammonia to the cloth and clean the area again. Rinse the surface with water and allow it to completely dry.

For stubborn staining, apply a poultice. A poultice draws the stain out of the stone over time. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to mix and apply a poultice correctly, check out our free Stain Management App.

Your poultice ingredients will be 40 volume hydrogen peroxide, available at beauty supply stores, and a dry ingredient, such as poultice powder, diatomaceous earth, or flour. If the stain fades at all, keep reapplying the poultice until the stain is completely removed. If the stain does not fade, try applying a poultice of paint thinner and a dry ingredient. 

With a bit of patience and the right approach, you should be able to resolve the problem. Just remember to work carefully, avoid anything abrasive, and give the poultice time to do its job.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fred Hueston is the Chief Technical Director at SurfaceCarePROS.com and Director at StoneForensics.com. He is also the author of Stone and Tile Restoration: The Manual, a comprehensive online manual for stone and tile restoration contractors. [Learn more about Fred.]