How to remove floor wax from a stone hearth?

Q. I spilled a little bit of floor wax on the stone that sits in front of my fireplace. Can you tell me how to get that stain off? It’s been on there for a couple of years, I’m afraid. Thank you.

A. Removing floor wax from your stone fireplace hearth, particularly after it has been present for an extended period, can be a difficult task to approach. Rest assured, we have possible solutions.

Knowing what type of stone you have, whether it’s granite, marble, limestone, or another material, and the type of finish (polished, honed, or rough) your stone has, and whether sealer has been applied, will help determine which cleaning products and methods are safest to use. If you're not sure about the sealer, put a few drops of water on the stone. Observe the water droplets. Do they form beads, or do they become absorbed into the stone right away? If the water beads and does not soak into the stone within a few minutes, chances are the stone has been sealed in the past, and the sealer is still doing what it was designed to do.

Before you attempt to remove the floor wax, there are a couple of things you need to know. Avoid using acidic or abrasive cleaners on delicate stones like marble and limestone. Etch damage could result. Be aware that solvents might strip existing sealers, so resealing could be necessary after treating the area.

Removing floor wax from natural stone requires care and the right approach to avoid damaging the surface. Unfortunately, we are missing specific information about your stone. So let’s walk through a step-by-step plan that will be suitable for most types of stone. 

1. Remove excess floor wax. Use a plastic scraper or a sturdy plastic card to gently remove any thick layers of wax. Avoid metal tools, which can scratch the stone.
2. Soften and lift the floor wax. Floor wax is designed to resist water but will dissolve with solvents like mineral spirits or denatured alcohol. Test a small, hidden area first to make sure the solvent won’t cause any problems. Apply the solvent to a soft cloth and gently rub the waxed areas until the wax softens and lifts.
3. Clean the area. After the floor wax softens and lifts, clean the stone with a pH-neutral stone cleaner and soft white absorbent cloth, specifically formulated for natural stone surfaces. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that can damage sensitive stones like marble or limestone. 
4. Apply a poultice, if needed. If the floor wax has penetrated the stone or remains after cleaning, a poultice may be necessary. A poultice draws the contaminants 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.

If removing the floor wax causes any inadvertent damage to the stone or finish, consult with a professional stone restoration contractor. An experienced technician should be able to achieve the results you want. To find a vetted PRO in your area, visit www.surfacecarepros.com and click on Find a PRO.

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.]