How to Easily Remove Wax from Wood Furniture

Take wood furniture cleaner and apply a generous amount to a clean dry cloth. Vigorously rub the wood furniture, until the dull waxy buildup is gone. Use wood furniture wax remover and apply a small amount to a clean dry cloth. Rub the wood furniture in circular motions with the wax remover, until the dull surface appears shiny again.

Use wood furniture conditioner to condition the wood after the wax is removed. Don't overuse furniture polishes that contain wax and cause wax buildup. Take 0000 grade steel wool and rub the entire surface of furniture to remove stubborn wax. Do not use anything higher than 0000 grade steel wool, for this is the least abrasive steel wool that removes wax without scratching furniture.

Strip the wood furniture to remove dull, waxy buildup. Take a chemical stripping agent and apply to the wood with a paint brush. Make sure to put on a pair of disposable latex plastic gloves and a chemical fumes mask to protect from fumes. Transport the wood furniture outside, weather permitting. If inside, open up all the windows while using chemicals. Place tarps or old newspaper on the floor to protect from spills. Wait for the stripping agent to set, and scrape away the wax with a scraping tool, such as a putty knife. Take 320 grit sand paper or an electric sander, and sand the wood thoroughly, making sure to sand with the grain. Once the wood is sanded, it will have a fresh surface without wax, and can now be refinished.

Refinish the wood furniture with clear varnish over the natural grain, or stain the furniture first for a darkened wood look. Once stained, apply clear varnish or lacquer finish to seal in the wood. The finish will now be wax free, and can easily be maintained to prevent dulling wax buildup in the future.

To maintain the wood, dust frequently, and polish once in a while, not excessively. Polish buildup is what ruins the finish and adds to a waxy buildup, especially if the polish contains beeswax. Sometimes furniture, if antique, was waxed with full strength beeswax. Over time, the surface has become hardened with surface dirt trapped into the wax. This is when chemical stripping can remove the old layers of wax and dirt, without ruining a piece of delicate furniture. Be careful not to scratch the wood during wax removal, especially in the case of antique or delicate wood that won't be sanded.