How to Remove Old Wax Buildup and Restore Shine to My Table

"I have just steamed white marks off of my dining room table. I want to know what you might have that I can remove old wax buildup and restore the shine back to my table? – Hargrove of Indiana"

Hi Hargrove of Indiana, we think we can help.

Assuming that your table is sealed, our recommendation for removing a solvent-based wax product like Paste Wax is to clean the surface of the table with Mineral Spirits.

This should only be used on furniture where the finish (seal) is still in good condition and it should be tested in a small area before applying to the full surface of the table.

Also, the wood will probably appear dull after it’s cleaned with Mineral Spirits, but that’s normal and the shine will reappear once a new furniture care product is applied.

Here are the steps for using Mineral Spirits on the table (the odor free version is usually preferred when used in the home):

• Pour a small amount of the solvent onto the surface (be careful not to let it run or drip).
• Use a clean, folded cloth and circular washing motion to clean the surface. It’s important to change the cloths frequently to avoid redepositing the wax, polish, or soil.
• Wipe the surface dry immediately with another clean cloth.
• Continue cleaning section by section until all wax, polish or soil is removed.

Once this process is complete, you can rewax or polish the table to restore the shine – using either Paste Wax or a Pledge® Furniture product.

Keep in mind that these suggestions are for sealed wood surfaces. If your table isn’t sealed, then you may want to check with a local hardware or home improvement store for a recommendation.

Hope this helps!