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When wax comes in contact with concrete, it sticks fast. Removing it will depend on what you've got available but don't worry, remove it you will!
Steps
An ordinary steam iron works well for small wax spills (for example, liquid car wax). [1] X Research source
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Rent a commercial steamer. Such appliances are usually available at large hardware/home improvement stores and some supermarkets.
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Steam the spot until the wax starts to melt.Advertisement
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Keep steaming until most to all of the wax has melted. Wipe it with an absorbent material. Repeat until all the wax is removed.
- Repeat as required.
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Return the commercial steamer.
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This is suitable for a small area.
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Layer several pieces of kitchen paper towel or brown paper, or a terry towel rag over the wax stain. Prepare a bottle of mineral spirits and a bucket of dish detergent and warm water, at the ready. [2] X Research source
- The towel rag will absorb more wax than the paper, but use what you have available.
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Heat the iron on a hot setting.
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Remove the heat and the paper layers. Quickly mop up the melted wax using paper towel or rags and the mineral spirits.
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Remove the mineral spirits with the detergent and warm water. Mop it all up and allow to dry. [4] X Research source
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Repeat if needed.
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Prepare the cleansers. Have a bottle of mineral spirits and a bucket of warm water with detergent at the ready.
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Use a putty knife or similar scraper to remove as much wax as possible. Discard this into the bin.
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Place a terry towel rag over the top of the wax. This will absorb a lot of what melts, reducing how much mopping up you'll need to do. This step is optional but advisable; if you don't have this towel, you can still heat the wax directly.
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Set the hair dryer to its hottest temperature. Hold over the wax to melt it. Go over it as much as is needed to melt the most wax. [5] X Research source
- You'll need to lift up the terry toweling rag to check you're getting it all.
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Wipe up the melted wax with the mineral spirits and a rag or kitchen paper towel. Clean away the mineral spirits with the detergent and warm water. Allow to air dry. [6] X Research source
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Repeat if needed.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow to maintain a concrete countertop?Erik Bakirov is a Cleaning Specialist at Room413 Cleaning in Los Angeles, California. Erik specializes in deep, move-in, and move-out cleaning services. Room413 matches homeowners with reliable and trustworthy cleaning services. They also promote environmentally friendly cleaning products.To actively clean and maintain concrete countertops, dust them regularly, with a recommended frequency depending on usage. Similar to stone surfaces, wet a rag and apply a small amount of soap, such as Dawn dish soap. Wipe the concrete down to remove dirt and grime, adjusting the cleaning frequency based on the level of use. This routine ensures the concrete remains in good condition and enhances its longevity.
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Tips
- If you have wax on another surface, such as a shirt, you can use a regular steam iron.Thanks
- White vinegar can be used in place of mineral spirits.Thanks
- Terry towel rags can be made from old towels; simply cut into squares or other shapes as needed. Old towels can be purchased readily at thrift stores and cheap towels can be obtained from dollar stores. Keep your old towels for cleaning purposes.Thanks
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