Question:

What is the best way to remove candle wax from a brick fireplace hearth?

Answer:

Unwanted hardened wax on any surface can be a nettlesome problem but is especially tough when it has found its way into the porous crevices of a brick mantel or hearth.

Follow this simple “fire and ice” approach to rid brick of the remains left by dripping candles.

Wax on. Wax off.

Harden and chip: Place several ice cubes in a plastic bag. Rest the bag on the wax and harden it fully. The hardened wax can then be easily scraped or chipped away with a credit card or a plastic spatula; or gently scrape using the dull side of an old table knife.

Melt and absorb: Use a hair dryer on high heat to soften the remaining wax. Scrape again. Next, put a layer of paper towels, a white rag, or a paper bag over the wax and pass a warm iron over the area. As the wax is absorbed, keep moving a clean area of the towel, rag, or bag onto the spot. The cloth or paper should absorb most of the melted wax, and it should take up the oily residue along with it.

Call in the pros: The maker of the miracle worker Goo Gone also sells Candle Wax Lifter ($6, www.organize.com), which can help you get at those last bits of wax that seem inexorably buried in the crevices of your brick mantel. Apply the product to the affected area, give it three minutes to set in, scrape off any excess, and agitate the surface with a brass- or nylon-bristle brush. Blot with a towel to absorb any remaining wax, or use a Q-tip to get into tiny nooks. Next, wash the area with mild dish soap and water. (Note: You may have to do this a couple of times, and the final results will depend on your level of commitment.)

Prevention is the best remedy. Here are tips to avoid this problem in the future:

To help keep candles from dripping, freeze them for 24 hours before lighting.

Never move a burning candle or one that you have just (gently!) blown out. Wait until the wax has cooled and hardened.

Kate Parker
Home Department