How to Wax Furniture

Co-authored by William & Shannon Latil and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: January 24, 2022 References Approved

Polishing furniture with wax is a classic way to protect it while giving it a beautiful luster. Use natural beeswax or a polish that contains a vegetable wax, such as carnauba. Since the wax forms a barrier, you can apply it to painted or unfinished furniture. Buff the wax until your furniture shines. To maintain the look, apply a new coat of wax whenever the wax wears off and appears dull.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Selecting a Wax

1
Choose beeswax for a soft, natural finish. If you'd like a wax that doesn't contain synthetic additives, buy a container of beeswax furniture polish. This polish is easy to apply and it will give your furniture a soft glow. Keep in mind that because it's such a soft wax, it won't protect your furniture as much as other polishes and it will be sticky unless you buff it well.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- You might find products that contain a mixture of beeswax and carnauba wax, which make the polish more durable.
2
Look for a product with carnauba wax for a long-lasting finish. Carnauba is a popular vegetable wax that's added to furniture polishes because it buffs to a high shine. It also lasts longer than beeswax alone.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Did You Know: You might see furniture oils that are a combination of carnauba wax with mineral oil. While these are easy to apply, they won't provide long-lasting coverage like a beeswax or carnauba polish.

Advertisement
3
Use liquid wax on heavily carved or ornate furniture. Liquid wax doesn't contain as much wax as paste wax, so it won't last as long. Choose liquid wax if you'd like to coat furniture with lots of decorative carvings, which would be difficult to work a paste wax into.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- For example, select liquid wax for intricately carved chair or table legs.
4
Avoid using floor wax on furniture. Most commercial floor waxes contain less wax so they're easier to spread across an entire floor. Since this wax is also softer, it won't last on furniture as long as a furniture wax.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If you do use a floor wax, you'll probably need to reapply the wax every few months instead of once or twice a year.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Applying the Wax

1
Work in a clean space so you don't kick up dust. Find a well-ventilated area to wax the furniture and ensure that it's not dusty. You might want to use a clean workroom instead of a woodworking room that contains a lot of sawdust.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Open a window to ventilate the room. This also helps your furniture dry faster.
2
Clean surface with a soft and damp cloth to remove dust. Whether you're waxing painted or unfinished furniture, start with a clean surface. Take a clean, damp cloth and wipe over the surface of the furniture to remove all dust and dirt. This prevents dust from appearing in the wax finish.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Use lint-free cloths or cloths that don't have loose edges. This prevents fibers from getting into the wax.
3
Dip a wax brush or clean cloth into the wax. If you don't like getting your hands messy, take a stiff wax brush that has flat bristles and rub it into the wax to evenly coat the bottom of the bristles. Scoop a coin-sized amount of wax onto the cloth.^{[7]
X
Research source}^{[8]
X
Expert Source

William & Shannon Latil
Furniture Refinishing & Home Remodeling Specialists
Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}
- Ensure that there aren't loose threads on the cloth that could release fibers into the wax.
- You could also use a soft cloth or rag if you don't mind getting a little wax on your hands.
4
Rub a thin layer of wax into the furniture using circular motions. Gently work the wax across the entire surface of the furniture starting from 1 side and working towards the opposite side. Using small, circular movements prevents streaks. Keep dabbing the cloth or brush into the wax every few swipes so you're applying more wax instead of lifting it off.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- It's better to apply several small, thin layers of wax rather than a thick coat, which would dry dull and hazy. If you see ridges of wax on the furniture, you've applied too much wax and you'll need to buff it off.
- Try to apply the wax gradually as you go.^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  William & Shannon Latil
  Furniture Refinishing & Home Remodeling Specialists
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}
Tip: Although you can cover furniture that's been varnished, lacquered, or painted, it's difficult to apply wax to latex-painted furniture. This is because a latex surface isn't porous and it won't absorb the wax.
5
Let the furniture dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most furniture waxes dry within minutes, but you might be advised to wait up to 30 minutes for the wax to dry. The wax will turn from shiny to dull as it dries.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- It might take longer for the wax to dry if you're in a cold or poorly ventilated space.
- To tell if the wax has finished drying, touch it gently in an inconspicuous spot to see if it's no longer sticky.
6
Buff the waxed furniture in circular motions for a shiny finish. Take a clean, wax-free cloth and gently rub the furniture until the wax coating shines. Keep working in circular motions across the entire surface of the furniture until the furniture is as lustrous as you like.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- You'll achieve a shinier finish by using a really soft cloth. In addition to using soft cotton cloths, you could use a terry cloth, an old T-shirt, or a cotton diaper.
- It doesn't matter if you buff with or against the grain of the furniture.
- You can also use a buffer drill attachment to buff the wax.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  William & Shannon Latil
  Furniture Refinishing & Home Remodeling Specialists
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2021.}
7
Wait at least 4 to 8 hours before applying a second layer of wax. If you're covering painted furniture, you may not want to apply another coat, which could make the furniture even shinier. If you're covering unfinished furniture, plan on applying a total of 3 layers, but remember to buff the wax between each application.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Once you finish waxing and buffing the furniture, wait about 30 minutes before placing things on the furniture or using it.
8
Apply a new coat of wax 1 to 2 times a year. You'll notice that the furniture becomes shiny when you dust it throughout the week. Once you see that the furniture isn't buffing to a shine, it's time to apply a new coat of wax. Follow the same steps to cover the furniture with wax.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- Wax gradually wears off and oxidizes over time, which is why you have to reapply it.

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the best way to apply furniture wax?

William & Shannon Latil
Furniture Refinishing & Home Remodeling Specialists
William & Shannon Latil are Furniture Refinishing & Home Remodeling Specialists and the Founders of Furniture Refinishing Services based in Houston, Texas. With over 30 years of experience, William and Shannon specialize in repairing and restoring wood furniture, refinishing kitchen cabinets, remodeling kitchens, and building live-edge wooden tables. William and Shannon have won Awards for Excellence from the Better Business Bureau and the Houston Chronicle Best Small Business Award. Their work has also been featured in Houston Press Magazine - Kitchen Design. Additionally, the Furniture Refinishing Services team has conducted major refinishing work on venues such as NRG Stadium and Minute Maid Park.

William & Shannon Latil

Furniture Refinishing & Home Remodeling Specialists

Expert Answer

There are numerous ways to wax furniture, but the easiest one is to apply a tub of furniture wax with a clean rag and buff it afterwards.
Question

How do I get the dried wax out of the grain in the wood?

Community Answer

It depends on the whether the surface of the wood has been sealed with a polish or if it is bare wood. Also I'm assuming you are referring to old wax furniture polish as opposed to candle wax. 1) Try this on a small area first. On an unbroken sealed surface, pour a little white spirit (mineral spirits). Let it soak in a for a minute or two. 2) Using a soft, absorbent cloth with some pressure, wipe the area in the direction of the grain. You may need to repeat this procedure several times. Do not do this on a broken or cracked finish as the white spirit will creep under the surface.
Question

Should I use a clear sealant on top of the beeswax to prevent water damage on a window sill next to a sink?

Community Answer

No. Wax by its nature is waterproof and provides sealing properties, protecting the wood. If the wax layer becomes waterstained, you may be able to apply a small amount of wax to the affected spot and buff out as per the instructions above. Also, it may be difficult to find a product that sits well on top of wax without damaging it.

Warnings

Avoid using wax on tables that get a lot of use or exposure to water since the wax will wear off quickly or stain the table.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
If you choose a paste wax that contains flammable solvents, store the rag you used to apply the paste in a metal container. Then, follow your local disposable guidelines for flammable and combustible materials.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1