Generally, with soot you'll want to act quickly, the last thing we want is for the soot to settle in and cause a stain, it's easier to clean things up as and when they happen. A damp cloth with a little bit of hot soapy water will do the trick here... But what if the soot has already stained?

One of the best ways to remove candle soot and wax from your countertops is by using a hairdryer. Set your hairdryer on the low setting and hold it about six inches away from the soot or wax. The heat will cause the soot or wax to melt and you can then wipe it away with a damp cloth.

First, try using a dry cloth to wipe away as much soot as possible. If that doesn't work, you can use a slightly dampened cloth and some gentle dish soap. Rub the area in a circular motion until the soot comes off.

If you're really struggling to remove candle soot

If this isn't quite cutting it we recommend using a little bit of degreaser, or if you haven't got that a very small amount of oven cleaner, mix (check the label) it with some warm water and let it soak for 10 - 15 minutes. The degreaser will eat away at the soot/wax residue and you'll be able to wipe it away easily and cleanly with a damp cloth.

If you have any tough-to-reach areas, or if the degreaser isn't doing the trick, you can always use a Mr Clean Magic Eraser. These erasers are brilliant at removing all sorts of stains and marks from all sorts of surfaces.

Our thoughts

Messes happen, it's a frustrating issue but a common part, having a decent stock of cleaning products will help you to nip it in the bud as soon as possible. If you have any other tips or tricks on the best ways to get rid of candle soot and wax from your countertops, be sure to share them with us in the comments below!