10 Best Wood Wax in 2024 – Protect Your Furniture Properly

Even though most human civilizations moved out of the forests a long time ago, we still seem to very much enjoy wood. There is something about its color, its texture, its smell, that spells “home” to us.

As a result, many people still surround themselves with wooden objects and furniture, from small figurines to huge bookcases. The problem arises when the said wood starts withering and losing color. What to do then? Many products can solve that issue, but none as quickly and better than wax.

That’s when we do our job. We’ll make sure you get your hands on the best furniture wax. Stay with us and we will answer every question you have!

Benefits of Using Wax in Your Wood Furniture

Even though there are countless modern products with which to treat wood, woodworkers still resort to good old wax. Why? Let’s take a look.

1. Easy Application and Re-Application

Mr. Miyagi clearly summed up the process of waxing when teaching Daniel-san: wax on, wax off. We are going to use different terms and add two extra steps, but the procedure is still pretty straightforward: clean, wax, wait, buff.

That is all it takes for you to give your wood furniture an unblemished finish, whether it is the first application or a touch-up.

2. Protection Against Airborne Particles

The waxes for wood prevent the accumulation of dirt and other almost invisible elements on your furniture. It is more convenient than dusting them off every day or so.

3. Mild Protection Against Water

While it isn’t waterproof, wax does stop liquids from immediately soaking the wood. That gives you enough time to take care of things right after a spill.

4. Natural Finish

Unlike newer products, wax does not change the color of wood items. On the contrary, it delivers a polished look that brings out wood’s natural beauty.

Furthermore, when used after lacquer, shellac or varnish, it fills little cavities and minor imperfections. That way, light shines evenly on every part of the wooden surface.

10 Best Wood Wax for Your Wooden Furniture

We have bad news and good news for you.

Bad news is that there is a myriad of waxes for wood available, each of them with its exclusive benefits. How to know which one is right for what you have in mind?

That’s our good news! Here is a list of the ten best waxes out in the market, today. We have made the hard work for you to just read and choose.

1. Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Polish | Best Wax for Antique Wood Furniture

Check Current Price

Looking for the good wax for antique wood furniture? Let’s start with a product that’s truly like no other. This is not a marketing strategy, you will see it for yourself.

Developed by the British Museum Research Laboratory in the late 1950s, Renaissance Micro-Crystalline Wax Polish has been mostly used by restoration professionals to conserve museum exhibits. It is only since 2014 that it has reached homes like yours.

This review could certainly end here and you would still get the gist of how good it is. Let’s go over its most impressive features.

Unlike other waxes, this one does not contain acid nor becomes acidic with time. That is why restorers appreciate it so much: it does not alter the chemistry of the materials it is applied to. Think of what it can do on your wood furniture in the long run!

Such a feature also guarantees that this wax won’t lose its color nor decolorate what is underneath. We are sure you put a lot of thought matching the colors in your décor, and it would be a shame to let that go to waste.

Trust Renaissance Wax Polish to seal every crack while enhancing the finest, natural details of wood. You can apply it on top of any finish and it will provide the silkiest of sheens. If you are working on a hardwood, you can even forget about a sealer. It will perform even without one!

Take into account that 200 mL of wax cover 90 square feet. However, it doesn’t matter if you get too much, because it can be stored for years without losing its properties.

Highlighted Features:

• Brings a museum-like quality to your home
• Contains an acid free formula
• Can be stored for years without losing its properties
• Does not lose color nor decolorates the underlying surface
• Can be applied on hardwoods without a sealer

2. Howard Products Feed-N-Wax Wood Polish & Conditioner

Check Current Price

The pursuit of innovation behind Howard Products is out of the question. It started in 1969 when Douglas H. Howard sought to eliminate imperfections in wood finishes without actually removing those finishes.

What did he come up with? A product called Restore-A-Finish, well-known to woodworkers today. Can you call it one of the good wax for wood furniture? Well, that’s something for you to decide.

Luckily for you, he didn’t stop there. He went on to create the next item on our list: Howard Products Feed-N-Wax.

Apart from each feature, this company’s innovative minds added mineral and orange oils to the blend. What for? It allows this product to “feed” the wood. Let that soak in.

Sorry, that pun was intended. That’s exactly what these conditioning oils do: they soak up the wood to protect it from within. On top of them, good old beeswax and Carnauba wax take care of providing your furniture a polished luster.

It is a simple yet brilliant idea. What “feeding” does is mimicking the way trees themselves take care of wood in nature. Using resins and natural oils of their own, trees surround wood with the right amount of moisture to grow tall and healthy.

Just picture what this product can do for faded wood finishes around your home. A coat of Feed-N-Wax followed by a thorough buff is all it takes for your wooden furniture to look fresh again.

Highlighted Features:

• First ever wood “feeder”
• Mimics the natural moisture wood is kept in when on trees
• Its blend features two kinds of waxes and two kinds of oils
• To use on finished and unfinished woods
• Provides protection and luster at the same time

3. Minwax 785004444 Paste Finishing Wax

Check Current Price

Let me show you how some accidents can make everyone’s life better.

Arthur B. Harrison, founder of Minwax, was commissioned to create a product that would keep Cleopatra’s Needle, the stone Egyptian obelisk in Central Park, from deteriorating. He came up with the liquid formula of what is now Minwax Paste Finishing Wax.

While applying the preparation to the monument, though, workers noticed that the spills embellished the wood scaffold. Fast forward to more than a hundred years later, and you can get that same blend to beautify every wooden surface in your home!

Minwax’s product brings the best out of any woodwork strong enough not to need a more protective coat like polyurethane. And yet, unlike PU, this wax does not tint wood. On the contrary, it delivers a perfect sheen: not too shiny, but with an unblemished look.

That makes it ideal for sealing your chalk paint projects. It adds a beautiful, natural luster to the matte finish.

In that case, as with any wood with a previous finish, you would only need a single coat of wax. Due to its fast-drying capacity, it will be ready for the final buff in less than 15 minutes.

Take into account that raw wood will require at least two coats. One for deep protection and another for a unique gleam.

Want to know the best part? For a very convenient price, you get a lot of product. We are talking about one whole pound of superior, woodworkers’ approved wax!

Highlighted Features:

• Perfect for sealing chalk paint projects
• Delivers just the right amount of sheen
• You don’t need to wait long before buffing
• Needs a single coat if the wood has a previous finish
• You get a lot of product at a very convenient price

4. Daddy Van’s All Natural Beeswax Furniture Polish

Check Current Price

Some of us want the companies we buy from to provide more than just good quality products. We want them to care. If that is your case too, you will be amazed by Daddy Van’s record.

The United States Department of Agriculture has certified that all of their products are 100% biobased. Even more, to ensure they meet all safety requirements, they undergo impartial third-party testing.

That means they are non-toxic and absolutely free of dangerous chemicals like VOCs. Hence, their food safe blend can be applied all around the kitchen, on baby cribs, wooden toys, and more!

Furthermore, Daddy Van’s is a recipient of the Green America Gold Seal of Approval. Such an honor is awarded to businesses that help creating a socially just and sustainable society.

Made only from unrefined beeswax, Carnauba wax, and natural emollients, this item does not require artificial solvents or petroleum byproducts to give your wood furniture a rejuvenating, healthy-looking glow. And it also works great on metallic surfaces, shielding them off from rust!

Its natural conditioning and preservative features make it an ideal complement to environmentally-friendly milk paint. But it does not stop there! The ultra-matte look of chalk painted projects benefits too from the soft sheen of this wax polish.

Let’s not forget its outstanding coverage. A 6 oz tin has enough wax for the furniture and cabinetry in your whole house.

Plus, it comes in three options: Unscented, Beeswax & Lavender, and Sweet Orange Oil.

Highlighted Features:

• Absolutely free of harmful chemicals!
• Ideal for protecting environmentally-friendly milk paint
• A 6 oz tin has enough product for your whole furniture and cabinetry
• Tested by a third party to ensure compliance with safety requirements
• Also shields off metallic surfaces

5. Touch of Oranges Beeswax Wood Furniture Polish and Conditioner

Check Current Price

With less than 40 years in the industry of waxes for wood, you may say that Touch of Oranges is a pretty novel brand. However, its interest in the past is beyond compare.

What do we mean? We are talking about the company’s Beeswax Wood Furniture Polish and Conditioner. Its preparation is especially effective when restoring wood antiques to their original beauty. Given the time, it will soak up both finished and unfinished surfaces to rejuvenate them.

Don’t worry about them being water or sun damaged! This slightly liquid paste wax can penetrate each wood pore up to a ¼ inch to protect it from the inside out and provide a shine few products can offer.

And it does it with only three natural ingredients, all of them children and pet friendly: beeswax, Carnauba wax, and orange oil. This last one, among the best natural cleaning agents, will also keep wooden items in your home from drying out.

Such an organic composition turns Touch of Oranges Polish into a safer alternative to chemical-based finishes like varnish and lacquer. Isn’t it a relief? You are now able to recondition those faded surfaces without it putting a toll on your health.

And as good as it is for old wood, it works on new projects too. Plenty of woodworkers use it to put a professional gleam on their craftsmanship.

It comes in 16 and 64 oz presentations.

Highlighted Features:

• Especially helpful with wood antiques
• A natural alternative to chemical based finishes like varnish
• Suitable for both home and professional uses
• When left overnight, penetrates wood surfaces up to ¼ inch
• Contains orange oil, a natural cleaning agent

6. Feeke Multipurpose Wood Seasoning Beewax

Check Current Price

Here is an idea so simple that it has become a unique approach in the wax industry. Why shouldn’t a company look back to the origins instead of chemically creating new blends and formulas? If beeswax delivers, what is the point of diluting its properties by adding artificial components?

Our ancestors all around the world treated their wood creations directly with beeswax because of its numerous qualities. Now you can too, with Feeke Multipurpose Wood Seasoning Beewax.

Applying it every once a while on your furniture protects it from moisture damage. That also means you won’t have to deal with mold and mildew, which appear in humid settings.

There is a big surprise waiting for you after buffing a single coat of this product. Years of accumulated dirt , grease, and grime will disappear before your eyes in seconds, leaving instead a perfectly polished look.

Your furniture is old so that it has started to crack? Feeke’s wax dampens it to strengthen wood from the inside. This way it will be able to stand the passing of time.

Another great feature is its fresh honey scent. It is so subtle that it won’t attract insects, but it will definitely energize your home’s atmosphere.

One last piece of advice! Sand the wood before putting on this wax. It doesn’t mean it won’t work on raw wood, though it truly stands out over smooth surfaces.

You were in search of the best furniture paste wax, right? Well, take a journey back to the roots and enjoy the natural power of unadulterated beeswax.

Highlighted Features:

• As natural as it comes: just beeswax and mineral oil!
• Leaves behind a subtle honey scent
• Protects your wood projects against moisture and mildew
• A single application cleans years of accumulated dirt
• Dampens your timber to prevent cracking

7. Howard Products CS0014 Citrus Shield Paste Wax

Check Current Price

Still looking for the best furniture wax? Moving down in our list we find yet another exceptional wax by the innovative company Howard Products. Now they come to us with a solid paste wax that stands on its own as a conditioner and color enhancer for every piece of wood furniture in your home.

Comparing this CS0014 Citrus Shield with the Feed-N-Wax Polish we reviewed as item number 2, we see a couple of major differences.

First of all, the focus here is on Carnauba wax, the hardest natural wax in the world, rather than on oils. That gives this product a much more solid aspect, with the advantages it brings. Whereas liquid wax is easier to put on, solid pastes are better at cleaning and smoothing uneven surfaces.

Another highlight feature: the Citrus Shield contains surfactants. Why would you need those? Because they repel water. That way, while it won’t make your furniture waterproof, this wax will offer more protection against liquids than the average product.

One thing, though. Those same surfactants make the wax not food-safe, so be careful.

Apart from providing a long-lasting shiny patina, this paste focuses on UV protection. Such a feature allows it to shield your wood’s color from sun damage. That means it is perfect for wooden patio furniture, built to stay outside and resist the elements.

You probably heard that wax should not be used on painted surfaces, right? Not the case this time! Don’t be shy and buff wood with previous finishes, as well as marble, metal, and even concrete.

Because Howard Products is aware that not every piece of wood in your décor features the same hue, the Citrus Shield comes in five different colors: Neutral, Golden Oak, Walnut, Mahogany, and Dark Oak.

Highlighted Features:

• Made from the hardest natural wax on the planet
• Shields your wood’s color with UV protection
• Can be used on painted surfaces
• Features a wide variety of colors
• Contains surfactants that repel water

8. Trewax Clear Beaumont 197101016 | Best Paste Wax for Wood Furniture

Check Current Price

As a key provider of waxes for wood and other protection products for more than 80 years, one should at least listen to what Trewax has to offer. No company can survive in such a competitive market without the confidence of its users.

And Trewax Paste Wax lives up to the hype! Not only does it resuscitate the long lost shine of your wood furniture and floors, but it does so with minimal effort from your end of the deal. Just apply it, wait for a little while, and buff. It dries in no time, so that waiting should not take long.

While scratches and accumulated dirt disappear from your surfaces as if by magic, what definitely stays behind is a non-slip clear shine. Isn’t that what you are looking for? But wait, there is more!

Why just give your wooden items a treat? Try it on a huge number of materials: cork, granite, marble, bronze… Give every portion of your décor the luster it deserves. At the same time, you will be ensuring for it a long-lasting protection.

And we have one last surprise for you. How do we know Trewax’s has what it takes to be the best paste wax for woodworking? Well, apart from protecting wood, you can apply it on the very tools you use for woodwork and it will preserve them too!

As a huge bonus, you get coverage, amazing coverage indeed. A 12.35 oz tin of Trewax covers around 800 square feet.

Highlighted Features:

• Provides amazing coverage
• Suitable for a huge number of materials besides wood
• Dries in to time!
• Leaves behind a non-slip gleam finish
• Also protects the tools used for woodwork

9. SC Johnson Paste Wax

Check Current Price

Almost 150 years away from its foundation, I think it is safe to say that SC Johnson is a company that has built a reputation for itself. It offers a massive number of products, all above par. No brand can endure for so long without catering to the needs of its clients.

As we reach the end of our ranking, we introduce SC Johnson Paste Wax, an item that adds to the list of superior products manufactured by this company. Let’s take a look at its features to see if it deserves to be the best wax for wood furniture.

Like every wood wax we have reviewed, SC Johnson’s makes your surfaces shine again like new. At the same time, it bestows on them an enduring shield against dirt and stickiness.

How does it stand out, then? Well, for starters, have you seen how wax builds up over time, layer after layer? This blend is the perfect solution for that! It mixes with old wax finishes and prevents them from accumulating.

Apply a generous coat, let it dry for a few minutes until it looks foggy, and it is ready for buffing!

Try it on your wooden floors using an electric polisher. Trust me. You have never seen anything like this.

If you live up north, you know that the salt used to make ice and snow thaw can destroy your wooden surfaces little by little. Well, this wax goes beyond water and UV protection to help you renew those salt damaged doors and floors.

Just a minor drawback. SC Johnson Paste Wax only works on sealed wood surfaces. If you want to apply it on untreated wood, make sure you coat it with a primer first.

Highlighted Features:

• Ideal for polishing wooden floors
• Mixes with old wax finishes and prevents them from accumulating
• Dries to a haze in a few minutes and is ready for buffing!
• Protects wood surfaces from salt damage
• It even works on plastic!

10. Simoniz Ultra Line 33 Floor Finish & Sealer

Check Current Price

We are going to close our list with yet another brand that is over a hundred years old.

Simoniz was founded in 1911 as the first American car wax company. However, somewhere along the way they widened their range to also produce waxes for wood. Lucky us!

Based on their knowledge, they bring to the table the best of both worlds. We are talking about Simoniz Ultra Line 33, a product that combines the best qualities of waxes with the protection that only a sealant can provide. Treat your wooden floors with the same love that you treat your car with!

Do you want your wood to shine like no others? It’s your lucky day! With this wax, you get complete control over the amount of gleam in your finish. Just go with this rule of thumb: with each coat, the glossier your floors will look.

On top of that, its exclusive polymer technology keeps your wood shining for a longer time than any other product. That is the magic of applying a wax with the best features of a sealant!

Not every floor in your home is made of wood? Don’t worry, this wax’s versatility has no match. Vinyl, stone, linoleum, concrete, tiles…; they all come under its spell!

To make it even better, one single gallon of Simoniz Floor Finish & Sealer covers up to 2,000 square feet. And you can get it as a 4-pack to save even more.

Highlighted Features:

• Merges the qualities of both waxes and sealers
• Its patented polymer technology preserves the gleam for a longer time
• Gives floors a glossier finish than any other product
• Suitable for use on multiple surfaces
• Astounding coverage!

Comparison Chart of Top 10 furniture wax

Wood Furniture Wax Buying Guide

How can you make sure you are getting the best furniture wax for your needs? What are the main features you have to take into account? Tag along to find out!

Size and Coverage – How Much do You Get for That Price?

These are two characteristics that are closely related to one another. You need to consider them together but at the same time realize they don’t mean the same thing.

The size of the bottle (for liquid waxes) or tin (for solid ones) is clearly stipulated in its front label. It gives you information about the amount of wax, be it its volume or its weight.

Instead, coverage refers to the total area a product will cover. Because a solid wax does not penetrate that deep into the wood, it will cover a bigger surface than the same amount of liquid wax.

Food Safety – Can You Eat Off of It?

If you are planning on giving a new coat of wax to the wooden furniture in your kitchen or dining room, pay close attention to this. Some waxes contain chemicals that can pose a threat to your health.

Most of them evaporate after a few days, as part of the wax’s “curing”. Nonetheless, you should avoid using such products on surfaces that are in contact with your food, e.g., cupboards or dining room tables.

For those, you should be better off using a food safe wax.

Finish – How will it Look Like?

Before deciding on one of the products we have seen, make sure you know what you want your furniture to look like in the end. Are you in search of the shiniest of gleams? Do you want a rather opaque sheen?

Each wax cures to a different style, depending on its components and on the wood’s previous finishes.

Versatility – How Much Use Can You Give It?

If you’ve got the best wood wax, it means you can also apply it on materials that are not wood. That sounded strange, right? It isn’t, trust me.

There are probably many different materials in your home’s décor: marble, stone, concrete… And then, of course, wood.

Wouldn’t you want a wax that could be used in all of them? Such a product would definitely save you time and money.

Applicability – Where can You Put It On?

And finally, take a look at the wax’s instructions regarding the kind of wood it can be applied on.

Does it work on hardwoods as well as on softwoods? Is it only suitable for sealed wood?

Untreated timber usually takes some extra coats, because the wax needs to soak the wood up to deliver its best features.

Wood Wax vs. Wood Oil: Which One to Choose?

In the end, it comes down to taste, but there are a couple of things to be said.

Because oil penetrates deeper into the wood, it supposedly brings out its color. It doesn’t offer much protection, though.

On the other hand, wax stays on top as a barrier to preserve the wood. That way, dirt and stains can’t blemish it.

However, many of the waxes we showed you are enhanced with a bit of oil, so there’s a win-win situation!

Top 4 Furniture Wax Brands in the Market

With the vast number of brands in the wood wax industry, we thought it important to give you a heads up. We will point to the best companies out there, based on their most prominent characteristic.

1. SC Johnson

You’ve got to give it to this New Jersey-based family company: everything they do, they do right. From food storage and shoe care to scents and house cleaning, their products have always met the highest standards.

And their furniture wax is no different. It’s easy to apply, fast-drying, and leaves an amazing finish. All of that, backed by a brand you know and trust.

2. Howard Products

The key concept behind this US-native company is innovation, and it has been going on for more than half a century.

In 1969, Douglas H. Howard created Restor-A-Finish, his brand’s “flagship” product, to treat wood with different finishes. Some years later, Howard Products sought to protect wood from the inside out, and invented the world’s first wood “feeder”.

3. Minwax

From 1904 on, this Brooklyn-based company has been solving construction-related problems left and right. Because of their marvelous waterproofing formula, they were commissioned to take care of the Egyptian monument in Central Park.

Later on, Minwax’s chemists focused their expertise on helping people give new life to their wood furniture. This is how they gave birth to unique blends that now embellish a lot of American homes.

4. Renaissance

Renaissance Wax is one of the best kept secrets in woodworking. As a brand, it is relatively new. However, the product’s origins go back to the British Museum Research Laboratory in the late 1950s.

Curators there used this wax to preserve historic items made of metal, marble, and wood. It has been available for the public since 2014, when it started being mass-produced by Picreator Enterprises.

Common Questions and Answers

1. Can Wood Wax Be Used to Cover Rust?

Ans: Actually, what you want to do first is to remove the rust. Then you can coat the material with wax so it doesn’t rust again.

2. Will These Products Work on My Patio Furniture?

Ans: Sure, though you may need to wax your patio furniture more often than you would wax, for instance, a wooden chair inside your home.

3. What is the Best Way of Removing Oil Off My Surfaces So I Can Put on Wax Instead?

Ans: Just wipe the oil off with a cloth made of cotton or microfiber. Don’t use solvents. They may damage your surfaces.

4. Do I Need A Brush to Apply Wax on My Wood Furniture?

Ans: Brushes may leave scratches on your wood surfaces. Use a soft cloth instead.

5. How Often do I Need to Put On an Extra Coat Of Wax to My Wooden Items?

Ans: It depends on how dry it gets down where you live. If it is too dry, once every two months would be great. Otherwise, once every three or four months.

6. Can Liquid Waxes Be Used As Lubricants?

Ans: No matter how liquid a wax may seem, it will eventually harden. So no, wax is actually the opposite of lubricant in the long run.

7. Can You Apply A Finish on Top Of Wax? For Instance, Something to Waterproof It?

Ans: No. Any finishes, such as sealants for waterproofing, should be applied beforehand. Wax always needs to be the last layer.

8. Will Products Made Out of Beeswax Attract Bees?

Ans: Luckily no. While it is true that bees produce beeswax, they are not attracted to it, but rather to pollen.

9. Is Wax Effective Against Termites?

Ans: Unfortunately no. If you have that kind of problem, you should call a local pest control company.

Final Words

It is obvious that for wood to look amazing, you must take good care of it. And, as we have shown you, there is no product on earth better at that than good old wax.

Just follow Mr. Miyagi’s advice: wax on, wax off. As simple as that.

You will be amazed at how fast a couple of coats of the this wax can rejuvenate your tired and musty wooden surfaces! It may not be the best wood wax, but it certainly is one of the bests.

Recommended To Read:

1. Choose right Teak Sealers for outdoor furniture