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Jubilee kitchen wax — aka Johnson’s wax — is back!

pam kueber - Updated: June 15, 2021

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

jubilee
Jubilee kitchen wax — is back. I received the news this morning. (Doesn’t this bottle look so pretty at the top of our homepage?) Here’s the scoop, so far:

The consumer sales representative for Malco, Products, Inc. wrote me:

We just licensed Jubilee® Kitchen Wax from SC Johnson and have it available on our website. I was hoping that you might be able to write about the product relaunch so consumers know they can find it now. 

Update 2018, I see it’s now on Amazon, click here (note, links to Amazon may earn me a commission if you buy anything):

I know that this was a very popular wax back in the day. I think that readers have brought it up before as a product they’d like to see back on the market. Here’s what Malco’s website say Jubilee can be used for:

Jubilee is an easy-to-use liquid furniture wax made especially for protecting while cleaning appliances, Formica laminated plastic, ceramic tile, enamel and wood.

Jubilee cannot scratch, never dulls, is stain resistant and puts down a tough, hard shine that protects surfaces while making spills easier to wipe clean. Jubilee removes: grease spots, soot, lipstick, food stains, crayon, fingerprints and yellow cooking films.

I asked the Malco rep right away, “Is it the same formulation as in the way-back-time-machine days?” She quickly replied:

As far as the formula goes, it is the original formula but we did have to change one raw material that was no longer available and made the product VOC complaint. We also re launched the product Grease Relief last year just FYI!  It is available on our website, Amazon and other online stores.

And look closely at the label in the lead photo on this story: “Fatal if swallowed.” READERS, NOTE!
Disclaimer: Here on the blog, as homeowners ourselves, we may try new cleaning products aimed at solving our own cleaning problems; if we think we’ve found something promising to consider, we may write about it. But, we are not professional chemists or engineers or home economists. So, please: Do your own research into these products and their suitability for your projects before trying them. More info in Terms of Service.
And on Amazon here or:

 

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290 comments

Comments

  1. Jim says

    It also worked great on the banana seat of my Stingray bicycle! I was able to slide much better after waxing and that enhanced the cool factor while performing wheelies!

    • Jim says

      Silver glitter banana seat on my blue Stingray…thanks for remembering the coordinating (ridged) handlebar grips! After a good seat waxing, I used a shoeshine brush or old toothbrush to remove any dried wax residue lurking in the stitching. Guess I had WAY too much time on my hands!

      • pam kueber says

        I had streamers. And we put playing cards on our spokes, attached with laundry pins, as I recall, to make noise. *Has turned into old fart, it’s official now.* These are all just priceless memories to me — I swear I spent YEARS of my childhood riding my bike. Seriously. I would leave the house and come back hours later.

        • MrsW says

          Green glitter banana seat over here, also with the cards attached to the spokes with clothespins. And the big plastic basket on the front with three big plastic flowers on it. 🙂

  2. Mid Century/Mid TN Mom says

    Welcome back Jubilee! My mother and I used it on our kitchen cabinets …. I missed having it. Hopefully it will be in a store before too long. Thanks for telling us about it Pam.

  4. Barbara says

    Of course. Now they bring it back after I bought two “remake” bottles from Vermont Country store. Le sigh…

  5. Jane Thibeault says

    Wow….I soooo remember using Jubilee on everything! My Mom would give me a rag and the bottle and I’d clean everything with it. The SMELL was delicious!!

  6. Nate says

    Ceraic tile? Does this mean there’s a product I can use in the shower to help keep soap scum off of my tile and out of my grout? Sign me up for a case…or two! 😀

    • Janice says

      I agee with you Nate. I would buy a whole case if it keeps my ceramic tile and grout spiffy clean!

    • Nate says

      If anyone is seriously interested in trying it out, I’m really considering buying a couple of cases. I could post it on the classifieds (or blog) and sell by the bottle (with no mark-up for my RetroReno friends, of course). Anyone think that’s a good/legitamate idea?

      • nina462 says

        I would certainly buy a couple bottles from you. It’ll take a couple bottles to redo my house 😉

          • Suzi says

            Awesome! Just been talking to my mother about how much I missed Jubilee — nothing beats it in the kitchen for keeping those laminate countertops clean and shiny. Yea! Thanks for the good news.

            Suzi

      • Nancy says

        I would love a couple bottles if you do this. I’ve been whining about not being able to get Jubilee for ten years now. I hope it works like the original, I used it on everything!

  7. Jay says

    Interesting! I remember this product from childhood. Vermont Country Store currently offers a similar item, 16 oz for $10. Today, I think everyone is accustomed to spray bottles and aerosol cans for cleaning products.

    • Jay says

      Pam, can you clarify the last part of the post about Jubilee and laminate, yes it likes or no, it doesn’t.

  8. Eartha Kitsch says

    Love to see the old products coming back! The representative mentions that it VOC law compliant. I wonder if they can also tell us if it’s nontoxic for pet paws? Have they tested it for toxin levels? Would love to know. Thanks!

  9. Nancy says

    Happy to have it back. I used up my last can a while back. I liked it in the liquid (vs. spray) bottle best. We always used it on our enamel appliances when I was a kid and I like to use it on my sewing machines. I also like it to clean and shine my Tech-line office furniture.

  10. Janet in CT says

    I don’t remember my mother using Jubilee but we used to sell some products that were similar, such as Magi-Care, made in Winthrop, Mass. I even have a bottle frome them for stainless steel, to use on toasters and waffle irons, etc. My mother DID use glass wax, which I don’t think is made any more either. I actually have an almost full glass bottle of the original Jubilee which I got out of a house we were renting. I was thrilled to find it left behind!

    • Cheryl says

      I just received the new Jubilee Wax. excitedly, I opened up the box and grabbed a bottle so I could use it on my tired 1960 Formica countertops.
      The countertops look absolutely terrific, but I don’t remember the fragrance being quite so strong in a weird chemical kind of way. I’m thinking that I will need to use it when I have the windows open! I’d love to hear from others who try the new Jubilee—-let me know if it has changed or if my memory is faulty!

      • Leslie says

        I haven’t smelled the new version but I have strong memories of the strong smell of the original. My father loved the stuff and used it everywhere. No matter where I was in our homes, I could always smell the wax as soon as he opened it. Given that they have had to make some changes in the ingredients, the smell may just be different but, believe me, the original smell was strong, although not unpleasant.