No home is complete without a smattering of flickering candles. But, with so many wonderful aromas and beautiful jars, it’s impossible to choose just one.
Candles not only provide a cozy light, but the right holder may also add visual interest and unify the design of an entire room. Even if you don’t plan on using the wax in any other way, learning how to get wax out of candle jar is an essential skill for any DIYer.
So, you spent a lot of money on a candle, thinking you’d repurpose the jar when it burnt out, only to be left with a sticky mess. Instead, those wax-coated containers can be turned into vases and catchalls for treasures.
Where does the excess wax go when the candle has burned out and you’re left with just a quarter-inch? The problematic element of repurposing these containers is figuring out how to clean candle jars that aren’t sloppy or unsafe.
To repurpose used candle jars, learn how to remove the wax from any shape or size jar. You only need a kitchen and a little patience—neither of which requires a lot of resources.
Table of Contents
How To Get Wax Out of Candle Jar?
Soft wax can be dispensed using a spoon
As far as techniques are concerned, it depends on the wax you use. Using a more pliable candle blend, such as soy, the task may not be too challenging. Scoop out the residual wax with a spoon and scrape the jar, and you’ll have a perfectly clean wax-free container in no time.
Boiling water can be used to remove wax from a surface
If you use this method, you’ll need to cover your countertop or table from wax splatters. Then, start probing the wax with a sharp knife and cutting tiny slits and slices into it. The liquid will have cooled, and the wax will have solidified after a few hours. This time, the wax will be sitting on the water’s surface, making it easier for you to scrape it off.
How to Clean Candle Jars?
- Aluminum foil or several layers of parchment paper can be used to line a rimmed baking pan in the oven at 180°F. Set the pan in the range with the candles facing up. About 15 minutes later, the wax will be completely melted. Make sure the surface you’re placing the pan on is safe to heat. Use a potholder or a towel to keep the container steady as you clean the inside. Clean the container with soapy water after it has cooled down.
- When you’re ready to light the candle, place it in an oven-safe pot or dish. Using a pot, fill it with boiling water, ensuring sure the water doesn’t enter the jar of the candle. Allow the jar to rest in hot water for a few minutes until the wax is pliable. Using a butter knife, remove the wax from the pot while holding it in one hand. Pop the melted candle wax out of the jar and then wash it with soap and water.
- Fill your candle halfway with water and heat for one minute and a half, at most two minutes, in a microwave oven. Your candle wax will melt and rise to the water’s surface, obscuring the view. Allow the glass and wax to cool, then use a teaspoon or butter knife to remove the leftover wax quickly. While the candle is in the microwave, keep an eye on it since some wicks contain a metallic wick catcher that could catch fire.
- Depending on your inclination, you can use a hairdryer or a heat gun to dissolve the residual wax in the candle. Ensure the candle is on a heat-resistant surface and that the tag doesn’t get burned. The wax can be removed with a paper towel once it has dissolved.
How to Reuse Candle Jars?
Several Ways to Reuse Candle Jars:
- Keep your jewelry, hair accessories, and lipstick organized in an empty glass on your bathroom vanity or in the bathroom itself. It will keep everything in order and eliminate the problem of missing earrings.
- For those trendy ceramic bowls you see in celebrity chefs’ kitchens, you don’t have to go far. You can repurpose shallow or small candle jars by storing spice in them or by using them to sort ingredients while cooking.
- Fill a few empty candle jars with coiled fairy light strings and hang them from your window. If you’re having a romantic supper for two or a family movie night at home, you’ll be able to set the tone with a simple flick of a switch.
- However, you’ve already approved the usage of those jars as candle holders; why not reuse them as succulent containers? With multiple candles of the same type, they’ll all match precisely.
More articles about candle you may interest:
How To DIY Candle At Home For Beginners?
How to Get Candle Wax Out of Clothes?