You’ve burned through your candles, and now you’re left with nice jars to reuse, but there’s a problem.
The jars are messy with leftover wax.
Below you’ll learn simple methods to remove the wax and bring new life to your candle jars.
What Is the Fastest Way to Clean a Candle Jar?
The fastest way to remove wax from a candle jar will depend on how much wax you need to remove.
For small amounts, go with the heat gun. It’s simple to use and will melt the wax quickly.
For larger amounts, go with the double boiler. The double boiler acts like a steamer for the wax and will soften and melt the wax in minutes.
Whichever method you choose, always take caution when handling hot melted wax. Protect your hands and the area around your workspace.
How to Clean Candle Jars with Boiling Water
1. Boil water
2. Carefully pour the boiling water into the candle jar. Avoid filling to the very top of the jar to make handling easier.
3. The wax will rise to the top of the water. Allow the wax and water to cool for 2-3 hours.
4. Once cooled, the top layer of wax will solidify, which you can easily remove.
5. Repeat this process until all the wax is removed.
6. Once all the wax is removed, use a spoon to remove the metal wick tabs.
7. Wash the jar with soap and water to remove any residue.
How to Remove Wax from a Candle Jar Using the Double Boiler Method
1. Put a layer of water into a saucepan. You don’t want the water to go into the candle, so you’ll likely only need a couple of inches of water.
2. Place the jar into the water in the saucepan. If the jar is floating, place a towel in the saucepan to prevent the jar from moving.
3. Bring the water to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. You don’t need a vigorous boil. Steady heat will be more than enough to melt the wax.
4. After the wax has melted, pour the melted wax into another container lined with aluminum foil. Take CAUTION handling hot wax! Use oven mitts to protect your hands.
5. The wax will harden on the foil and can be easily discarded. Never pour wax down the sink, which can clog your drain.
6. Remove any wick tabs and wash the jar with soap and water.
How to Remove Wax from a Candle Jar Using a Freezer
Ensure the container is at room temperature before placing it in the freezer. If you place a hot container in the freezer, the extreme temperature change can compromise or even break your jar.
Avoid using the freezer if you must remove more than a couple of inches of wax.
1. Place and leave your candle jar in the freezer overnight. The wax will shrink when it freezes, making it easy to remove.
2. The following day, use a butter knife to loosen and remove the wax.
3. Remove the wick tabs and wash the container with soap and water. Remember to avoid extreme temperature changes, so wait until the jar has returned to room temperature before using hot water to clean it.
How to Remove Wax from a Candle Jar with a Heat Gun
1. Set the heat gun to the lowest setting.
2. Run the heat gun over the wax in a circular motion until the wax has softened.
3. Use a spoon or knife to remove the wax.
How to Remove Wax from a Candle Jar with an Oven
Remove any labels or décor on the container before placing it in the oven.
1. Preheat oven to 200°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
3. Place your container upside down on the foil.
4. Place the baking sheet in the oven. It should take 10-20 minutes for the wax to melt and pool onto the foil.
5. Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. With oven mitts, remove the jars and leave the pooled wax on the foil until it hardens.
6. You can discard the foil or easily remove the wax from the foil and save it for another use.