Everyone knows that having a cosy movie night at home or a romantic date could not be complete without fancy candles. It sets and softens the mood, helps you relax and gives great vibes.
Candles are great but the problem I face after testing candles and buying candles to assess the competition is how to get the leftover wax out of the jar, it's a real pain, but don't worry I've got you! I like to try and save the jars to reuse them and I'll explain what we can do with leftover candle jars later.
But to enjoy the beauty of the candles as safely as we can, we should always clean the jar in order to use it safely as well as to reuse it. But how can we remove the wax after the wick has been burned out? We can save our favourite candle jar with a few easy tricks.
The Quick Answer for removing candle wax
Hot water, it's simple, most of the candles I buy are soy wax and the candles I make are soy wax which is biodegradable and simple hot water will remove the left of candle wax from the jar easily.
- Boil some water, I'd use the kettle as it's super quick.
- Fill the candle jar half way, make sure it's enough to cover the candle wax because of science the wax (fat) will rise to the top and we can skim it.
- Let the jar cool and the wax on top will solidify .
- Simply remove the hardened wax, pour away the water and use some kitchen towel to wipe the glass down and polish it!
- And that's it, you now have a lovely jar to reuse!
Why the candle wax floats to the top using boiling water:
The boiling water will melt the wax and it will float to the top because of differences in their density. Let the water cool and then remove the wax. Strain the water to get rid of any small wax bits, as well as collect any remaining wax and clean with soap and water.
Keep in mind to never pour wax down the drain because it can cause serious blockage in your system. Also, if you feel like experimenting a bit, you can always reuse your leftover wax in the next candles. Obviously, it won’t be good enough quality for selling them, but it is perfect for trying out a new essential oil or dying additive.
Freeze the candle wax
It might sound strange at first, but I promise it works. Cold causes wax to harden and shrink, so it really is making it easier to remove any leftover wax. You should use a butter knife or a spoon if your wax is soft to break up any large chunks of the remaining bits in the container if the jar has a narrow mouth. Place the jar in the freezer for several hours or until it is frozen.
After that you can simply use a butter knife to tense up. The wax should pop right out of the container. Scrape off any residue and then clean the container with soap and warm water. Be careful and remember that the water should not be hot as quick and big temperature differences can crack your jar easily.
Heat them in the oven
This method serves the best if you have several containers to clean at once. It will really be quick and save you some time compared to cleaning them one by one. Scrape out as much wax as you can with a butter knife or spoon. Heat the oven to 180 degrees and line a rimmed baking pan with tinfoil or one or two layers of baking paper. Place the jars upside down on the pan and put the pan in the oven. The wax will melt in about 15 minutes. Remove the pan and place on a heat-safe surface. Hold the container using a towel or pot holder and wipe the inside with a paper towel. Let the container cool down and then clean with soap and water. Remember to allow them to cool as big temperature changes can cause them to crack.
Use a heat gun
A heat gun is perfect for removing wax from glasses or jars. Be prepared with a towel or baking paper to gather all the excess wax. Be aware of the heat, don’t overheat the jars or they can get damaged. The heat gun will quickly melt any leftover wax which can be easily cleaned with the paper towel. It is a quick method if you only have one or two jars to clean. For bigger amounts, it might not be the quickest way though. If you don’t have a heat gun at home, you can use a hairdryer as well. It might sound funny, but it works. However, this method is mostly recommended for a few jars as it might take a bit longer to go through ten-fifteen jars with a hairdryer.
If you're a candle maker and you haven't got a heat gun I thoroughly suggest you buy one and here's why. Why you need a heat gun for candle making...
What to do with the clean jars?
As mentioned before you can make an entirely new candle just by using cleaned-out jars and leftover waxes. Melt wax pieces, preferably ones with similar scents and colors in a microwave-safe dish and heat until the wax is melted. Place and secure a fresh wick in the jar you plan to use and pour the melted wax into the jar. Keep in mind that the quality won’t be the same so it is mostly suggested for trying out new techniques. Also, it is great for home use and not for sale.
Furthermore, you can also use it apart from candle making. If you are not into making candles, you can use them mostly for storage. A pretty candle jar would make a perfect pen holder in your office or home. Alternatively, you can use them to organize your cosmetics and make-up in the bathroom. Lastly, depending on the size of the jar, you might also be able to use it for fresh flowers!
All in all, you can see that cleaning and reusing candle jars is indeed possible. Depending on the number of jars, you can choose the best and most practical method to get the job done. After that, there are several ways of using them in your home or as part of candle making. So stop throwing your candle jars away and start using them smarter!
Frequently asked questions for removing candle wax:
Q: Can I reuse a jar that had a candle in it?
A: Absolutely! With the right methods, you can easily remove leftover candle wax from jars and reuse them for other purposes.
Q: What's the easiest way to remove candle wax from a jar?
A: The easiest method is to use the boiling water method. Simply fill the jar with boiling water until the wax melts and floats to the top. Once the water cools, remove the wax and wash the jar with soap and water.
Q: How do I remove stubborn candle wax stains from a jar?
A: Stubborn stains can be removed with a combination of hot water and dish soap, or by using the freezer method to make the wax brittle and easier to remove.
Q: Can I use a hair dryer to remove candle wax from a jar?
A: Yes, using a hair dryer on high heat can be an effective method for melting the wax and wiping it out with a paper towel.
Q: Can I use the oven to remove candle wax from a jar?
A: Yes, the oven method involves preheating the oven to 150-200°F (66-93°C) and placing the jar on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes until the wax melts. However, be sure to use oven mitts to carefully remove the jar from the oven and wipe out the wax with a paper towel.
Q: What should I do if there is leftover wax residue in the jar?
A: If there is any leftover wax residue, you can use a cotton ball or Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently remove it. Wash the jar with soap and water once all the residue is removed.
