With their flickering flames and wafting aromas, candles are a great way to create a warm, inviting ambiance in your home. The only problem is that there always seems to be leftover wax at the end of a candle wick’s lifespan. If you aren’t quite sure what to do with that leftover wax — or…
Ahead, find the best way to remove wax from candle jars, plus two additional tried-and-true methods to dislodge and reuse it.
How To Remove Wax From Candle Jars
The Freezer Method
Removing candle wax from its original vessel is as simple as placing the vessel in a freezer for a day or two and then popping out the wax. While in the freezer, the wax shrinks and solidifies, making it easier to release from the candle jar using a butter knife or a whack from the heel of your hand. Tempered glass and metal containers are generally freezer-safe, but ceramic is prone to cracking. Note that most candle jars are not food-safe, so once empty, they’re best used for housing new candles or small items.
The Hot Water Method
Pouring boiling water into a candle jar with wax might seem counterintuitive and likely to create a sticky mess, but it can actually help loosen the wax. It’s safer to use a glass or ceramic container for this method, and we recommend doing it in a sink to contain any potential breakage from thermal shock. (Note: Do not combine this with the freezer method.)
All you have to do is boil some water in a tea kettle and pour it into the jar, leaving a small amount of space at the top to prevent it from overflowing. The wax will melt and rise to the top, as it’s less dense than water. Allow everything to cool completely, and you should be able to easily remove the solidified pieces of wax from the water’s surface. You can break the wax into smaller shards and repurpose them as wax melts for a fragrance warmer.
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The Boiling Method
You can also reheat the wax to create new candles. Put a saucepan on your cooktop and place a smaller, heat-safe container (such as a glass bowl) inside it. Put the candle jar in the smaller container to weigh it down, then add water to the saucepan until it reaches about halfway up the side of the smaller container. Next, bring the water to a gentle simmer to create a double-boil effect. The heat will melt the candle wax at the bottom of the jar, allowing you to remove the old wicks and pour the melted wax into a smaller jar (such as a tea light holder) with a brand new wick. To get more out of your leftover wax, you can purchase tea light cups and make several small homemade candles.
