Candle making and candle burning are beloved hobbies for many. However, when our favorite candle burns down, we’re often left with leftover wax stuck inside the jar. Instead of tossing the jar, learning how to effectively remove the remaining candle wax enables reuse of the glass container.
Through research and testing, I have come up with the 4 most effective methods for getting candle wax out of jars. Whether you want to clean up used jars for storage, future candle making, or other crafts, these techniques make it simple.
4TH BEST METHOD: FREEZING CANDLE WAX
The concept of freezing candle wax to remove it sounds promising. However, for most average-sized jars, this quick fix method leaves a lot to be desired. Here is how the freezing process goes:
- Place candle jar in freezer overnight. Wax shrinks when frozen.
- Remove jar, turn upside down to dump out wax.
- Use a butter knife to chip at or scrape any remaining wax.
- Wash out jar with soap and water.
In theory, freezer temperatures cause the candle wax to contract and pull away from glass walls, allowing it to pop out easily. But in reality, this only works for thin wax layers in small, narrow jars.
Chipping at rock-hard frozen wax with metal tools also poses risk of scratching or breaking glass surfaces. Freezing can work in a pinch, but is generally my least favored wax removal tactic.
Pros
- Quick and simple
- No heating equipment required
Cons
- Leaves residue wax behind
- Risk of glass breakage
- Only works for thin wax layers
3RD BEST METHOD: HOT WATER MELTING
Heating candle wax with hot water is an improvement over freezing. The concept involves:
- Boiling water then carefully pouring it into wax-filled jar.
- Letting softened wax float to water surface as it cools.
- Wiping away gathered wax globs from the jar’s opening.
- Repeating hot water wax melting process 2-3 times to get jar completely clean.
I have found this hot water melting method to be moderately effective. It works better than freezing because the heat liquefies embedded wax so more rises out.
But depending on how thickly wax coats the jar walls, multiple boiling are needed to coax wax out of crevices. Pouring near-boiling water also poses risks like burning hands or cracking glass.
Pros
- More effective for freeing stuck wax than freezing
- Loosens wax out of intricate jar patterns
Cons
- Requires multiple cycles
- Risk of burns or glass breaking
- Wax removal not 100% thorough
2ND BEST METHOD: LIQUID DISH SOAP METHOD
Combining heat from hot water with a grease-cutting dish soap is an easy wax removal tactic. The steps involve:
- Filling candle jar with very hot, but not quite boiling water.
- Mixing in a squirt of Dawn or Palmolive liquid soap.
- Letting jar soak 10+ minutes for soap/water to penetrate wax.
- Wiping away softened wax with paper towel or soft cloth. .
I have found Dawn Ultra dish soap works extremely well at dissolving and releasing stuck-on wax off glass, ceramics, and metals. This method doesn’t require full on boiling water either. The wax-fighting suds do most of the cleaning work.
Just be sure to use lint-free towel or soft cloths that won’t scratch delicate glass jar surfaces during wax wiping stages.
Pros
- Dish soap dissolves wax well
- Safer temperatures than boiling
- Gets into intricate jar features
Cons
- Multiple applications sometimes needed
- Requires more supplies
- Wiping process is messy
BEST METHOD: OVEN HEATING METHOD
Heating candle jars filled with wax to loosen it in the oven consistently proves the most effective approach. Here are the simple steps:
- Preheat oven to 200°F
- Place wax-filled candle jar upside down on foil-lined baking sheet
- Heat 15 minutes to let jar wax melt onto foil
- Remove, transfer jar to heat-proof surface
- Once cooled, wash out melted wax with soap and water
- The benefits of using your oven to remove embedded candle wax are plentiful:
- Oven warmth evenly liquefies all wax so it drips out
- Foil-lined pan catches wax for no-fuss disposal
- Multiple jars cleaned at once
- No risky handling of boiling water
I have achieved a 100% wax removal success rate using this thorough oven heating tactic. It does take some time for the jars to fully cool before washing. But not having to scrub, wipe or chip at leftover wax makes this the #1 ranking method in my book.
Pros
- Thoroughly removes all wax
- Even heat application
- Clean multiple jars simultaneously
- No need to dig wax out afterward
Cons
- Takes longer than other methods
- Uses more energy than water heating
KEY CANDLE WAX REMOVING TIPS
Through testing all these methods extensively, I have discovered some best practices for getting wax out of reused or repurposed glass jars successfully:
- Carefully remove any labels, glue, or wrappers – chemical residues can leave candle jars looking dirty even after cleaning.
- Address wax removal soon after candle burns out – fresh wax is easier to eliminate before drying out.
- Always lay down newspaper or paper towels during wax removal processes to absorb drips.
- Avoid drastic temperature shifts like pouring near-boiling water into a cold glass jar to prevent cracking.
- Use plastic or silicone scraping tools instead of metal to prevent scratching glass surfaces.
- Double check sides, corners, and crevices of intricate jar designs for leftover wax remnants after cleaning.
- Let candle jars fully air dry upside down before reuse to prevent mildew or damp smells.
Taking the time to appropriately get all wax out of repurposed glassware ensures your jar crafts, organizational projects, or refilled candles look fantastic displayed around your home.
WAX-FREE JARS: PREPARE FOR REUSE CRAFTING SUCCESS
Once you have conquered removing every last bit of candle wax, an array of jar crafting possibilities await! Here are some fun ways to reuse cleaned out jars:
- Make colorful candles in creative scents
- Store Q-tips or cotton balls in bathroom
- Fill with glittering river rocks or sea glass
- Create pen, pencil, and office supply holders
- Craft pretty flower vases or small planters
- Use as bathroom soap dispensers
- Offer as gift holders filled with treats
- Make whimsical string lights
- Display air plants or mini succulents
And these are just a few ideas to spark your repurposing creativity! The right candle wax removal process makes prepping used jars for exciting new roles simple and mess-free.
FREQUENTLY ASKED CANDLE WAX REMOVAL QUESTIONS
- What is the best way to get old candle wax out of a jar?
Based on my testing, the most effective method for removing all wax from a used candle jar is oven heating. Simply place the wax-filled jar upside down on a foil-lined baking sheet, heat at 200°F for 15 minutes, then allow to cool and wash clean. The oven warmth evenly liquifies the wax so it drips free of the jar.
- Why is it so hard to get candle wax out of glass?
The wax used in jar candles is specifically designed to strongly adhere to glass and ceramic containers. As the hot wax cools, it shrinks slightly which causes it to grip jar interior walls tightly. Getting wax out takes some work to overcome its grippy sealing action.
- Does boiling candle wax damage glass?
Exposing glass jars to drastic, rapid temperature spikes can certainly damage or crack thinner containers. However, gradually heating thicker glass from room temperature up to a simmering boil generally poses little risk. Cool the wax-filled jar slowly afterward to be safe.
- What breaks down wax on glass?
Chemical solvents that dissolve candle wax well for cleaning glass include concentrated dish soaps, 90% isopropyl alcohol, nail polish remover containing acetone, Goo Gone, xylene, and mineral spirits. Avoid harsh caustic chemicals that could scratch or dull glass.
- How do you thoroughly remove candle wax?
Fully eliminating thick wax coatings involves using heat, time, and wax-cutting chemicals together. For example, boil water filled jars for 10+ minutes to penetrate and melt wax fully. Next pour out water and wipe globs away while still fluid. Use isopropyl alcohol to finally dissolve any remaining wax residue.
- Can I reuse old candle jars with wax still in them?
For the highest quality results, taking the time to completely remove all built up wax from reused glass jars is ideal. Leftover wax residue can prevent new wax layers from smoothly adhering. And old wax chunks can break free to clog new candle wicks. Proper cleaning makes refilling jars much easier.
- What can I use cleaned out candle jars for?
Once fully wax-removed and cleaned, emptied candle glass containers have endless reuse possibilities! Repurpose them to store office supplies, Q-tips, cotton balls or loose change. Turn them into beautiful little flower vases, pencil cups, glowing string light covers, or whimsical bathroom soap dispensers. Get creative!
I hope these answers help provide more candle wax removal clarity. Please reach out with any other questions!
BOTTOM LINE: OVEN HEATING ROCKS WAX REMOVAL!
If you love burning candles but hate wasting all those pretty jars once they burn out, using the oven technique helps recover vessels for ongoing reuse and repurposing.
As you have learned, the oven heating method ranked #1 in my real world testing for safety, ease and extraction power. By evenly warming jars filled with wax, it gently lifts out stuck on remnants for spotless cleaning results. No messes to scrape or wipe down afterward!
However, all four methods – including freezing, hot water melting, dish soap scrubbing and oven heating – effectively prepare glass candle containers for new life. Choose whichever removal tactic fits your time, patience and risk comfort levels best. Any can leave your jar Interiors 100% wax-free.
But I hope my helpful cleaning comparisons give you tips and confidence to revamp untouched candle pots wasting away. Give embedding wax the heave-ho from those forgotten jars languishing at back of cupboard!
Happy safe, simple and successful candle wax removal to all! Those gorgeous empty jars await…what wonderfully creative new purpose will you fill them with next?
