If you are planning to light up your house with candles for a special or romantic event like a candle-lit dinner, you’ll need to invest in several candle jars. You also need to learn how to remove the candle wax from the jars at the end of the event so that you can use them for other purposes.
In this article, you’ll learn quick do-it-yourself tips on how to get wax out of a candle jar.
5 Types of Candle Jars
There are different types of candle jars designed to suit different occasions and lighting needs. Therefore, it’s important to understand the various types of candle jars available so that you can choose the ones that match your lighting needs. Here are the most common types of candle jars.
1. Clear Glass Candle Jars
Image source: Pinterest
Most clear glass candle jars feature a long, column style and glass pressed lids. They also have a steady and strong base, wide opening, and plastic decorations to help preserve your candles. Their wide opening allows you to fill and remove the wax easily. The plastic addition is designed to sit tight within the glass jar’s neck, making the jar look stylish even without the lid.
2. Clear Glass Square Candle Jars
Image source: Pinterest
This type of glass jar offers a stylish look that will complement other décor elements in your house. It also offers great features including thick walls and a base to minimize external temperature. Its flared inner shape allows candles to burn evenly.
Clear glass square candle jars are the best when it comes to pouring your candles. They can also be used as elegant votive holders.
3. Clear Glass Round Candle Jars
Image source: Pinterest
These are simple, rough clear glass candle jars with lustrous sides to allow you to customize your candle jars. Their base is fairly thick to prevent damage to the surface of your table while you light up the candle. They’re available in 3 oz. sizes. Therefore, they are suitable for pouring candles and can be great tea light holders and personalized wedding gifts.
4. Frosted Glass Round Candle Jars
Image source: Pinterest
These candle jars produce a warm radiance when the candles are burning and are suitable for a wide range of candles. They feature a thick base and sides that reduce external temperatures while the candles are burning. Their smooth matter frosted design makes them great décor elements for homes, restaurants, and other interior spaces.
5. Frosted Candle Tins
Image source: Pinterest
Frosted candle tins feature a glossy silver shade and rolled edge covers designed for packaging candles. They also come with three 1mm long embossed legs to lift them from the surface. These legs increase airflow and reduce external heat while the candles are lit. The rolled edge covers offer a tight fit for packing and transporting your candles.
How to Get Wax Out of Candle Jars: 4 Ways
If you are struggling to get rid of wax in your candle jars, here are some simple DIY ways that you can use. These tricks work on all kinds of candle jars regardless of their shapes, sizes, and materials.
1. Freezing
Traditionally, people used ice cubes to remove wax from their candle jars. Since cold hardens and shrinks the wax, this technique makes it easier for you to get the stubborn wax out of your candle jars. Just put your candle jars in the freezer for a few hours until they are completely frozen.
Once the wax is frozen, it’ll pop right out of the jar. You can also use a butter knife to loosen it and scrape off the residue if there’s any. Once you’ve removed the wax, wash your jar with soap and water.
2. Boiling Water
You can easily remove wax from your candle jars with hot, boiling water. Place your candle jar on a surface covered with newspapers or a towel and use a butter knife or spoon to remove the wax from the jar. Try to remove as much wax as possible.
Then pour boiling water into the candle jar without filling it to the top. Leave the water in the jar for a few minutes to melt the remaining wax. Once all the wax has melted, it will float to the top. Pour it out together with the water and clean your candle jar with soap and water.
3. Putting it in the Oven
This technique becomes useful when you need to remove wax from several containers. Start by scraping out the wax from your jars using a butter knife or spoon. Place the jars upside down on a pan and place them in the oven. Heat the oven to 180 degrees and allow the wax to melt for about 15 minutes.
Remove the pan from the oven and wipe the inside of each candle jar with a paper towel while holding it with a towel or potholder. Allow the jars to cool off and then wash them with water and soap.
4. Double Boiling
Start by removing as much wax as possible from the candle jar with a butter knife or spoon. Put the jar inside a pot or metal bowl and place it on a heat-safe surface. Then pour boiling water into the pot or bowl and make sure it doesn’t get into the candle jar.
Make sure the candle jar is sitting steadily on the surface of the pot or bowl. Leave it in the pot with hot water for a few minutes to allow the wax to melt. Remove the jar from the pot and pour the liquefied wax out. Wipe the inside of the jar with a paper towel and clean it with water and soap.
8 Tips for Cleaning a Candle Jar
While it’s easy to make candles, cleaning the candle jars after use can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know how to go about it. Here are quick tips on how to clean your candle jars.
Remove the Wax with a Butter Knife
Start by blowing the candle out if it’s still burning. Then reach into the jar with a butter knife and push it into the wax severally until the wax cracks or detaches from the jar. In most cases, the wax comes out in one piece.
1. Wipe Out the Candle Jar
Wipe the inside of your candle jar with a paper towel to remove the residue wax. This also helps to get rid of the carbon film found in non-paraffin wax.
2. Place the Jar in a Saucepan
Fold a dishcloth and spread it on the bottom of the saucepan to keep the candle jar steady. Place the jar on the dishcloth.
3. Pour Warm Water in the Jar
Fill the candle jar with room temperature water until it overflows. Fill the saucepan with room temperature water up to the side of the candle jar.
4. Heat the Saucepan
Heat the saucepan with medium heat and don’t leave it unattended. This helps the remaining wax to melt. Since different types of wax melt at different temperatures, make sure the wax is completely liquefied and floating on the water before you turn down the heat.
5. Pour Hot Water into the Jar
Use a spoon or ladle to pour the hot water into the full candle jar and make sure it overflows.
6. Turn Off the Heat
Turn off the heat and allow the remaining wax to solidify on the surface of the water.
7. Sieve the Water
Pour the water in the jar through a sieve to filter out the solid wax chips.
8. Clean the Jar
Scrub your candle jar with a bottle brush and then wash it with soap and water.
