How do you get remaining wax out of a candle?

Candles are a popular item in many homes for their ambiance and fragrance. However, once a candle has been burned for some time, wax can build up along the sides and bottom of the container. This wax goes unused and is often thrown away when the candle is discarded. But there are several methods you can use to get every last bit of wax out of a candle before tossing it.

Why Remove Remaining Candle Wax?

Here are some key reasons you may want to remove leftover wax from a candle:

To extend the life of the candle – By getting all the wax out, you can reuse the container and add new wax or a new candle.
To reuse the wax – The unused wax can be melted and used to make new candles or wax melts.
To keep the candle holder clean – Removing wax buildup will keep your candle holders looking neat and prevent wax from getting on surfaces.

To avoid waste – Extracting extra wax reduces the amount thrown away when you’re done with a candle.

Removing every last bit of wax from a used candle takes a little time and effort, but it allows you to enjoy your candle containers and wax for as long as possible.

Materials Needed

Gather these supplies before tackling candle wax removal:

Old pot or a double boiler
Metal spoon
Knife

Paper towels or rags
Heatproof bowl or container
Freezer bags (optional)

Hot Water Method

One of the fastest ways to get remaining wax out of a candle is by using hot water:

Bring a pot of water to a simmer on the stove. Place your candle container in the hot water.
Allow the candle holder to sit in the hot water for 5-10 minutes. This will melt any remaining wax still stuck inside.

Use a knife or spoon to gently scrape wax off the sides and bottom of the container. Try to remove as much wax as possible.
Pour the melted wax into a heatproof bowl or container. Be extremely careful, as the wax and container will be very hot.
Once the container is empty, remove it from the water. Wipe the inside clean with a paper towel or rag.

Allow the collected wax to fully harden before throwing it away or saving it for reuse. You can pour it into freezer bags while it’s still liquid if you want to reuse it.

The hot water technique makes quick work of getting out extra candle wax. Just be sure to take precautions against burns while handling the hot container and melted wax.

Boiling Water Method

For a variation on the hot water method, you can also use boiling water:

Fill a pot about halfway with water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, lower the heat slightly so the water simmers. Place the candle container in the water.
Let the candle holder soak for 7-10 minutes. The boiling water will melt any remaining wax.

Use a spoon to stir the melted wax and scrape it out. Transfer liquid wax to a bowl or container.
When the container is empty, remove it from the water. Wipe away any wax on the sides with a paper towel.
Allow the excess wax to fully harden before disposing or saving it.

Boiling water works a little faster than simmering water. But take extra care, as it gets extremely hot. The basic process is the same.

Double Boiler Method

A double boiler provides more control than regular hot water. Follow these steps to use one:

Fill the bottom pot of your double boiler with a few inches of water. Heat over medium until simmering.

Place the candle holder in the top pot of the double boiler.
Let the candle container sit over the simmering water for about 5-7 minutes to melt the wax.
Use a knife to gently pry wax off the sides and bottom. Deposit melted wax into a heatproof bowl.

Once emptied, remove the candle holder. Wipe away any remaining wax residue with a paper towel.
Pour the excess melted wax into molds or bags to harden for reuse.

A double boiler keeps the wax at a lower temperature than boiling water, so there’s less risk of cracking the container. Just leave the candle holder over the heat a little longer to fully melt all the wax.

Oven Method

If you don’t want to deal with boiling water, your oven can also liquefy leftover candle wax:

Preheat your oven to 200°F.
Place the candle container on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.

Bake for 10-15 minutes. The wax will melt inside the container.
Remove from oven carefully with oven mitts. Scrape out wax with a spoon into a heatproof bowl or pan.
Wipe away any remaining wax in the container with a paper towel.

Allow the excess wax to cool and harden before throwing away or reusing.

This hands-off approach makes wax removal easy. Just keep an eye on the candle holder as the wax melts so it doesn’t overflow.

Microwave Method

If you only have a small amount of wax left, the microwave may work:

Make sure the candle container is microwave-safe.
Heat the container in 30 second intervals until the wax melts, checking often.
Carefully take out the hot container with oven mitts. Pour melted wax into a heatproof dish.

Wipe the inside of the container with a paper towel to remove any remaining wax.
Let the excess wax cool completely before discarding or reusing.

This is the fastest option, but be very careful about overheating the wax or making a mess in your microwave.

Freeze Candle Before Removal

Freezing a candle makes the wax very brittle so it’s easier to remove:

Place the candle container in a freezer bag and seal tightly.
Put the bagged candle in your freezer overnight or at least 3-4 hours.

Take out the frozen candle. Hold it over a bowl or container.
Gently peel away the wax, letting it crack and fall into the bowl.
You can also use a knife to pry off any remaining frozen wax pieces.

Reheat the excess wax to reuse, if desired. Then clean the empty container.

Freezing causes the wax to contract and crack away from the container. No heat is required for this cold wax removal method.

Iron Method

A basic household iron can also help extract leftover candle wax:

Place a few sheets of wax paper or parchment paper on an ironing board.
Put the candle container upside down on the paper.
Heat up your iron to a medium setting. Carefully iron the bottom of the overturned candle holder.

The iron’s heat will cause the wax to melt. Have paper towels ready to absorb drips.
Once melted, tilt the candle container over a heatproof bowl or pan to pour out wax.
Remove any stubborn wax remnants with a knife before cleaning the empty container.

The concentrated heat from an iron liquefies the wax nicely. Just take care not to scorch your ironing board!

Candle Warmer Method

Electric candle warmers can also get that last bit of wax out:

Place the candle holder upside down on the wax melter surface.

Turn on the warmer to low or medium heat. Allow it to run for 10-15 minutes until wax melts.
Carefully tilt the candle container over a bowl to pour out the hot liquid wax.
Use a paper towel to wipe out any remaining wax.

Turn off the warmer and allow solidify the excess wax before throwing out or reusing.

The gentle heat from a wax warmer slowly liquefies the remaining candle wax for easy removal.

How to Reuse Leftover Candle Wax

Once you’ve removed the remaining candle wax, there are a few options for reusing it:

Make new candles – Re-melt the wax and pour it into candle jars or molds with new wicks.
Create wax melts – Pour melted wax into silicone molds to make wax melts for warmers.
Use as fire starters – Old candle wax can help start kindling and fires.

Coat candle wicks – Dip wicks of new candles in leftover wax to help them burn better.
Mix into new candles – Shred and add a bit of leftover wax to new candles for an economical blend.

Get creative with that extracted wax so nothing goes to waste! It takes a little time but yields free wax for new candle projects.

Tips for Removing Candle Wax

Follow these tips for the best results when tackling leftover candle wax removal:

Work slowly to avoid cracking glass containers with rapid temperature changes.
Pour melted wax into heatproof containers to harden for reuse.

Allow candles to fully harden after each burn before attempting wax removal.
Use rubber gloves when handling hot containers to prevent burns.
Avoid breathing in wax vapors by working in a well-ventilated area.

Scrape wax gently to avoid scratching the interior of candle holders.
Place candle containers on foil or wax paper to catch spills and drips.

Taking your time helps make the wax removal process safer and more effective. The work is worth it to extend the lifespan of your candle holders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get leftover wax out of a candle jar?

The fastest method is using a microwave to melt the remaining wax, usually within 1-2 minutes. Just heat the jar in short 30 second bursts, checking often to avoid overflow. This speeds up wax removal but can be messy.

Can I reuse old candle wax?

Yes, you can definitely reuse leftover candle wax for new candles, wax melts, fire starters, and more. Just be sure to strain out any wick debris and only re-melt clean wax.

What should I do with extra candle wax?

Some options for using up excess wax from old candles include: making new molded candles, pouring into wax melt molds for warmers, using it to help fire starters ignite, coating candle wicks, and adding a bit to other new candles.

How do you clean old candle jars?

Once all the remaining wax is removed, wash the empty jars in hot, soapy water. Use a bottle brush to help scrub away leftover wax residue. Rinse and dry well before reusing containers.

Can I use an old crock pot to melt candle wax?

Yes, a crock pot or slow cooker is perfect for melting down old candle wax safely. Just place wax in a heat safe glass bowl inside the crock pot with water. Heat on low until melted.

Conclusion

Removing leftover wax from candles takes a little finesse, but a variety of effective methods can help you clean out old containers and reuse extra wax. Hot water techniques require the most effort for thorough cleaning, while a quick microwave zap or freezer session makes fast work of wax removal. With some clever salvaging, you can give your candle jars and excess wax new life!