Brooke Martin
Whether you're looking to repurpose a candle jar or fix a broken candle, the first step is to remove the wax. This can be done by melting the wax and pouring it out, or by freezing the candle jar and popping the wax out. Once the wax is removed, the jar can be cleaned, and new wax can be added if desired. This guide will walk you through the process of fixing candle jars, from removing the wax to repurposing the jar.
How to fix candle jars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Removing wax | Boil water and pour it into the jar, leaving an inch of space at the top. The heat will melt the wax and make it float to the top. Once the water has cooled, the wax will solidify, making it easy to remove. Alternatively, place the jar in the freezer overnight and the wax will pop out the next day due to its reduced size. |
| Removing labels and sooty buildup | Fill the sink with very hot water and add a teaspoon of dish soap. Submerge the jar and let it soak for at least 10 minutes. Peel off the labels and use a sponge or paper towel to wipe away the soot. |
| Adding new wax | Cut the wax into small cubes and melt it over medium heat. Place the wicks into the jars and secure them with stickers. Pour the melted wax into the jars and let them sit at room temperature until they are completely dry. |
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What You'll Learn
Removing wax with boiling water
There are several ways to remove wax from candle jars using boiling water. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Boiling Water Method
- Boil enough water to fill your candle jar, leaving at least an inch of space at the top. This method works best with wide-mouthed jars.
- Carefully pour the boiling water into the jar. You will see the wax start to melt and rise to the surface.
- Allow the water to cool completely. The wax will solidify, forming a disc at the top of the water.
- Drain the water, being careful not to pour wax down the sink drain as it can cause clogging. You may need to break the wax disc if your jar is tapered.
- Remove any remaining wax from the jar. You can save the wax for future use or discard it appropriately.
Double Boiler Method
- Place your candle jar in a large pot or bowl.
- Pour hot water into the container, ensuring the water level is below the jar's rim.
- As the water heats the jar, the wax will begin to soften and can be easily removed with a knife.
Microwave Method
- Fill your candle jar with water and place it in the microwave.
- Heat the jar for around two minutes, keeping a close eye on it to avoid any potential fire hazards.
- The wax will melt and rise above the water. Allow the jar to cool, then swiftly pop out the wax with a spoon or knife.
Freezer Method
For all methods, if there is a significant amount of wax remaining in the jar, it is recommended to first chip away large chunks with a knife before applying the boiling water techniques. Additionally, the freezer method can be used as a preliminary step to make wax removal easier:
- Place the candle jar in the freezer overnight or for a few hours until the wax freezes and contracts.
- Remove the jar from the freezer and gently turn it upside down.
- The wax should pop out easily due to its reduced size. If not, gently apply pressure with a spoon or knife to dislodge any remaining wax.
Remember to protect the surface you set the hot candle jar on and always exercise caution when handling boiling water or hot wax.
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Removing wax by freezing
Removing wax from candle jars by freezing is a straightforward and effective approach. This method relies on the natural contraction of wax in cold temperatures.
First, place your used candle jar in the freezer and leave it overnight. The colder the temperature, the better. Freezing the wax doesn't just harden it; it causes the wax to shrink and loosen, making it easier to remove. When you're done, you should be left with a large, frozen lump of wax at the bottom of the jar.
The next day, remove the jar from the freezer and gently turn it upside down. The wax should effortlessly pop out due to its reduced size. If the wax remains stuck to the glass and refuses to loosen, place the candle back in the freezer for another hour or two. Don't worry about over-freezing it!
In the rare instance that the wax remains stubborn, gently apply pressure with a spoon or butter knife to one corner of the wax to nudge and remove it. For any small pieces of wax that remain on the glass, use a spoon to gently scrape them off. If what's left is thinner than a fingernail, you'll be able to scrub it off in the next step.
Finally, remove any remaining waxy residue by dipping a paper towel into some household cooking oil and wiping the inside of the candle jar.
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Removing wax using an oven
Removing wax from candle jars using an oven is an effective method, although it may not be the most practical solution. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Scrape Excess Wax
Firstly, use a butter knife or spoon to scrape out as much wax as possible from the jar. This will make the process faster and more effective.
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is preheating, line a rimmed baking pan with aluminum foil or one to two layers of parchment paper. This will make the clean-up process easier.
Place Jars in the Oven
Place the candle jars upside down on the prepared pan. Ensure the jars are placed securely and will not tip over. Place the pan in the oven.
Melt the Wax
The wax will melt in the oven's heat. Depending on the amount of wax, this process should take around 15 minutes. Keep an eye on the oven to ensure the wax does not burn.
Remove the Pan
Once the wax has melted, carefully remove the pan from the oven and place it on a heat-safe surface. Allow the wax to cool and solidify before disposing of it appropriately.
Clean the Jar
After removing the wax, wash the jar with soap and water to remove any remaining residue. Ensure the jar is completely clean and dry before reusing it.
This method is straightforward and effective, but it is important to exercise caution when working with high temperatures and hot wax. Always wear oven mitts and ensure your work area is heat-safe.
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Removing labels and soot
Before reusing candle jars, it is important to remove any leftover wax, labels, and soot. Here are some methods to effectively remove labels and soot from candle jars:
Removing Labels
To remove labels from candle jars, you can use multiple methods, depending on the type of label and the material of the jar. Here are some common approaches:
- Soaking in Hot Water: Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Place the candle jar in the boiling water for a few minutes. This will help melt the wax and loosen the label adhesive. Remove the jar from the water and carefully peel off the label. You can use a razor blade or knife to help lift the edge of the label.
- Freezing: Place the candle jar in the freezer overnight. The next day, remove the jar and gently turn it upside down. The freezing temperature will cause the wax to contract and pop out easily. The label may also become easier to remove due to the wax contraction.
- Solvents: Use rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or inexpensive vodka. Soak a cotton ball, rag, or paper towel in the solvent and press it onto the label for at least 15 minutes. The solvent will break down the adhesive, making label removal easier.
- Heat with a Hair Dryer: For glass jars with paper labels, use a hair dryer on high heat and blow it directly over the label for 30-second intervals. The heat will loosen the adhesive, allowing for easier label removal. Remove any remaining glue with a soapy sponge.
- Vinegar: Fill a shallow container with white vinegar and submerge the label for 15 minutes. For better results, heat the vinegar before submerging the jar. Peel away the label, and use a sponge to clean up any leftover adhesive.
Removing Soot
To remove soot from candle jars, a simple and effective method is to use a mild cleaning agent, such as dish soap, and a paper towel or baby wipes:
- Add a small amount of dish soap to a dry paper towel and gently wipe the inside of the jar. The dish soap will help lift the soot and grime.
- Alternatively, use baby wipes to clean the soot, followed by a dry paper towel to prevent a "damp stain look" and leave a clear shine.
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Repurposing candle jars
Boiling Water Method
This is one of the most popular ways to clean out candle jars. Bring a kettle or a small saucepan of water to a boil. Carefully pour the hot water into the jar, leaving an inch of space at the top. The heat will melt the wax, causing it to rise to the top. Once the water has cooled completely, the wax will solidify, making it easy to remove. Be sure to use a strainer when pouring out the water to catch any wax remnants and prevent them from clogging your drain.
Freezer Method
This method relies on the natural contraction of wax in cold temperatures. Place your used candle jar in the freezer overnight. The next day, remove the jar and gently turn it upside down. The wax should pop out due to its reduced size. If the wax is still stubborn, gently apply pressure with a spoon or butter knife to nudge and remove it.
Microwave Method
For this method, you will need a microwave-safe container that is larger than your candle jar. Place the candle jar in the container and fill it with water, leaving an inch of space at the top. Microwave the water for a few minutes until it boils. The wax will melt and rise to the top. Allow the water to cool, then remove the wax from the container.
Oven Method
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your candle jar upside down on a sheet of aluminum foil on a baking pan. Monitor the oven in case of any waxy mishaps. After about 15 minutes, the wax should steadily melt and pool on the foil. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and take the jar off the pan using an oven mitt. Once the wax has dried, remove it from the foil.
Once you have removed the wax, you can repurpose your candle jars in various ways:
Storage
Use your cleaned candle jars to store small items such as cotton balls, Q-tips, hair ties, coins, or office supplies. You can also use them to store homemade beauty products like sugar scrubs or bath salts.
Home Decor
Candle jars can be turned into decorative pieces for your home. You can fill them with small rocks, sand, or shells, and place a tealight candle on top. You can also use them as vases for small flowers or plants.
New Candles
Create your own candles by adding new wicks to the cleaned jars and pouring in melted wax. You can experiment with different types of wax, such as beeswax, and add essential oils to create scented candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Removing wax from candle jars is easy and can be done in several ways. One way is to boil water and pour it into the jar, leaving an inch of space at the top. The hot water will melt the wax, which will then float to the surface. Allow the water to cool completely and then remove the wax. You can also try freezing the jar and gently turning it upside down to pop the wax out.
Fill your sink with very hot water and add a teaspoon of dish soap. Submerge the jar and let it soak for at least 10 minutes. You can then peel off the labels and use a sponge or paper towel to wipe away any remaining soot.
After removing the wax and labels, clean any remaining wax residue or soot with hot, soapy water. Dry the jar thoroughly before repurposing it.
Clean candle jars can be repurposed in many ways. You can turn them into new candles, use them for storage, or even as a piece of home decor.
To make new candles, clean your old candle jars as mentioned above. Place a new wick in the centre of the jar and secure it. Melt some wax cubes in a separate container and carefully pour the melted wax into the jar. Allow the wax to dry completely before lighting the candle.
