Ben Carter
Votive candles are a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, but they can be frustrating to clean. Over time, wax can build up inside the holders, making them look cloudy and messy, and difficult to reuse. The best way to clean them is to prevent wax from sticking to the glass in the first place. This can be done by adding about half an inch of water to the votive candle holder before inserting the candle. The water prevents the wax from sticking to the glass, and the candle can simply be popped out when it's time to replace it. If there is already wax in your votive candle holder, there are several methods to clean it, including using hot water, boiling water, freezing, or the oven.
How to keep votive candle holders clean
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevention | Add a teaspoon of water under the candle before lighting it to prevent wax from sticking to the glass |
| Removing wax | Let the wax cool and harden, then use a butter knife to break it up and remove it |
| Boil water and pour it into the votive, let it cool, then pop out the wax | |
| Freeze the votive to shrink the wax, then pop it out | |
| Put the votive on a candle warmer until the wax melts, then pour it out and wipe with a paper towel | |
| Use an embossing heat gun to melt the wax, then wipe with a paper towel and wash | |
| Put the votive in the oven to melt the wax, then pour it out and wipe with a paper towel | |
| Put the votive in the dishwasher | |
| Removing residue | Wash with warm water and dish soap |
| Polish with a microfiber cloth or vinegar solution | |
| Other tips | Trim candle wicks before lighting to reduce soot and black stains |
| Use candle inserts or tea lights instead of larger poured candles to simplify cleanup |
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What You'll Learn
Prevent wax from sticking to the glass by adding water
To prevent wax from sticking to the glass of your votive candle holders, add a small amount of water to the candle holder before placing the candle inside. This simple hack will save you a lot of time and effort in cleaning your candle holders.
The amount of water you should add depends on the shape of your votive. If you have a round votive, add about a tablespoon of water. If your votive is a different shape, add a teaspoon of water. This small amount of water will ensure that the candle comes out easily without creating a mess.
If you have already burned your candle and are dealing with leftover wax, you can still use this water hack. First, let the wax inside your candle holder completely cool. When the wax is in a melted or soft state, it will be harder to remove, and it can create a bigger mess. Place the votive in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to speed up the hardening process. Once the wax has fully hardened, take a butter knife or a similar tool and carefully press it into the wax to break it up. If your candle burned evenly, the wax might come out in large pieces. However, if it has melted unevenly or left a thin layer at the bottom, it may require more effort to remove.
After breaking up the wax, add hot water to the votive. First, boil water in a kettle, and then fill the votive about two-thirds full. The hot water will melt the wax, causing it to release and rise to the top. Once the water has cooled, the wax will harden again, and you can simply press down on one side, and the wax will pop out.
This water method is an effective way to prevent wax from sticking to your votive candle holders and makes cleaning them a breeze.
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Use the oven to melt wax from multiple holders
The oven method for removing wax is an efficient way to clean multiple votive candle holders at once. It is a safe method that does not harm the candle holders or your plumbing. This method works with beeswax, soy, and paraffin wax.
To begin, preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the candle holders upright on the sheet. If you want to reuse the wax to make new candles, distribute any leftover wax you've collected into the holders. Place the baking sheet into the heated oven. After about 15 minutes, the wax should be melted. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, being careful to handle the hot holders with oven mitts or a dishtowel.
Once the wax has been removed, the holders can be cleaned with paper towels. Wipe the inside and outside of each holder until all the melted wax has been removed. You can also use a vinegar solution to remove any lingering streaks and give the glass an extra shine. If there is stubborn soot or discoloration, use a small amount of dish soap and warm water to clean the inside of the votive.
This method is a quick and easy way to clean multiple votive candle holders at once, saving you time and effort.
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Freeze candle holders to shrink and remove wax
One of the simplest ways to remove old wax from a candle holder is to freeze it. This method is particularly good for candle holders made from materials that may be damaged by heat.
Firstly, make sure the wax inside your candle holder has completely cooled. When wax is in a melted or soft state, it’s much harder to remove, and it can create a bigger mess. Letting the wax harden makes it easier to break apart and extract. You can speed up the hardening process by placing the votive in the fridge for about 10–15 minutes.
Once the wax has fully hardened, put the candle holder in the freezer for several hours. Then, use a butter knife or a dull kitchen tool to carefully press into the wax and break it up. The wax should pop out in chunks. If there is any wax remaining, wash the candle jar after freezing, removing the wax, and allowing the jar to return to room temperature.
Freezing the candle holder is also a good way to remove wax from plastic jars, as heating plastic may cause damage.
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Use hot water to melt and remove wax
Using hot water is an effective way to melt and remove wax from votive candle holders. This method is simple and can save time and effort. It is also safer than some other methods, such as freezing or microwaving, which can cause the glass to crack.
To begin, ensure that the wax inside the candle holder has completely cooled. When wax is melted or soft, it can be harder to remove and may create more mess. Place the votive in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to speed up the hardening process if needed. Once the wax is fully hardened, use a butter knife or a dull kitchen tool to carefully break up the wax.
Next, boil some water in a kettle and pour it into the votive until it is about two-thirds full. The hot water will melt the wax, causing it to release and rise to the top. This creates a lava lamp-like effect. Allow the water to cool, then press down on one side of the votive to pop out the hardened wax.
If there is any remaining wax residue, use a paper towel to wipe it out. You can also use a small amount of dish soap and warm water to clean the inside of the votive if there is stubborn soot or discolouration. For an extra shine, polish the glass with a microfiber cloth or vinegar solution to remove any streaks.
Using hot water is a straightforward and effective way to clean votive candle holders, ensuring they are spotless and ready for reuse.
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Prevent wax buildup by using candle inserts or tea lights
Preventing wax buildup is the best way to keep votive candle holders clean. One way to do this is by using candle inserts or tea lights. These are small, self-contained candles that fit inside the votive holder. When the tea light or candle insert has burned out, you can simply remove the metal cup that holds the wax and wick, and replace it with a new one. This prevents wax from building up inside the votive holder, making it easier to clean.
Another way to prevent wax buildup is to use a teaspoon of water under the candle. This can be done by adding about half an inch of water to the bottom of the votive holder before inserting the candle. The water prevents the wax from sticking to the glass, so the candle can simply be lifted out when it's finished burning. This method may leave a little soot and minor wax residue, but this can be easily cleaned with a soapy bath or by wiping the holder with a paper towel.
If you're using tea lights or candle inserts, it's still important to trim the wicks before lighting to reduce excess soot and black stains inside the votive holder. You can also prevent wax buildup by freezing the votive holder before lighting a new candle. This will help the wax to pop out more easily once the candle has burned down. However, this method may not be as effective at preventing wax buildup as using tea lights or candle inserts.
Overall, using candle inserts or tea lights is a simple and effective way to prevent wax buildup in votive candle holders, making them easier to clean and reuse. By following these tips, you can enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere that candles create without the frustrating task of removing leftover wax.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some methods to clean your votive candle holders:
- Let the wax inside your candle holder harden. Then, take a butter knife or a dull kitchen tool to break up and remove the wax.
- Add about half an inch of water to the votive candle holder before inserting the candle. The water prevents the wax from sticking to the glass, and the candle will pop out easily.
- Boil water in a kettle and fill the votive holder about two-thirds full. The hot water will melt the wax, causing it to rise to the top. Once it cools, the wax will harden, and you can remove it.
To remove wax residue, you can use a paper towel to wipe out the excess wax. If there is stubborn soot or discoloration, use a small amount of dish soap and warm water to clean the inside of the votive. You can also polish the glass with a microfiber cloth or vinegar solution to remove streaks.
To prevent your votive candle holders from getting dirty, always trim your candle wicks before lighting them. This will reduce excess soot and black stains inside the votive. Additionally, consider using candle inserts or tea lights instead of larger poured candles to simplify cleanup.
