Once the candle in the bottle burns out and can't be rekindled, all that's left is an empty bottle. Whether you want to reuse the container or use it for something else, the remaining wax must be removed first! Here are some simple ways to remove wax residue, choose the one that is easiest for you.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using the Freezer
Step 1. Find a suitable wax residue
This method works best on wax containers that are only coated with a small amount of wax at the bottom. Also, make sure the candle wick is not glued to the bottom of the bottle.
If your candle wick is glued to the bottom of the bottle, any remaining wax may not be able to be cleaned properly. Consider pouring boiling water over the candles instead. To find out how, read the section on using boiling water
Step 2. Prepare the candle holder
Most wax containers are tapered at the ends, so any excess wax may clog the jar when you take it out. You can prevent this problem by cutting off any excess wax in the container with a butter knife. Once frozen, the wax will break into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces will be easier to remove than large whole wax lumps. All you have to do is insert a butter knife into the bowl, stick it through the remaining wax, and then cut it. You can use this method on candle holders too.
There is no need to cut the wax residue on a candle holder with a flat surface
Step 3. Place the candle holder in the freezer
Place the candle holder on a stable surface to prevent it from falling. Water expands when it freezes, but wax does the opposite. This means that the wax will shrink and fall off the sides of the container.
Step 4. Leave the container in the freezer until the wax solidifies
The time required may be between 20-30 minutes or several hours.
Step 5. Remove the candle holder from the freezer
Once the wax has frozen, remove the wax container from the freezer. You can tell if the wax has frozen by pressing the corners. If the wax slides and feels loose, the wax is frozen and ready to be removed.
Step 6. Remove the wax from the container
Flip the container from top to bottom. The candle inside should have fallen right out. If not, however, you can tap the container against a hard surface such as a counter or counter. You can also slide a butter knife between the candle and the side of the container, and pry out the wax by pressing the handle of the knife.
Step 7. Remove the candle wick holder if necessary
If the candle wick holder is still stuck to the bottom of the container, you can pry it off with the tip of a butter knife.
Step 8. Remove any remaining wax
There may still be some wax left in the container. If this is the case, you can scrape off any excess wax with a butter knife. You can also remove wax residue by washing it off with soap and water, or wiping it with a little baby oil.
Step 9. Reuse the candle holder
You can now reuse the candle holder by inserting the candle wick and pouring new wax into it. You can also decorate the container, and use it as a place for pens, utensils, or other objects.
Consider saving leftover wax. You can re-melt this wax with a double pan and reuse it to make new or melted wax
Method 2 of 4: Using Boiling Water
Step 1. Protect the place you are using
This method can make the house very messy, so you may need to cover the countertops or countertops from the spilled wax. You can line the table with a towel or old newspaper. You can also use an old baking sheet as a base while working.
Step 2. Cut off the remaining wax
Insert a sharp knife into the candle holder (or any candle holder) and stick it through the remaining wax, so that it splits into small pieces and slices. This will help speed up the melting of the wax. It will also make it easier for water to get under the candle and separate it from the container.
Step 3. Pour boiling water into the container
Do not completely fill the container with hot water. Eventually, the wax will melt and float to the surface of the water.
Step 4. Allow the container to cool for a few hours
After a few hours, the water in the container will cool, and the melted wax will solidify again. The difference is that the wax will now float on top of the water, making it easy to remove.
Step 5. Take the floating candle
Once the wax has hardened again, you should be able to pick it up right away. Just keep in mind that water may spill out when you remove the wax from the water.
Step 6. Remove the candle wick holder
You can also remove the candle wick holder by tucking a knife under it and then prying it off. If the wick holder doesn't come off easily, simply pour some more boiling water into the container, and try removing the wick holder while the water is still hot.
Step 7. Clean up the rest
If there is still wax remaining in the container, you can peel it off with a knife. You can also wash the container with soap and warm water. Another way to remove wax residue is to moisten a cotton ball with baby oil and rub it over the remaining wax in the container.
Step 8. Reuse the wax receptacle
You can now use the container as you wish. You can pour new candles into them, or decorate them and use them to store jewelry.
Consider reusing leftover wax. You can also melt the old wax in a double pan and use it to make new wax or melted wax
Method 3 of 4: Using Hot Water and a Pot
Step 1. Place the candle holder in the sink or pan
If you have multiple wax containers that you need to clean, place them in the sink or pot at a time, as long as they don't get too close to each other. This method may not be suitable for use with very hard waxes, but it is suitable for soy wax because of its low melting point.
Step 2. Fill a pot or sink with hot water
Make sure the water level does not exceed the surface of the wax in the container, and that no water gets into it. If you're using a sink, be sure to close the drains first.
Step 3. Wait for the wax to soften
If your wax is soft, such as soy wax, it won't take too long. You can determine the hardness of the wax by pressing it with your finger. If the wax surface is curved, it means the wax is ready to be removed.
Harder wax may be more difficult to remove. However, the surface of the wax adhering to the container should soften so that it can be pryed out by pressing one end
Step 4. Remove the softened wax while the water is still warm
Do not remove the container from the water first. However, hold the container with one hand. Take the butter knife with the other hand, and slide the blade between the candle and the container. Push the knife so that it goes just under the candle. Gently press the knife handle down. This should loosen the wax, or at least loosen it so it can be removed easily.
Step 5. Remove the candle holder from the sink or pan
If there is still wax in the container, remove it by inverting the container and gently tapping it against the corner of the kitchen counter.
Step 6. Remove the candle wick holder if necessary
The wick holder should come out along with the candle, but if it doesn't, you can remove it by tucking the tip of a butter knife between the wick holder and the candle holder and then pressing down on the hilt.
Step 7. Clean up the rest
If there is any wax remaining in the container, you can remove it by washing the container with soap and warm water. You can also wipe off any excess wax with a cotton ball moistened with baby oil.
Step 8. Reuse the container
The candle holder is now ready to use. You can paint or decorate the container to your liking, or use it as a storage area. You can also insert a candle wick and pour new wax into the container.
Consider reusing used wax by melting it and turning it into new wax or melted wax
Method 4 of 4: Using the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven
Turn on the oven and set it to 94°C. A warm oven should melt the wax.
Step 2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil
This coating will not only protect the pan, but will also help you clean it easier and faster. All you have to do is peel off the aluminum foil, roll it up and throw it away. Be sure to line the sides of the pan as shown so that no melted wax will drip onto the surface of the pan when you take it out of the oven (and ruin the taste of your next cake).
Step 3. Place the candle holder upside down on the baking sheet
The pan will be placed in the oven and heated so that the wax inside melts, so make sure to leave some space between the candle holders. If you have to clean a lot of wax containers at once, or a container that contains a lot of wax residue, consider only placing a few containers at a time on the baking sheet. Otherwise, the melted wax may drip to the bottom of your oven.
Step 4. Put the baking sheet in the oven and wait for the wax to melt
After about 15 minutes, the wax should melt and collect at the bottom of the pan. Do not leave the oven unattended, as melted wax is highly flammable.
Consider opening the kitchen window. The melted wax will release the scented oil. It might smell good, but it might also give you a headache
Step 5. Remove the pan from the oven
Place the pan on a heat-resistant surface.
Step 6. Remove the container from the pan
The container will be hot, so use oven mitts to protect your hands.
Step 7. Wipe the tissue over the surface of the container
There may still be some wax left in the container, especially around the mouth where the melted wax is in direct contact.
If paper towels won't remove the wax, try washing the wax container with soap and water, or dabbing on a cotton ball soaked in baby oil
Step 8. Use the wax receptacle again
You can now insert the candle wick and pour the new candle into the container. You can also paint the container and use it to store tools, such as pens.
Consider melting old wax and reusing it to make small candles or melted wax
Tips
- Before using a method that requires water, make sure there are no labels on the container that will be damaged if exposed to water.
- Soy wax will dissolve in soap and water. These waxes are easier to clean and more environmentally friendly than paraffin. You can also use melted soy wax as a body lotion.
- Before the wax runs out, immediately peel off the wax droplets from the surface of the container, and throw them away after each use. This will make it easier for you to clean the candle holder once it's empty.
Warning
- Be sure not to let the water-soluble melted wax enter the drains. This melted wax will harden in the plumbing and clog it.
- Do not heat glass containers to temperatures that are too high--there's a risk of exploding if the temperature rises too high or comes into direct contact with the heating plate.
- Both freezing and pouring boiling water into a container run the risk of breaking it.
- Never use the microwave to melt the wax in the container. Candle wick holders are usually made of metal, which can damage the microwave and cause a fire.
