How To Remove Candle Wax From A Jar Easily 4 Ways

Never dispose of a candle jar again. Let me show you how to remove candle wax from a jar using four different techniques so that you can recycle and reuse the jars over and over again.

So, you bought and burned your favourite candle, and now you have a jar or candle holder that would be just the thing to reuse. However, you are left with a waxy, sooty mess in the jar that seems impossible to remove.

Yup, I’ve been there too. Thankfully, it is easier and not as messy as you think to remove the residual candle wax from your jar. Let me show you four different, easy and effective methods that you can try at home today.

How To Remove Candle Wax From A Jar – Four Ways

Here are the best ways I’ve found to remove leftover candle wax from its jar:

Freeze The Candle

My preferred method is to simply pop the whole thing in the freezer overnight. Yup, just put the candle jar upright in the freezer.

It does take the longest, out of all my methods – around 6 to 12 hours. However, this method shrinks the wax, no matter if the wax is plant-based or mineral-based, making it really easy to remove.

In the morning, you can take the candle jar out of the freezer and turn it upside down. The leftover candle wax should pop right out, without too much fuss.

If the candle wax is stubborn, then you can use a spoon or a butter knife to carefully prise the wax out. If the wax won’t come out, then it’s really not worth the risk of injuring yourself. Just try another method!

Use Hot Water

Another good method is to use hot water to remove any excess wax from your jar. I also like this one – you can see from my photo above just how effective it is. And it’s also incredibly satisfying to lift the solid chunk of wax out!

This method is relatively quick, usually taking 10–20 minutes, plus additional cooling time, but it does require a heatproof jar to avoid any risk of cracking.

To do this:

• Place your candle jar on a heatproof surface, and then add hot water to the jar (I use boiled water from the kettle, leaving it to cool for a few minutes before adding it to the jar) – leaving around 2 centimetres of space at the top of the jar.
• After a short period, the hot water should have melted the candle wax. This should cause the majority of the wax to float to the surface of the container.
• To get the wax out, let the water cool completely. Then, use your fingers to remove any large pieces of wax, and then strain the water into a bowl – not your sink.
• Sometimes you are left with little bits of wax. If that happens, then, using a mesh strainer, try to fish out as many small pieces of wax out of the water as possible. It’s important to do this before discarding the water because wax could block your sink – something we want to avoid!

A word of warning – if your candle jar is not heatproof, then this method can cause your jar to break. If you decide to try this technique, then proceed with caution.

If you hear any suspicious cracking noises, then, using an oven glove, carefully pour out the water. If in any doubt about the integrity of your jar, or if it is made of thin glass, then do not use this method.

The Soaking Method

For beeswax or soy-based candles, another effective method for removing candle wax from your jar is the soaking method.

This method is particularly gentle, especially for less robust candle jars. It also works best if you are not precious about keeping the label on your candle jar. This is because soaking it invariably means the label will come off.

To use this method, simply fill your sink with hot water and place the candle jar in the water for around half an hour or so. The heat melts the residual candle wax, making it easy to scoop out with an old spoon or butter knife. If any wax remains, try a second soak before giving it a scrub.

Warm The Candle Jar In The Oven

This method isn’t my favourite, as it’s a little messier than the others, and a bit more energy-intensive. However, if your candle wax is refusing to budge from its jar, then it’s a good technique to have up your sleeve.

Do note that this method is not suitable for candle jars with any decorations on them. This includes stickers, labels, sequins, or glitter. Only place plain glass jars in the oven.

If your jar is suitable, preheat your oven to 80°C/180°F, and line a rimmed baking dish with a recycled piece of tin foil. Place the candle upside down on the dish and then pop it in the oven for about 15 minutes or so until the wax melts. You’ll know when the wax melts because the wax will form a pool on the tin foil.

Once the wax has melted, remove the dish from the oven and place it on a trivet or similar heat-safe surface. Then let your jar cool before cleaning it in warm, soapy water. When the leftover wax has dried on the tin foil, simply peel it off the tin foil to reuse or recycle the wax.

Which Option Is Best For Me?

If you’re wondering which option is best for you, let me help you out:

• If you’re short on time and the jar is heatproof, the hot water method is usually the quickest.
• If you don’t mind waiting overnight, and the jar is quite sturdy, the freezer is a good hands-off approach.
• If your jar is more delicate or you’re using natural waxes like soy or beeswax, soaking can be a gentler option.
• If the wax is particularly stubborn, the oven method can work well.

An Important Note On Candle Safety

When you are trying to remove candle wax, it can be tempting to burn your candle as much as it will allow before self-extinguishing. This isn’t a good idea.

The base of the jar can get very hot and cause your candle to explode. Burning it this far down can also damage the surface your candle is sitting on.

Instead, extinguish your candle when about one centimetre to half a centimetre (½ of an inch to ¼ of an inch if you prefer old-school measurements) of wax remains. This will prevent your candle jar from overheating and potentially shattering.

Final Steps

No matter which method you employ to remove candle wax from your jar, your jar will need a good clean once you’re done. A scrub in warm, soapy water will help remove any residual wax and soot, leaving your jar ready for whatever purpose you have in mind.

If any stubborn residue remains, a sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda on a damp cloth can help lift marks without scratching the glass.

Top Tips For Reusing Your Candle Jar

Once cleaned, your jar can be put to all sorts of good uses. As you can see from the photo above, I’ve upcycled a particularly nice old candle jar into a plant pot. Beyond that, they can also be used to store makeup brushes, toothbrushes, or other bathroom essentials. You could use them to store pens or any other household objects. The only limit is your imagination!

Giving the jars a second life helps to keep them out of the recycling stream. Plus, it reduces the energy needed to process new materials. So all in all, it’s an environmental win.

The only reuse I would be wary of is using the old jar to make new candles. The heating and cooling of the glass weakens the jar and could cause it to break.

How To Recycle Candle Wax

Once you have successfully removed the leftover candle wax from your jar, don’t bin it. It’s a little-known fact that old candle wax can actually be recycled.

If you make your own candles, simply keep the wax scraps to melt down for future candle-making crafting times. Alternatively, you can make fire starters using pine cones and old candle wax. Both are clever ways to use up something that would otherwise go to waste.