Have you got a growing pile of old candle jars in your home? Pinterest and Instagram are flooded with different ways to upcycle old candle containers, but the first step is the clean the jars out thoroughly (especially if you're using them for food or drink storage!). We've rounded up three easy methods to remove wax from old candle jars, so you can reduce your waste and get on with your upcycling projects!
3 ways to remove leftover wax from your old candles
Method #1: Remove leftover candle wax using boiling water
You'll need to pop the kettle on for this method! First, remove any large pieces of wax from the candle jar using a spoon or knife. Then, place your candles on a heat-proof surface, and carefully pour boiling water into the jar. Don't fill the jar up the whole way: leave a 2cm gap at the top. You can also add some washing-up liquid at the same time. If your candle has a softer wax like soy wax, try using hot water rather than boiling water.
The boiling water will melt the leftover wax, which will then float to the top. As the water cools, the wax will cool and harden on the surface of the water. Then, simply remove the hardened wax, and voila! As a final step, make sure you clean the jar with warm water and soap to remove any residue.
Method #2: Get leftover wax out of candle jars with a double boiler
If you don't want to pour hot water directly into your old candle jars, you can create a double boiler instead. First, remove large bits of leftover wax with a spoon or knife. Then, fill a heat-resistant bowl with hot water, and gently place your old candle jar in the bowl. Make sure the water doesn't get into the candle jar!
The hot water will soften the outer edges of the wax, allowing you to gently slide the leftover wax out of the container. After removing the leftover wax, clean the jar with soap and warm water to remove residue, before reusing your candle jar!
Method #3: Place old candle jars in the freezer to remove leftover wax
Ever been told to use ice cubes to get wax out of carpets? This method works because cold temperatures cause candle wax to shrink and harden, making it easy to remove.
To get leftover wax out of candle jars, simply use a spoon to scrape away any large pieces of wax, then place the jar in the freezer. Leave it in there for several hours (overnight is best!), until the wax has frozen. The wax will now be shrunken and hardened, making it easy to remove. After removing the leftover wax from the candle jar, wash it with soap and warm water. Now, you can get on with your next upcycling project!
Create wax melts using leftover wax
Why not go one step further in reducing your waste by turning leftover candle wax into wax melts. Follow these simple steps...
Once you've removed the wax using one of the above methods, simply melt the wax down (either pop it in the microwave or heat it gently on the hob).
Then, pour the melted wax into a silicone wax melt mold (we love these ones from Cosy Owl!).
Leave them in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) to set.
Carefully pop the melts out of their molds.
Place them on a wax burner, and enjoy!
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