How to Remove Wax from a Candle Jar

Find an empty candle jar that's suitable for this method. This technique works best when there's only a small amount of wax left stuck at the bottom. Additionally, ensure the wick isn't stuck to the bottom of the jar.

• If the wick is attached to the bottom of the jar, it will be difficult to remove the wax neatly. In this case, consider using the method described below with hot water to get the wax out.

Prepare the candle jar. Many candle jars are designed with a narrowed opening, which can cause the wax to get stuck when being removed. You can prevent this by using a butter knife to break the wax into smaller pieces inside the jar. Once the wax freezes, it will break into shards. These smaller pieces are much easier to remove than a large chunk. You can use this technique for other candle containers with different shapes.

• If you're using a standard candle jar with straight sides, there's no need to break the wax into smaller pieces.

Place the candle jar in the freezer. Set the jar on a flat surface inside the freezer so it doesn't tip over. Water expands when it freezes, but wax contracts. This causes the wax to pull away from the sides of the jar.

Leave the jar in the freezer until the wax freezes. This may only take 20-30 minutes, but sometimes it can take several hours.

Remove the jar from the freezer. Once the wax has hardened, take the jar out of the freezer. Test if the wax is solid by pressing on one corner. If the wax moves, it means it's frozen and ready to be removed.

Take the wax out of the jar. Flip the jar upside down so the wax falls out. If the wax doesn't come out, gently tap the jar on a surface. You can also insert the blade of a knife between the wax and the jar and press down on the handle to lift the wax up.

Remove the wick base if necessary. If the wick base is still attached to the bottom of the jar, use the tip of a knife to gently pry it off.

Clean up any leftover wax crumbs. Some wax residue may stick to the sides of the jar. If this happens, you can scrape off the wax using a butter knife. Alternatively, you can clean the wax bits by washing with soap and water or using baby oil to wipe it clean.

Repurpose the candle jar. Now that the jar is empty, you can reuse it by adding a new wick and pouring in some melted wax. You can also decorate the jar and repurpose it as a pen holder, kitchen utensil container, or storage for other items.

• Consider keeping the leftover wax. You can melt it in a double boiler and use it to create a new candle or scented wax.

Protect your work surface. This method can get messy, so you’ll need to protect the surface from any wax spills. Lay down an old towel or newspaper to shield your workspace. You can also use an old baking tray to catch any wax that spills out.

Cut the wax into small pieces. Use the tip of a knife to pierce the candle jar (or any other container with wax) and repeatedly stab it to break the wax into smaller pieces. This will help the wax melt faster, and water will seep beneath the wax layer, separating it from the glass.

Pour hot water into the jar. However, do not fill the jar completely. The wax will start melting and float on top of the water.

Wait a few hours for the jar to cool. After a few hours, the water will cool, and the melted wax will have solidified. The only difference is that the wax has floated to the surface of the water, making it easy to remove.

Scoop out the wax. Once the wax has solidified, you can easily scoop it out. Keep in mind that water may spill over the jar as you remove the wax.

Remove the wick base. You can easily remove the wick base by prying it off with the edge of a knife. If it’s stuck, simply pour more hot water into the jar and try prying it off again while the water is still warm.

Clean any leftover wax fragments. If there is still wax in the jar, use a scraper to remove it. You can also wash the jar with warm water and soap. Another way to clean the wax fragments is by soaking a cotton ball in baby oil and wiping it around the inside of the jar.

Repurpose the jar. Now you can reuse the jar however you like. Pour new wax into the jar to create another candle, or decorate it to use as a container for other items.

Place the candle jar in a sink or pot. If you have multiple candle jars to clean, you can place them in a sink or pot, as long as there's enough space for them to fit comfortably. This method isn’t very effective with candles made from very hard wax, but it works well for soy candles due to their lower melting point.

Pour hot water into the pot or sink. Do not pour the water above the level of the wax in the jar, and ensure that water does not spill into the wax. If you're using a sink, make sure to plug the drain.

Wait for the wax to soften. If you are using a soft wax, like soy wax, the waiting time will be short. Check if the wax has softened by pressing your finger into it. If your finger leaves an indentation, the wax is ready to be removed.

Remove the soft wax while the water is still warm. Don't remove the jar from the water just yet. Instead, hold the jar with one hand, and use the other hand to take a butter knife. Slide the knife between the wax and the glass wall. Gently wiggle the knife to work it under the wax layer. Push the knife handle to lift the wax off, or at least loosen it for easier removal.

Take the jar out of the sink or pot. If any wax remains in the jar, turn it upside down and gently tap the edge of the table to release the wax.

Remove the wick base if necessary. The wick base usually comes out with the wax, but if it sticks, use the tip of the butter knife to pry it off the bottom of the jar.

Wash off any leftover wax fragments. If there are any remaining wax bits inside the jar, wash it with warm water and soap. You can also use a cotton ball soaked in baby oil to wipe away the remaining wax.

Reuse the jar. The jar is now ready to be reused. You can paint or decorate it to store other items. Alternatively, you can attach a new wick and pour in melted wax to create a fresh candle.

Preheat the oven. Turn on the oven and set it to 94°C. This temperature is perfect for melting the candle wax.

Line the baking tray with aluminum foil. The foil protects the tray and makes cleanup much easier—just remove the foil, crumple it, and dispose of it. Be sure to cover the edges of the tray as shown in the picture to prevent the melted wax from spilling onto the tray when you take it out of the oven (otherwise, the next batch of cookies baked could smell like wax).

Place the jar upside down on the baking tray. You will put the tray in the oven and bake until the wax melts, so make sure there's enough space between each jar. If you have many jars or jars with a lot of wax, consider placing only a few jars on the tray at a time; otherwise, the melted wax may spill over into the bottom of the oven.

Place the baking tray in the oven and wait until the wax melts. After about 15 minutes, the wax will melt and cover the bottom of the tray. Do not leave the oven unattended as the molten wax can catch fire easily.

Remove the baking tray from the oven. Place the tray on a heat-resistant surface.

Lift the jar off the baking tray. The glass will be very hot, so make sure to use heat-resistant gloves.

Wipe the jar with a paper towel. There may still be some wax inside the jar, especially around the rim where it touched the melted wax.

Reuse the jar. Now you can attach a new wick and pour in melted wax to create a new candle. You can also decorate the jar to use for storing other items.