When the candles in the glass jars are completely burned, the container is eventually left. To reuse or recycle it, the wax must first be eliminated in one way or another. Here are some simple methods to do this: choose the one you find easiest.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use the Freezer to Remove the Wax
Step 1. Look for a suitable used candle
This method will be most effective for jars that only have a small amount of wax on the bottom. Also, make sure the wick is not glued to the bottom of the bowl.
If the wick is glued to the bottom, the wax will not come off that easily. Instead, you could pour boiling water over the candle residue. To know how, read the section dedicated to this method
Step 2. Prepare the jar
Most jars shrink when you open, so the wax can get stuck when you try to remove it. You can prevent this by cutting the wax in the container with a butter knife. Once frozen, it will break into smaller pieces that are easier to take off than a large piece. Just insert the butter knife into the jar, hit the wax creating cuts and crevices. You can also use this technique with candle holders that have other shapes.
If you're using a classic straight-walled candle holder, you don't have to cut the wax to get it out
Step 3. Place the jar in the freezer
Place it on a stable surface so it doesn't fall off. The water expands when it freezes, while the wax shrinks. This means it will slide off the glass.
Step 4. Leave the jar in the freezer until the wax has frozen
It takes a minimum of 20-30 minutes, a maximum of a couple of hours.
Step 5. Remove the jar from the freezer
Once the wax has frozen, you can take the bowl out of the freezer. To make sure it is, try pressing it on a corner. If it moves or no longer feels stuck, then it is ready for removal.
Step 6. Remove the wax from the jar
Turn it upside down. The wax should slide off in no time. If it doesn't, you can gently tap the bowl against the surface of the table or kitchen worktop. You could also stick a butter knife between the wax and the glass, then pop it out by pressing the handle down.
Step 7. If necessary, remove the wick disc
If it's still stuck in the bottom of the jar, you should be able to get it out right away by sticking the tip of a butter knife underneath and pushing the handle down.
Step 8. Eliminate any debris
There may be tiny pieces of wax stuck in the jar. If this happens, you can scrape them off with a butter knife. They can also be removed by washing the container with soap and water or wiping with baby oil.
Step 9. Reuse the jar
At this point, you can give it a new use by inserting another wick and pouring fresh wax into it. You can also decorate it and use it to store pens, utensils or other items.
You can also store the wax. Melt it in a double boiler and use it to create new wax candles
Method 2 of 4: Use Boiling Water to Remove Wax
Step 1. Protect your work surface
With this method, you might get a little dirty around, so you should protect your countertop or table from wax splatters. You can put old towels or newspaper on the surface. You can also do this on an old baking sheet.
Step 2. Cut the wax
Stick a sharp knife into the candle jar (or any other candle holder) and start poking at the wax, making small gashes and crevices. This makes it melt faster. It also helps to let the water seep under the wax so that it separates from the glass.
Step 3. Pour the boiling water into the jar, but do not fill it completely
Eventually, the wax will begin to melt and float to the surface of the water.
Step 4. Let the jar cool for a few hours
After a few hours, the water will have cooled down and the melted wax will have become solid. The only difference is that it will float on the water, so it will be easier to remove it.
Step 5. Remove the wax from the container
Once it has hardened, you should be able to peel it off right away. As you do this, remember that the water may spill out.
Step 6. Remove the wick disc
You should be able to get rid of it by sticking a knife underneath. If it doesn't come off that easily, pour in some boiling water and try removing it again while the water is hot.
Step 7. Remove any residue
If there is any wax residue left in the jar, you should be able to remove it by scraping it off with a knife. You could also wash it with warm soapy water. Another method is to soak a cotton ball in baby oil and wipe it over the wax and glass.
Step 8. Reuse the jar however you like
You can pour some fresh wax into it to make another candle or decorate it and store various items.
You could reuse the old wax. Melt it in a double boiler and use it to make new candles
Method 3 of 4: Use Boiling Water and a Pot to Remove the Wax
Step 1. Place the jar in a sink or pot
If you need to clean multiple vessels, you can place them in a sink or pot, as long as they all fit in and there is enough space between them. This method may not work for candles made from very hard wax, but it may work for soy candles as the melting point is low.
Step 2. Fill the pot or sink with hot water
Make sure that the water level does not exceed the level of the wax by much and do not let the liquid wet it. If you will be using a sink, close the cap.
Step 3. Wait for the wax to soften
If it's very soft, like soy, it shouldn't take long. Press your finger on the wax to see if it has softened. If you can create a dent on the surface, that means it is ready to be removed.
Harder wax can be difficult to remove. Either way, the part touching the glass should soften enough that you can push it out by pressing on the edge
Step 4. Remove the softened wax while the water is still warm
For now, don't take the jar out of the water. Instead, hold it with one hand. Grab one butter knife with the other and stick the blade between the wax and the glass. Move the knife so that it fits exactly under the wax. Gently press the handle. This should cause the wax to come out, or at least melt it enough for you to get rid of it easily.
Step 5. Remove the jar from the sink or pot
If the wax is still inside the jar, you can remove it by turning it upside down and gently tapping it against the edge of the countertop.
Step 6. If necessary, remove the wick disc
It should come off with the wax, but if it doesn't, you can get rid of it by sticking the tip of a butter knife between the disc and the glass, then squeezing the handle.
Step 7. Remove the wax residue
If there are any bits of wax left in the jar, you can remove them by washing it with warm soapy water. You can also try wiping a cotton ball dipped in baby oil.
Step 8. Reuse the jar
At this point, the container can be recycled. You can paint or decorate it as you like, but also use it to store objects. Another possibility is to put a new wick in it and fill it with wax to recreate a candle.
You can recycle the old wax by melting it and turning it into a new candle
Method 4 of 4: Use the Oven to Remove the Wax
Step 1. Preheat the oven
Turn it on and set it to a temperature of around 90 ° C. It will be enough to melt the wax.
Step 2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil
Not only will it protect the pan, it will also make cleaning easier and faster: all you have to do is remove the aluminum foil, roll it up and throw it away.
Step 3. Place the jars upside down on the baking sheet
Since the wax will melt, make sure you leave enough space between each vessel. If you have a lot of them, or they contain a lot of wax, it would be best to put only a few containers on the pan at a time. Otherwise, the melted wax can overflow and drip to the bottom of the oven.
Step 4. Place the pan in the oven and wait for the wax to melt
After about 15 minutes, it should have melted, creating a kind of puddle on the surface of the pan. Do not leave the oven unattended. Melted wax is highly flammable.
Try to leave a window open. The melted wax will release scented oils. Sure the house will be filled with a pleasant smell, but the aroma can also give you a headache
Step 5. Remove the pan from the oven
Place it on a heat-resistant surface.
Step 6. Remove the jars from the pan
The glass will be hot, so be sure to protect your hands with an oven mitt.
Step 7. Clean the jars using a paper towel
There may be some residue left in the containers, especially around the rim, which came into contact with the melted wax.
If you can't remove the wax with a paper towel, then try washing the jar with soap and water, or wipe with a cotton ball dipped in baby oil
Step 8. Reuse the jar
At this point, you can put a wick in it and fill it with wax to create a new candle. You can also paint it and use it as a container for various objects, such as pens.
You could melt the old wax and use it to make smaller candles
Advice
- Before using the water, make sure the jar does not have labels that could get damaged due to immersion in the liquid.
- Soy wax dissolves in soap and water. It can be cleaned easily and is much greener than paraffin. Melted soy wax can also make a great body lotion.
- Before you finish the candle completely, immediately remove the new drops of wax from the jar and throw them away after each use. It will be easier to clean when it becomes unusable.
Warnings
- Make sure you don't pour the wax that has melted into the water down the drain. It will solidify in the tube and clog it.
- When the glass jar is frozen or comes into contact with boiling water, it risks shattering.
- Avoid overheating the glass: if it gets too hot or directly touches the electric plates, it could burst.
- Never use the microwave to melt the wax in jars. The disc that holds the wick in place is made of metal, so you risk breaking the microwave or starting a fire.
