logo
shopping cartCart
Candles

How to Easily Get Wax Out of a Candle Jar

There’s nothing quite like a scented candle to make your home warm and inviting. But it can be unappealing when the candle has burned down to just a jar of wax. Luckily, there are a few simple methods to get the wax out of your candle jar easily.

What You Will Need To Get The Wax Out

The good news is that you likely have everything you need to remove wax from a candle jar already in your home. There are two ways to remove the wax, a hot method, and a cold method. 

For the hot method, you will need a hair dryer. For the cold method, you will need a bag of ice cubes. And for both methods, you will need a paper towel.

Before you begin, ensure the candle jar is placed on a flat surface. Keeping the jar on a flat service will ensure that the wax does not spill out while attempting to remove it. Additionally, you may want to wear gloves to protect your hands from the heat or cold.

The Hot & Cold Methods Of Removing Wax

The Hot Method

One way to remove wax from a candle jar is to use heat. You can do this with a hair dryer set to the low setting. Hold the hair dryer about six inches from the surface of the wax and wave it back and forth until it has melted. Once the wax is melted, use a paper towel to wipe it away.

Be careful when using a hair dryer to melt the wax. The wax can become very hot and cause burns if it comes into contact with your skin. Additionally, the heat from the hair dryer can cause the glass of the candle jar to become hot, so be sure to use a cloth or oven mitt to handle the jar after the wax has been removed.

The Cold Method

If you don’t want to use heat or the wax is still too hard to remove, you can try using cold water. First, fill a bowl with ice cubes and water. Then, hold the candle jar upside down over the bowl and allow the ice water to drip onto the wax. The cold water will cause the wax to shatter, making it easy to remove. Use a paper towel to wipe away the wax.

Be sure to use caution when using cold water to remove wax. The water can cause the glass to become brittle and break if it is exposed to the cold for too long. 

The wax may be difficult to remove if it is too cold. If this is the case, you can try using a butter knife to scrape away the wax.

Removing Any Remaining Wax Residue

Once you have removed all of the wax from the candle jar, you may notice a light film of wax residue remaining on the glass. To remove the wax, wipe the jar with a clean paper towel dampened with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol will dissolve the wax residue, leaving your candle jar clear.

If the wax residue is particularly stubborn, you can try using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to scrub the residue gently. Be sure to use a light touch, as rubbing too hard can scratch the glass. Once you have removed the wax residue, rinse the jar with warm water and dry it with a clean cloth.

How To Prevent Wax Buildup In Your Candle Jar

To prevent wax buildup in your candle jar, trim the wick before each use. Trimming the wick will help the candle burn more evenly and prevent the wick from becoming too long and creating a pool of wax around it. 

You should also avoid using your candle for more than four hours at a time. Allowing the candle to burn for too long can cause excess wax to accumulate on the sides of the jar. Store your candle in a cool, dry place to prevent further wax buildup.

Solving Common Issues with Removing Wax from Candle Jars

If you are having difficulty removing wax from your candle jar, there are a few things you can try. 

First, wait until the wax is completely cooled before attempting to remove it. Trying to remove hot wax can cause it to melt and become even more difficult to remove. If the wax is still too hard to remove, try heating it with a hair dryer or placing the jar in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes.

If the wax is still not coming off, you can use a butter knife or other flat utensil to scrape the wax off gently. Be sure to use a gentle scraping motion and avoid applying too much pressure, which can cause the candle jar’s glass to crack. 

If the wax is still not coming off, you can try using a solvent such as rubbing alcohol or acetone to dissolve the wax. Be sure to use these solvents in a well-ventilated area and wear protective gloves.

96NORTH Premium Candles

96NORTH sells the best soy wax candles on the market. We have a wide variety of naturally-scented candles, such as Madagascar vanilla and tropical coconut, which can transform your home into a serene, relaxing landscape.

Allow our candles to carry you to distant countries, atmospheres, and settings. Embrace their fragrance and journey through the aroma of beautiful exotic beaches and jaw-dropping lush jungles. 

Allow the luxurious scents of 96NORTH’s candles to turn your house into a comfortable and relaxing home. Shop our selection of soy scented candles on our website.

FAQs

How to get wax out of a candle jar with hot water?

Boiling water can melt the wax off your candle jar. If you own a soy wax candle, you don’t need to use boiling water; hot water will do. The wax should peel off the sides of the jar and float to the top. 

Will boiling water break candle glass?

Boiling water can break your candle glass if the glass is too thin. If you’re worried that the jar is too thin, try using the cold method to remove the wax residue. 

What is the easiest way to remove candle wax?

Applying heat to the candle wax and melting it is the easiest way to remove it. You can use hair dryers or hot water to soften wax, making removing it much easier.