I have a candle crush! Yes, I said it. It’s true. I am obsessed with weddings and romantic tablescapes that are overflowing with candles. Candles are my passion as they make the table décor more whimsical, glamorous, and dreamy!
With this candle craze, I have spent a ton of money. Various votives, glass tubes, and hurricane vases don’t come cheap so I know how important it is to find an easy and inexpensive way to remove the leftover melted wax.
Are you also someone who is fascinated by the luxurious look of lit up crystal and mercury votives? Have you ever wondered how people removed the dried wax after all of the glitz and glam is over? Most people assume that it’s a very complicated process although it is actually quite easy to do.
Here are the simplest ways that actually work…
Old-Fashioned Soap & Water
- Place your glassware in the kitchen sink. Fill ¾ of the way with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap (my favourite is DAWN dish soap).
- Let your glassware soak for approximately 20-30 minutes (go flip the load of laundry, reply to an email, or eat lunch in the meantime).
- Set aside a teaspoon and paper plate.
- Once the glassware has soaked in the hot water for the recommended time, place your glassware on a towel.
- Gently insert a tablespoon and dig it under the wax (you might need to use a little muscle) then lift the spoon. The wax should slide right off of the glassware. If you find it to be difficult, let it soak for a little while longer (5-10 mins) and try again.
- Remove the wax pieces with your fingers or by using tongs and place onto the paper plate (for easy disposal).
- Once the larger pieces are removed, take a dish scrubber (a scrubby pad with a little grit, not a sponge) to lightly go over the glass to help remove any leftover waxy film.
- That’s it. You should be done. Dry your glassware by setting it aside on a drying rack, cloth or paper towel.
Freezing The Wax
- Place your candle container into the freezer. Make sure that the candle wax has cooled off and has hardened otherwise you will crack the glass.
- Let it sit in the freezer for 1-2 hours. This allows time for the wax to contract (the cold causes the wax to harden and shrink) which will help the wax pull away from the glass.
- Remove the container from the freezer.
- The wax should easily pop out of the glass (depending on the shape of the container).
- Take a butter knife or spoon to gently jab at the larger pieces of wax that may be left in the glass.
- Remove the wax with your fingers or a pair of tongs and place them onto a paper plate for easy disposal.
- Gently wipe out the glass with soap and water by using a scrubby cloth OR swab the glass with a cotton ball soaked in baby oil or vinegar to remove any more remnants.
Boiling Water
For larger vases and jars:
- Pour boiling water into the glassware, let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
- The wax should melt and eventually remove itself from the glass. It will float to the top of the glassware.
- Remove the wax with your fingers or a pair of tongs and place them onto a paper plate for easy disposal.
- Gently wipe out the glass with soap and water by using a scrubby cloth OR swab the glass with a cotton ball soaked in baby oil or vinegar to remove any more remnants.
If you find there to be a waxy film or remaining remnants after the glassware has been wiped out, feel free to place the items into the microwave for 15-20 seconds to heat up any leftover wax and repeat the cleaning process.
And you thought it was complicated! Nope, it’s simple and easy enough for anyone to do.
I regularly rent out candles and glassware for events, therefore it is very important that I clean them properly to get them sparkling for their next big event.
Here’s a tip… If removing wax just isn’t for you, consider floating candles instead – they look fabulous in cylinders and tall hurricane holders!
What simple hacks can you share?
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