How to Clean Metal Votive Molds After Candle Making

You just made your first set of candles. Now comes the hardest part of the candle-making process--candle mold cleanup. As you stare at the wax pieces clinging to the metal votive molds, you might think it will be difficult, but it isn't.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Metal votive molds
• Pan or cookie sheet with Ssides
• Aluminum foil
• Clean paper towels
• Baking or leather gloves

1. Preheat your oven. Use the lowest setting, usually somewhere between 150 and 175 degrees or use the "keep warm" setting if your oven has one.
2. Line a pan or cookie sheet that has side walls with aluminum foil. You can substitute paper towels for the foil, but use 3 or 4 layers of paper towels.
3. Place the metal votive pins and molds upside down on the cookie sheet or pan.
4. Insert the votive-filled cookie sheet or pan into the oven and heat 5 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on the candle molds the first time you do this. Some ovens may only require 5 minutes to melt the wax while others need 15 minutes.
5. Remove the pan or cookie sheet from the oven once you see that the wax has melted onto the foil or paper towels. Use gloves to protect your hands!
6. Give each candle mold a thorough wipe with a clean paper towel. When doing this, make sure you wear protective gloves that allow you to keep a firm grip on the molds because the metal votive molds will still be warm.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are uncomfortable with this process, you can buy candle mold cleaners at many craft retailers to clean each mold by hand. Mold cleaners are also recommended for stains and wax build up.
• Be careful while handling your molds. Any dents or scratches made to the mold will show up in future candles.
• Metal and glass candle molds can be placed in the dishwasher, but you run the risk of possibly scratching a mold.