How to Get Wax Out of a Jar Candle

Often jar candles are gifts and we treasure the smell and look of them. After a time we finally break down, decide to burn them and receive the gift of their scent for many days. When they finally burn down to the bottom of the jar, we would like to keep the jar as a memento but can't figure out how to remove the remaining wax.

Instructions

1. Place water in the jar or holder before you place the candle in it. When you light the candle and have used it down to the bottom, the small amount of water that you started with in the jar should allow the leftover wax to slip free. Remove it and discard it. You can then use the jar or holder for another candle, as a gift container or candy jar.

2. Take the jar and put it in the freezer for an hour or two. As the jar and wax are in the freezer, the low temperature will cause the wax to shrink and pull away from the glass wall and bottom of the jar. Remove the jar from the freezer and the leftover wax should pop right out. Now you are ready for your next project for the jar.

3. Heat water on the stove and pour the hot water into the jar. The heat will liquefy the wax and it will float to the top. Be especially careful to place something over the drain to catch the wax. Wax buildup in your pipes will cause major problems down the road.

Tips & Warnings

• If the fragrance of the candle still lingers in the jar, try soaking the jar in a solution of vinegar overnight and then scrubbing it with a paste made from baking soda and a little water. This should remove any traces of the old fragrance. This will make it useful for another craft idea or as a gift container for something edible.