How to Clean a Votive Holder

Votive candle holders add a touch of light and ambiance wherever they're placed.

Votive candle holders display smaller-sized candles, either alone or in a group. When the candle inside the votive holder burns down, it usually leaves some wax residue behind. In order to reuse your votive holder, you should remove the candle wax and clean out the holder so the new candle fits inside properly. When a new votive candle is pushed inside the holder on top of old wax, the new candle may drip over the edge and stain the furniture surface.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic zip bag
• Table knife
• White vinegar
• Clean cloths
• Old dryer sheet

Instructions

1. Place your votive holder inside a plastic zip bag. Seal the bag and set it in your freezer. Leave the votive holder there for at least an hour, until the wax is frozen.

2. 

   A table knife helps remove wax chunks from your votive holder.

   Remove the votive holder from the freezer. Use the dull side of a table knife to help pop out the frozen candle wax from inside the holder.

3. Dampen a clean cloth with straight white vinegar. Rub the inside of the votive holder with the vinegar-soaked cloth to remove candle wax residue. Dry the candle holder with a clean cloth.

4. Buff inside your votive holder with an old dryer sheet. The old dryer sheet removes any remaining waxy film and shines the holder, as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Coat the inside of your votive holders with baking spray so the remaining wax chunk pops right out.

• Melt wax residue by submerging your votive holders in hot water.

References

• Beeswax Candle Company: Wax Removal Tips: Candle Holders
• Reader's Digest: 150 Household Uses for Vinegar: Remove Candle Wax