How to Clean Used Candle Jars

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Things You'll Need

  • Bowl

  • Water

  • Paper towel

  • White vinegar

  • Sponge

  • Clean towel

  • Old dryer sheet

Candles often come in decorative jars that many of us throw away once the candle burns out. Rather than toss the jars, repurpose them to use for other crafts, as decorative containers or to hold homemade candles. A small amount of candle wax remains inside the jars after the candle is spent, therefore you'll need to remove it before reusing the jars. Use supplies you have at home to remove both the candle wax and wax residue.

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Step 1

Fill a bowl with the hottest tap water possible. Set your candle jar in the hot water and leave it there for five to 10 minutes. The hot water melts any leftover candle wax in the jars, making it easier to remove.

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Step 2

Remove the jar from the hot water. Stuff a wadded paper towel into the jar to absorb the molten wax. Lift and discard the paper towe after a minute or two, then rinse the candle jar in hot tap water .

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Step 3

Pour straight white vinegar onto a clean sponge. Wipe the inside and outside of the jar to remove any wax residue. Rinse the jar with water and dry with a clean towel.

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Step 4

Buff the inside of your jar with a used dryer sheet. The dryer sheet removes greasy wax residue that remains in the jar.

Tip

Remove wax from a jar by placing the jar in the freezer for a couple hours then prying the wax out with a table knife.

Spray a jar with non-stick baking spray before placing a new candle in it. This makes it easier to pop out the leftover wax once the candle is finished burning.

Warning

Avoid touching hot wax, which may burn your skin.

Do not pour hot wax down a drain, as it will harden in the pipes.

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