How to melt candle wax in jar

Our easy melt-and-pour method saves the last bit of this home essential.

If you want to use scent to create a soothing atmosphere in your home, lighting a candle achieves this effortlessly—that is, until your candle burns down to the very last traces of wax. No one wants to toss candles when there's still some wax left, but it's nearly impossible to burn the wick when the scent wax won't be able to melt evenly. So, can the wax from nearly depleted candles be salvaged? The simple answer is yes. The best thing to do is melt down the remaining wax and pour it into a smaller votive—et voilà, you have yourself a new candle. Make sure you combine all the same type of wax (beeswax, paraffin, or soy).

Before tackling this do-it-yourself idea, keep in mind what type of wax you are melting from the candle. According to Kathy LaVanier, President of the National Candle Association (NCA), candles come in paraffin wax, synthetic wax, soy wax, coconut wax, palm wax, beeswax, stearic acid, and gelled mineral oil varieties. The candle expert also notes that liquid paraffin can be helpful to prep for candle wax removal. "Simply put a little on a paper towel and use it to wipe away [excess] wax," she says. "Also, never use a knife or a sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass votive holder. It might scratch or weaken the glass, causing it to break upon subsequent use."

melt-and-pour candle wax

Credit: Courtesy of Brown Bird Design

First, melt candles in a small pan set over a large pan of simmering water. (The melting point of different waxes ranges from 100 to 145 degrees.) Once the wax is melted, remove old wicks with tongs and toss them out. Cut a piece of wicking (available at crafts stores) two inches taller than the votive holder. Knot one end and thread through a wick tab (also available at crafts stores); tie the free end around a wooden skewer. Dip wicking and tab into the melted wax to coat them. Remove, then press the tab to the bottom of the holder. Rest the skewer on the votive's rim. Pour melted wax into the votive holder, stopping a half inch below rim. Let stand until it sets, about one hour. To even the well at the center, pour more wax into the center until it's one-fourth inch below rim.

If you prefer another tactic to salvage wax instead of the melt-and-pour method, you can also try these best practices: "Wax drippings can be removed from most candleholders by running hot water over them," LaVanier says. "Some home care experts prefer removing wax by first placing the candleholder in the freezer for an hour or so. This allows the wax to shrink and easily pop out when the candleholder is removed from the freezer." If you simply want to find new ways to use the remaining wax from candles, you can recycle into different homemade projects. "If that leftover candle end happens to be beeswax, there are all kinds of uses for it. Rub it on a toboggan, a sticky drawer, or wooden window sash to ensure it slides smoothly. Use it to preserve bronze and copper objects, or wax string before sliding beads on it when making a necklace or bracelet," LaVanier shares.

So you’ve justified buying a pricey candle by telling yourself you’ll reuse the jar when the candle is gone, only to find that you’re left with a waxy mess. We hear you. But it is possible to turn that wax-clad container into a vase or a catchall for trinkets. Learn how to get wax out of a candle jar—no matter what shape or size—and give those containers a new life. You don’t need any special equipment or a ton of time—just a kitchen and some patience. Read on to find out how to get wax out of a candle jar once and for all.

1. Freeze the Candle Wax

Cold causes wax to harden and shrink, making it easier to remove, hence the old trick of using ice cubes to get wax out of carpets. Use a butter knife—or a spoon if your wax is soft—to break up any large chunks of wax that remain in the container if the jar has a narrow mouth. Place the candle in the freezer for several hours or until it is frozen. The wax should pop right out of the container, but you can also loosen it with a butter knife if necessary. Scrape off any residue and then clean the container with soap and water.

2. Use Boiling Water

Hot water can also be used to remove wax. Put the candle on a surface protected with a towel or newspaper. Use a butter knife or spoon to remove as much wax as you can. Pour boiling water into the container, leaving room at the top. (If your candle is made of a soft wax, such as soy wax, you can use hot water that’s not boiling.) The boiling water will melt the wax and it will float to the top. Let the water cool and remove the wax. Strain the water to get rid of any small wax bits. (Don’t pour wax down the drain.) Scrape any remaining wax and clean with soap and water.

3. Use the Oven

This method works well if you have several containers to clean at once. Scrape out as much wax as you can with a butter knife or spoon. Heat the oven to 180 degrees and line a rimmed baking pan with tinfoil or one or two layers of parchment paper. Place the candles upside down on the pan and set the pan in the oven. The wax will melt in about 15 minutes. Remove the pan and place on a heat-safe surface. Hold the container using a towel or pot holder and wipe the inside with a paper towel. Let the container cool and then clean with soap and water.

4. Create a Double Boiler

Remove as much wax as you can with a butter knife or a spoon. Place the candle inside of a pot or large metal bowl on a heat-safe surface. (You can put a folded dish towel under the candle to keep it from moving in the pot.) Pour boiling water into the pot around the candle, making sure that the water does not get into the candle jar. Let the jar sit in the hot water until the wax has softened. Hold the jar in one hand and use a butter knife to loosen the wax. Remove the container from the water, pop out the wax, and then wash with soap and water.

Can you melt candle wax in a glass container?