How to Clean Candle Jars
Ready to safely clean out your almost empty candle jars and give them new purpose? Coconut wax has a lower melting point than most other waxes, so it softens and remove easily with heat. Here are two ways to apply heat — one inside the jar, and one around it — to clean out your empty Plural Supply candle jars.
Tip: It’s best to stop burning your candle when about 1cm of wax remains. Continuing to burn a candle past this point can let the bottom of the jar get too hot, and cause heat damage to the surface that the jar is resting on.
Before you start, remove the label from the jar.
1. The hot water method
Bring some water to a boil, and pour the water into the jar. Leave at least 1cm of room at the top of the jar.
As the wax melts, you’ll see it rise to the top of the water. Give the wax some time to cool and harden again — this takes a few hours to overnight.
Once the wax has hardened, you can take out the piece of wax. If any smaller pieces remain, scoop them out with a spoon.
Pour the water out, and wash your jar with soap and a soft sponge.
After a few hours or overnight, the hardened wax can be removed more easily.
2. The double broiler method
Immerse the bottom of the jar in a pot or large bowl of hot water. When the edges of the wax soften, gently detach the wax from the glass with a butter knife, and pop out the wax.
Alternatively, fill the pot or bowl with freshly boiled water and wait a little longer for the wax to melt fully. Once the wax is completely liquid, take the jar out of the water and pour the wax into the bin.
Finish cleaning your jar by washing with soap and a soft sponge.
Repurpose your candle jar to hold brushes, stationery or other bits and pieces that need organising.
3. The microwave method
Place the jar in the microwave for 30 seconds. If the wax has not fully melted, pop the jar back in the microwave for another 30 seconds.
Carefully take the jar out of the microwave, and pour the melted wax into the bin. Once you have removed the wax, give your jar a wash with soap and a soft sponge and your clean jar is ready to repurpose.
Make sure not to pour any wax down the sink! The wax will harden, and easily clog the sink.
Take care of the hot jar and pot throughout the process — handle with a towel or oven mitts, and place your pot or bowl on a coaster or towel to protect your countertop.
We’re committed to reducing packaging waste and keeping materials in use for as long as possible. If you’re not saving your Plural Supply empties for your own use, we’d love it if you returned them to us for further use!
Find out where we collect empty jars or how you can arrange for a pick-up for your jars here.