High quality candles are not cheap but you’re paying for more than just quality materials and a clean burn. Luxury scented candles, such as LAFCO’s, are often presented in beautiful vessels that enhance the fragrance experience and add to your home’s ambiance. What you may not realize is that the life of that vessel doesn’t have to end when the flame finally burns out.
All LAFCO fragranced candles come in artisanal blown-glass vessels colored to complement the featured fragrance. Lit or unlit, LAFCO candles can add an element of artistry to your home décor scheme, but you can continue to enjoy the beauty of your vessels after the wax has been depleted.
Here’s what you need to know in order to remove the wax from your LAFCO jar vessels so you can reuse them in any number of creative ways.
Step-by-Step Guide for Removing Wax From Your Jar Vessel
When used correctly, a LAFCO fragranced candle can burn for hours on end. A 30-ounce 3-wick candle offers up to 120 hours of burn time and the new 86-ounce candle can last twice as long – or longer. At the end of your candle’s life, it only takes a few simple steps to remove the leftover wax in preparation for repurposing the vessel.
Here’s how to clean your candle vessel before repurposing it:
- Allow the candle to burn out and let the remaining wax cool completely.
- Place the vessel in the freezer overnight to harden the wax for at least 8 to 10 hours.
- Use a dull butter knife or spoon to scrape out the hardened wax by hand.
- Warm the vessel by soaking in a sink full of hot water—adding boiling water to a cold vessel could cause the glass to crack.
- Set the vessel on the counter and fill with boiling water, leaving 1 inch of space at the top.
- Let the vessel set for a few hours until the remaining wax melts, floats to the surface, and solidifies.
- Remove the solidified wax then thoroughly wash the vessel with warm soapy water.
The process to remove leftover wax can be complicated by the size and shape of the vessel. Small, narrow vessels can be tricky to work with if you find yourself having to scrape out the wax by hand. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can try to remove stubborn wax.
Tips for Removing Stubborn Wax From Your Jar
The key to a clean, long-lasting burn is to trim the candle wick before each use and to let the top layer of wax melt completely before extinguishing the flame. Knowing how to burn candles correctly will enhance your fragrance experience and help you get the most out of each one. It will also make it easier for you to clean the vessel when it comes time to repurpose it.
If you’re having trouble getting the wax out of your glass vessel, here are a few things to try:
1. Oven
Ideal for preparing multiple glass vessels at once, this method is very simple. Just preheat the oven to 150 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place the jars upside down on the baking sheet and transfer them to the oven. It should take about 10 to 15 minutes for the wax to melt and pool in the baking sheet at which point you can remove the vessels and clean them.
2. Hair Dryer
If you only have a thin layer of wax left to remove, a little spot-warming with a hair dryer might get the job done. Hold the vessel with an oven mitt to protect your hands and aim the hair dryer at the vessel. Concentrate on the bottom and sides of the glass where the wax has pooled and heat it until it has softened enough to be scraped out of the vessel.
3. Double Boiler
Certain types of wax may not take well to the high heat of an oven or hair dryer in which case a gentler method might be best. Creating a double boiler without directly exposing the candle to heat will help soften the wax so you can remove it more easily. Simply place the candle in a large saucepan or flat-bottomed bowl and pour hot water into the container around it.
Depending on the size of the candle and the thickness of the wax you may need to pour out and replace the water once or twice, but the wax should soften around the edges, making it easier to remove.
4. Heat Gun
Not everyone has a heat gun lying around, but if you’re an avid DIYer you might just have one on hand. Just place the vessel on a heatproof surface and aim the heat gun at the areas of stubborn wax. When the wax melts, you can wipe it out using a paper towel or rag.
Don’t rush the process of removing leftover wax from your glass vessel – if you’re not careful, you might end up damaging it. How well these tricks work may depend on the type and quality of the jar, so do yourself a favor and start with a high-quality vessel from a reputable brand like LAFCO.
When it comes to repurposing your vessel, there are plenty of ways you can go. LAFCO glass vessels make beautiful drinking glasses and vases. They’re also perfect for creating an indoor container garden for fresh herbs.
Turn your empty LAFCO vessel into a cocktail glass and enjoy one of these tasty recipes.