Article: How to Get Wax Out of a Candle Jar: 4 Easy Methods That Actually Work

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Jun 12, 2025Candle Care

How to Get Wax Out of a Candle Jar: 4 Easy Methods That Actually Work

If you’ve ever reached the bottom of a candle and wondered what to do next, you’re not alone. Figuring out how to get wax out of a candle jar can feel like a chore but it’s easier than you might think.

Think of it like solidified grease: once you soften it, it practically cleans itself. And with a little guidance, you’ll be ready to repurpose your candle jar—whether you’re turning it into a planter, a makeup brush holder, or refilling it with a clean-burning candle refill kit.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through four easy methods to get wax out of candle jars -- no fancy tools required. Each technique is effective, beginner-friendly, and low waste. The best one for you depends on what you have on hand and how hands-on you want to be.

Let’s dive in.

Method 1: Scoop Method

Ideal for: When you want to remove wax right away
Tools needed: Spoon or ice cream scooper, paper towel or small dish
Can excess wax be saved? Yes
Time required: ~15 minutes

If you’re short on time and don’t mind a little elbow grease, the scoop method is the quickest way to get wax out of a candle jar. It works especially well on softer waxes -- like our coconut soy wax blend or if the wax is still slightly warm.

Gently loosen the edges with a spoon or scooper and lift out the wax in chunks. Save it on a paper towel or dish for future use. If the wax is too firm, place the jar in warm water for a few minutes to soften. Once the wax is mostly out, wash the jar with hot, soapy water.

PRO TIP: Don’t toss the leftover wax. It can easily be reused to make wax melts, tea lights, or even combined with other saved wax to create one larger candle, helping to cut down on single-use waste and move away from throwaway culture .

To learn how to clean old candle jars, check out our guide on how to remove wax from candle jars.

Method 2: Freezer Method

Ideal for: Low-effort removal
Tools needed: Freezer access, spoon or butter knife
Can excess wax be saved? Yes
Time required: Several hours of freeze time and ~15 minutes of cleaning

The freezer method is a low-effort, hands-off technique -- perfect if you’re not in a rush. Pop your candle jar in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. Once frozen, the wax usually separates from the sides and pops out easily with a spoon or butter knife. Clean the jar with hot, soapy water to remove residue.

If you’ve been wondering how to get wax out of a candle jar without making a mess, this method is ideal—simple, effective, and requires no special tools. Easily prepare your jar for your next candle refill or creative project.

To learn how to clean old candle jars, check out our guide on how to remove wax from candle jars.

Method 3: Oven Method (Our Favorite)

Ideal for: Quick and low-effort cleanup
Tools needed: Oven, oven mitts, paper towel
Can excess wax be saved? Yes
Time required: 10–15 minutes melting and ~15 minutes cleaning

The oven method gives you the best of both worlds -- it’s quick and easy with minimal mess. Preheat your oven to 180°F (82°C), place jars upright on a baking tray, and heat for 10–15 minutes until wax melts. Using oven mitts, carefully remove the jars.

From here:

If you’re discarding the wax: Pour it directly into the trash, never down the drain, as it can clog your pipes.
If you’re saving the wax: Pour the melted wax into silicone molds. Once it cools and hardens, it’ll pop right out -- perfect for making wax melts, tea lights, or combining into one larger candle down the line.

We recommend silicone molds because they make wax removal super easy but technically, you can pour the wax into any heat-safe container. Just keep in mind it might be trickier to remove once solid. Once wax is removed, wipe out residue and wash with warm, soapy water.

This is our go-to method when it comes to how to get wax out of a candle jar, especially when prepping multiple at once. No scraping required.

To learn how to clean old candle jars, check out our guide on how to remove wax from candle jars.

Method 4: Boiling Water Method

Ideal for: Low effort, no oven access
Tools needed: Towel or newspaper, pot or tea kettle, spoon or butter knife
Can excess wax be saved? Yes
Time required: Several hours melting and ~15 minutes cleaning

The boiling water method is a gentle, low-effort technique—great if you don’t have access to an oven. Set the jar on a towel or newspaper to protect your surface. Use a spoon or butter knife to remove as much wax as possible. Then pour in boiling water, leaving space at the top.

As the wax melts and cools, it’ll rise and solidify into a disc. After a few hours, pop the wax out and set it aside for reuse. If needed, strain the water to catch any small wax bits (and remember: never pour wax down the drain). Wipe remaining residue with a paper towel and wash with hot, soapy water for a clean, repurpose-ready jar.

To learn how to clean old candle jars, check out our guide on how to remove wax from candle jars.

Effort Levels: Ranked

Still not sure which wax removal method to choose? Here's a quick breakdown by speed and effort. Once your jars are clean, they’re perfect to be repurposed into everyday essentials or prepped for your next candle refill using our Deconstructed Candles – eco-friendly candle refill kits.

Fastest Wax Removal Methods

Scoop method
Oven method

Lowest-Effort Wax Removal Methods

Freezer method
Oven method
Boiling water method

Our top pick? The oven method. It’s fast, mess-free, and no scraping required. It’s our go-to method for how to get wax out of a candle jar when prepping multiple vessels at once.

What to Do With Leftover Wax

Now that you’ve saved your leftover candle wax, you might be wondering what to do with it. Luckily, there are plenty of creative and eco-friendly ways to reuse candle wax! Here are some simple ideas to get you started. And if you’re feeling crafty, you can add extras like candle dye or mica powder to make your projects truly unique.

Wax Melts: Get creative with your leftover wax by making wax melts! There are tons of fun silicone molds to choose from—think flowers, fruits, succulents, and more. Adding colored dye or mica powder can take your wax melts to the next level.

Tea Light Candles: Use leftover wax to make tea light candles! Depending on how much wax you’ve saved, you can usually make one or two tealights. Simply prep your tea light containers, pour in the melted wax, and let it cool.

Tea Light Candle Containers

Make a New Candle: Once you’ve collected enough leftover wax, melt it down to create a whole new candle. It’s a cost-effective and sustainable way to get more use out of your wax and enjoy your favorite scents again.

Reusing leftover candle wax is not only easy but also supports a low-waste, sustainable candle routine.

Repurpose Your Candle Jar (Don’t Toss It!)

In a world full of single-use products, choosing to reuse and repurpose candle jars is a powerful way to live more sustainably. Once you know how to get wax out of a candle jar, you unlock a whole new world of creative uses.

Here are just a few ideas for giving your clean jar a second life:

Planter for succulents or herbs
Q-tip or cotton ball holder
Makeup brush or eyeliner organizer
Pen or desk accessory holder
Refilled candle using our Deconstructed Candle refill kits

Ready to reuse your jar? Here are some bestselling refill scents to try:

Sunday Morning (inspired by Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning)
Go Figure (inspired by Diptyque Figuier)
Tobacco Vanille (inspired by Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille)
Nomad (inspired by Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt)

By choosing to refill instead of replace, you’re actively reducing single-use waste and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable lifestyle.

In Conclusion

Learning how to get wax out of a candle jar might feel intimidating, but it’s simpler than you think. Whether you’re looking for a quick clean or a low-effort wax removal method, there’s something for every need:

Scoop Method: Fastest, ideal for small jobs and soft wax
Freezer Method: Hands-off, low effort—wax pops out once frozen
Oven Method: Our favorite—quick, efficient, and great for cleaning multiple jars
Boiling Water Method: Gentle and effective when an oven isn’t available

Once your jar is clean, the possibilities are endless -- refill it, repurpose it, or reinvent it. With our Deconstructed Candles, you can enjoy your favorite scents again while cutting down on single-use waste.

Redefining the way we candle goes beyond just great fragrance -- it’s about embracing sustainability, using cleaner ingredients, and adopting everyday low-waste, planet-friendly routines that help combat throwaway culture, one candle refill at a time.

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