Candle Barn Guide

Care and storage

Storing candles, cleaning up wax and reusing jars

A little care keeps candles looking and smelling their best between uses, and a few household tricks deal with the wax that ends up where it shouldn't.

Storing candles

  • Keep them cool and out of sunlight. Heat can soften wax and make it sweat or bend, and sunlight can fade colors.
  • Keep the lids on. A lid keeps out dust and helps a scented candle hold its fragrance.
  • Lay tapers flat. Standing tapers can bend in a warm cupboard. Wrap them in paper so colors don't rub off on each other.
  • Store away from the stove and radiators. Even a few hours of warmth can warp a pillar.
  • Keep scented and unscented apart if you want the unscented ones to stay that way.

Most candles keep for a long time when stored this way, though scented candles can slowly lose strength over the years. If a stored candle has a dusty top, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth before you light it.

Wax on fabric

  1. Let the wax harden completely. An ice cube in a plastic bag speeds this up.
  2. Gently scrape off as much as you can with a dull knife or a spoon.
  3. Place a plain paper towel or brown paper over the spot and press with a warm iron on a low setting. The paper soaks up the melted wax. Move to a clean part of the paper and repeat.
  4. If a colored mark is left, treat it as a stain and wash as the care label allows.

Test the iron on a hidden spot first, and check the care label. Some fabrics can't take heat, and dyed wax can leave a mark that needs a stain remover or a professional cleaner.

Wax on carpet and tables

On carpet, harden and scrape the wax the same way, then use paper and a low iron, keeping the iron moving so the fibers don't scorch. On a hard table, let the wax harden, then ease it off with a plastic card. A little warmth from a hair dryer on a low setting softens what is left so you can wipe it away. Avoid metal scrapers on wood, and test any cleaner on a hidden spot.

Cleaning out old candle jars

Once a container candle reaches its last 1/2 inch, the jar can have a second life for pens, cotton pads or small plants. There are two common ways to get the last of the wax out:

  • The freezer. Put the jar in the freezer for a few hours. Many waxes shrink as they get cold and pop out in one piece with a butter knife. This works best with harder waxes.
  • Hot water. Set the jar in the sink, and pour in hot water. The wax softens and floats to the top; once the water cools, lift the wax off. Use hot tap water rather than boiling water, which can crack glass, especially thin or cold glass.

Pry off the metal wick tab, wash the jar with warm soapy water, and dry it. Don't pour wax or waxy water down the drain, because it can set in the pipes; let it harden and put it in the trash. Recycle a cracked or chipped jar where your local rules allow, and don't reuse it.

Leftover wax

Small chunks of leftover wax from a scented candle can go in a wax warmer designed for melts. Follow the warmer maker's instructions, and don't mix in pieces with bits of wick or debris. You can also re-melt clean leftovers for a new candle, as described in the candle making guide, though the scent and color of a mixed batch can be hard to predict.