<p>I've recycled several glass candle containers into &quot;whisky glasses&quot;. I put a squirt of washing up liquid in the bottom, then poured boiling water in, and left to soak/melt.</p>
<p>After they were mostly clean, rinsed out, then stuck in the sink, again with lots of washing liquid, and filled with boiling water.</p>
<p>Didn't get any breakages, and the &quot;glasses&quot; came out nice and clean - a couple needed a bit of extra scrubbing to loosen any &quot;baked on&quot; wax, but afterwards perfectly usable.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-06T10:17:58.270Z
2020-11-06T10:17:58.270Z
Nat
<p>According to quite a few web sites, but specifically <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/beeswax" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Science Direct</a>, beeswax is insoluble in water, but soluble in a few different liquids.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Beeswax is insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents, such as
ether, acetone, xylol, benzene, chloroform, and tetrachloromethane. In
order to completely dissolve the beeswax, the temperature must be
increased beyond its melting point (Stefan, 2009).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>For paraffin based wax solvents, the <a href="https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/17109/how-to-dissolve-candle-wax-paraffin">Chemistry SE</a> suggests other solvents, specifically toluene or xylene. I have a quart of toluene in my garage, which implies that it was purchased a local big-box store.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Ethanol and acetone are not non-polar organic solvents. Each one has a
slight dipole moment; due to the difference of electronegativity
between H and O in ethanol and between C and O in acetone. Wax is
composed of heavy, long-chain alkanes. And as &quot;Like dissolves like&quot;
try to dissolve your wax in toluene or in xylene.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In many of the links I viewed, elevated temperatures are indicated. Not explosive level heat, just warmer than room temperature, perhaps hot hot water temps.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-06T10:35:25.480Z
Have you had that toluene for a while? It's not as easy to buy in significant quantities as it used to be.  I don't think I'd use many of those solvents in something that's going to hold food anyway - even warmed for long periods to drive off the solvent itself, they're often not very pure.
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-09T19:29:22.013Z
Toluene has serious health risks and is now difficult to get in the consumer market.  Xylene is generally available.  However, waxes don't easily dissolve at room temperature.  You generally need to melt the wax, then slowly mix in the solvent.  The solvents evaporate quickly at room temperature, and much faster at the temperature of melted wax.  So the process should be done in a sealed environment, not in an open pan.  Even if it's a big enough space and small enough quantities to not reach an explosive concentration of vapor, (cont'd)
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-09T19:29:28.857Z
there is a serious fire risk because the vapor is easily ignited from any source of flame or spark even a good distance away, and serious health risks from breathing the amount of vapor generated.  Sorry, but -1 because this is bad and dangerous advice.
fixer1234
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-05T21:37:35.677Z
2020-11-05T21:37:35.677Z
fred_dot_u
<p>I've done similar things after using food containers for candles.  You may not actually need all these steps, but this is how to be very thorough.</p>
<p>What I'd do is put them in a cool oven, just hot enough to thoroughly melt the wax (100°C should be enough).</p>
<p>First, put them face down supported on wires over a drip tray.  The vast majority of the wax will run out.</p>
<p>Then, still hot, and holding using oven gloves, wipe the insides thoroughly with a dry rag.</p>
<p>In terms of food safety, while I doubt you could ever reuse the containers commercially within the rules, I'd probably be happy at that point to use containers from  unscented candles.  After all, paraffin wax and beeswax are both used in food.</p>
<p>I'd still go a step further though, and definitely if anything scented had been in there: Finally, put them through a dishwasher on a hot wash (70°C or above).  Paraffin wax and beeswax both melt a little below this, and once melted the dishwasher will remove the residue and any scent.  Shifting the scent may actually be the tricky bit.</p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/koreanmom/different-waxes-and-melt-points-for-candle-making-d3e03da397e" rel="noreferrer">Apparently</a> container candles are best made with lower melting point waxes anyway, so they should easily melt in the dishwasher.  The earlier steps were more to protect your filters. If any scent lingers after dishwashing, either give up on that container, or wipe round with cooking oil, then fill to the brim with hot soapy water.  Dishwash again after soaking.</p>
<p>Of course, there's no guarantee that the containers can withstand a dishwasher.  Paint (or glitter etc.) on the outside would be particularly likely to be damaged.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-05T21:10:02.120Z
What about if I don't have a dishwasher? Would pouring in some boiling water from a tea kettle do the trick?
jackwise
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-05T21:13:45.233Z
I wouldn't pour boiling water in directly.   It might break the glass. I'd wash in very hot soapy water - hot enough that you'd want to let it soak for a bit before putting your hands in.  That shoudl be adequate though it might not quite reach the melting point.
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-06T10:11:11.293Z
@jackwise Pouring boiling water in directly might also not break the glass. If you have trouble cleaning it otherwise, give it a try in the sink. Worst case you'll need to clean the shards from the sink. I regularly make tea in glass jars not rated for boiling water, the only time one broke was when I knocked against it when it was already stressed from the temperature.
Nobody
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-06T10:33:28.187Z
@Nobody prewarming in merely hot water, or putting in hot water then microwaving (if no metal parts) would be another option
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-06T11:50:50.180Z
Before putting any wax in your dishwasher, check its manual. Generally those say NOT to put wax in the dishwasher as the detergents can't bind wax and it'll clog the filters over time, destroying the dishwasher in the end. Also your dishwasher will end with a fine film of wax on every surface. Additionally any wax reaching the drainpipes will accumulate and clog those over time. For boiling water: make sure to prewarm the containers as the temperature difference in rather thick glass structures can make them break easily.
Tim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-06T13:05:36.433Z
@Tim exactly - get rid of essentially all the wax first, then just give it a final clean in the dishwasher.
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-06T15:14:07.320Z
I just tried this with some leftover containers - popped them in the oven for a bit, then gave them a rinse with hot soapy water and an old scrubber. I don't have a wire tray, I just placed them upside down over foil. Worked like a charm!
jackwise
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-05T21:08:20.537Z
2020-11-05T21:08:20.537Z
Chris H
<p>I buy lots of candles, which means I end up with lots of candle holders. I want to be able to reuse these containers, in some cases for food storage since some of the candles are in jars. This means I need to completely eliminate all of the wax.</p>
<p>How can I ensure that the container is free of any wax residue?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-06T10:37:31.810Z
A minor frame challenge - how about replacing some of the bought candles with home-made, reusing the containers?
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-06T15:11:59.137Z
@ChrisH I do reuse the leftover wax bits and make "garbage" candles, but I am not looking into turning it into a full hobby :)
jackwise
<upcycling>
How can I completely clean an old candle container?
jackwise
# How can I completely clean an old candle container?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-11-05)

I buy lots of candles, which means I end up with lots of candle holders. I want to be able to reuse these containers, in some cases for food storage since some of the candles are in jars. This means I need to completely eliminate all of the wax.

How can I ensure that the container is free of any wax residue?

**Tags:** upcycling

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: A minor frame challenge - how about replacing some of the bought candles with home-made, reusing the containers?  
> **username_0**: @ChrisH I do reuse the leftover wax bits and make "garbage" candles, but I am not looking into turning it into a full hobby :)  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-11-05. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

I've done similar things after using food containers for candles. You may not actually need all these steps, but this is how to be very thorough.

What I'd do is put them in a cool oven, just hot enough to thoroughly melt the wax (100°C should be enough).

First, put them face down supported on wires over a drip tray. The vast majority of the wax will run out.

Then, still hot, and holding using oven gloves, wipe the insides thoroughly with a dry rag.

In terms of food safety, while I doubt you could ever reuse the containers commercially within the rules, I'd probably be happy at that point to use containers from unscented candles. After all, paraffin wax and beeswax are both used in food.

I'd still go a step further though, and definitely if anything scented had been in there: Finally, put them through a dishwasher on a hot wash (70°C or above). Paraffin wax and beeswax both melt a little below this, and once melted the dishwasher will remove the residue and any scent. Shifting the scent may actually be the tricky bit.

[Apparently](https://medium.com/koreanmom/different-waxes-and-melt-points-for-candle-making-d3e03da397e) container candles are best made with lower melting point waxes anyway, so they should easily melt in the dishwasher. The earlier steps were more to protect your filters. If any scent lingers after dishwashing, either give up on that container, or wipe round with cooking oil, then fill to the brim with hot soapy water. Dishwash again after soaking.

Of course, there's no guarantee that the containers can withstand a dishwasher. Paint (or glitter etc.) on the outside would be particularly likely to be damaged.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: What about if I don't have a dishwasher? Would pouring in some boiling water from a tea kettle do the trick?  
> **username_1**: I wouldn't pour boiling water in directly.   It might break the glass. I'd wash in very hot soapy water - hot enough that you'd want to let it soak for a bit before putting your hands in.  That shoudl be adequate though it might not quite reach the melting point.  
> **username_5**: @username_0 Pouring boiling water in directly might also not break the glass. If you have trouble cleaning it otherwise, give it a try in the sink. Worst case you'll need to clean the shards from the sink. I regularly make tea in glass jars not rated for boiling water, the only time one broke was when I knocked against it when it was already stressed from the temperature.  
> **username_1**: @username_5 prewarming in merely hot water, or putting in hot water then microwaving (if no metal parts) would be another option  
> **username_6**: Before putting any wax in your dishwasher, check its manual. Generally those say NOT to put wax in the dishwasher as the detergents can't bind wax and it'll clog the filters over time, destroying the dishwasher in the end. Also your dishwasher will end with a fine film of wax on every surface. Additionally any wax reaching the drainpipes will accumulate and clog those over time. For boiling water: make sure to prewarm the containers as the temperature difference in rather thick glass structures can make them break easily.  
> **username_1**: @username_6 exactly - get rid of essentially all the wax first, then just give it a final clean in the dishwasher.  
> **username_0**: I just tried this with some leftover containers - popped them in the oven for a bit, then gave them a rinse with hot soapy water and an old scrubber. I don't have a wire tray, I just placed them upside down over foil. Worked like a charm!  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-11-06. Score: 4

I've recycled several glass candle containers into "whisky glasses". I put a squirt of washing up liquid in the bottom, then poured boiling water in, and left to soak/melt.

After they were mostly clean, rinsed out, then stuck in the sink, again with lots of washing liquid, and filled with boiling water.

Didn't get any breakages, and the "glasses" came out nice and clean - a couple needed a bit of extra scrubbing to loosen any "baked on" wax, but afterwards perfectly usable.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-11-05. Score: -1

According to quite a few web sites, but specifically [Science Direct](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/beeswax), beeswax is insoluble in water, but soluble in a few different liquids.

> Beeswax is insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents, such as
> ether, acetone, xylol, benzene, chloroform, and tetrachloromethane. In
> order to completely dissolve the beeswax, the temperature must be
> increased beyond its melting point (Stefan, 2009).

For paraffin based wax solvents, the [Chemistry SE](https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/17109/how-to-dissolve-candle-wax-paraffin) suggests other solvents, specifically toluene or xylene. I have a quart of toluene in my garage, which implies that it was purchased a local big-box store.

> Ethanol and acetone are not non-polar organic solvents. Each one has a
> slight dipole moment; due to the difference of electronegativity
> between H and O in ethanol and between C and O in acetone. Wax is
> composed of heavy, long-chain alkanes. And as "Like dissolves like"
> try to dissolve your wax in toluene or in xylene.

In many of the links I viewed, elevated temperatures are indicated. Not explosive level heat, just warmer than room temperature, perhaps hot hot water temps.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Have you had that toluene for a while? It's not as easy to buy in significant quantities as it used to be.  I don't think I'd use many of those solvents in something that's going to hold food anyway - even warmed for long periods to drive off the solvent itself, they're often not very pure.  
> **username_4**: Toluene has serious health risks and is now difficult to get in the consumer market.  Xylene is generally available.  However, waxes don't easily dissolve at room temperature.  You generally need to melt the wax, then slowly mix in the solvent.  The solvents evaporate quickly at room temperature, and much faster at the temperature of melted wax.  So the process should be done in a sealed environment, not in an open pan.  Even if it's a big enough space and small enough quantities to not reach an explosive concentration of vapor, (cont'd)  
> **username_4**: there is a serious fire risk because the vapor is easily ignited from any source of flame or spark even a good distance away, and serious health risks from breathing the amount of vapor generated.  Sorry, but -1 because this is bad and dangerous advice.  

---

