What you’ll need
- Dish soap
- Very hot water
- A butter knife, spoon, or plastic scraper
- Paper towel or an old cloth
- Eucalyptus oil/rubbing alcohol
- A soft sponge
Step-by-step
1. Remove any loose wax first
If there are any chunks left inside, gently lift them out with a spoon or butter knife. Do not stab at the ceramic.
2. Soften the remaining wax
Fill the vessel with very hot water (not boiling), almost to the top, and leave it for 10–15 minutes.
The remaining wax should soften and float or loosen from the base.
3. Tip out the water
Pour the water out carefully once it has cooled a little. Wipe out the softened wax with paper towel.
*Note: Do not pour waxy water straight down the sink- if there are large wax bits in it, wipe those into the bin first.
4. Remove the metal wick tabs
Once the wax is softened, try to lift or twist the two silver discs on the bottom are the wick tabs off with your fingers, a spoon edge, or needle-nose pliers.
If they are glued down firmly, add a little more hot water first, then try again.
5. Break down the glue residue
If sticky glue remains on the bottom, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, orange power, or rubbing alcohol and gently rub with a soft sponge or cloth.
6. Tackle soot stains
If any dark staining/soot from the burning candle is present use dish soap on a warm damp paper towel, and rub it gently on the stained areas. Rinse with clean damp paper towel once they have been removed.
7. Wash with warm soapy water
Wash the whole vessel thoroughly using dish soap and a soft sponge, inside and out.
8. Repeat if needed
If the base still feels greasy or smells like candle fragrance, repeat the soap wash once more. A wipe with rubbing alcohol can help remove the last oily film.
A few things to avoid
- Do not use a sharp knife aggressively inside the vessel to avoid scratching.
- Do not use steel wool, as it may scratch the glaze.
- Do not put boiling water into very cold ceramic, as it could cause the vessel to crack.