“The holidays are over and now it’s time to start putting things away. If you burned some candles, you may just have to deal with this situation.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Holiday meals, romantic dinners, winter nights — all of these occasions become even more special with candlelight. Unfortunately, the clear light of day may reveal that wax from the lit candles has dripped and hardened on the sides and base of your candlesticks. The good news is that removing wax is relatively simple.
The best method, according to Deena M. Bermudez of the National Candle Association, is to chip at it with a blunt wooden or plastic stick, such as an emery board. Carefully chip away until all the wax is removed. Wipe the candlestick clean with a towel or cloth to get rid of the rest. It’s that easy.
If by chance there’s some residue left, then you may have a choice of cold or hot. For the cold method, you can try freezing the wax until it chips off easily.
Place the candlestick in a plastic bag to protect it from excessive moisture and put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes, then remove it and chip off or wipe off the remaining wax. Another option is to put an ice cube in a plastic bag and hold it on the wax until the wax freezes. “If candlesticks are placed in the freezer, ensure that they are completely dry before adding new candles, as water may have condensed on them,” Bermudez says. “Water in candleholders can result in the candle flame spitting.”
Freezing works well for some candlesticks but should not be used on antiques or ones made of wood, metal or a porous material. Instead, you’ll need to use the chipping method.
Another option, which is not recommended by safety experts, is heat. Running the candlesticks under warm water, if that won’t harm them, can help soften the wax. Dry them thoroughly and dispose of the wax in your trash, not your sink’s plumbing.
Originally published on HOUZZ, by Marianne Lipanovich