Candles are excellent elements for homecare and decor. They add life to any environment and create a warm ambiance. Unfortunately, while most people appreciate the beauty of candles, they cannot deal with the mess that follows or the difficulty of removing them from their containers.
Temperature manipulation and surface tension are the surest ways to stop candle wax from sticking to the glass. A gradual temperature change, either upward control by introducing heat or a downward control by freezing, dislodges the candle wax and stops it from sticking to the glass. Similarly, adjusting the surface tension between the glass and candle wax by introducing moisture—water will halt the wax-to-glass adhesion process.
This article has you covered whether you want to get rid of a candle wax mess on your favorite glass table, remove candle wax residue from a glass jar after burning, or recycle an old glass jar. So, let’s get started!
When to and When Not to Stop Candle Wax From Sticking to the Glass
Generally, when making container candles, especially glass jars, you want your candle to stick to the glass. The process of candle wax attaching to the glass container is wax-to-glass adhesion.
Essentially, a high and even wax-to-glass adhesion is desirable for making container candles because it’s pretty to look at and holds the candle firmly within the jar. In addition, excellent wax-to-glass adhesion means minimal wet spots.
Although it is fantastic to have the candle wax adhere to the glass container, there are several reasons and situations for not wanting candle wax to stick to the glass. Here are some:
- The need to recycle or reuse the glass
- To clean the glass mess from the candle wax
- To remove or get rid of old candle wax
- To remove or minimize wet spots
What Causes Candle Wax To Stick to Glass?
It is easier to stop candle wax from sticking to glass surfaces when you understand their causality. Essentially, candle wax and glass surfaces are dissimilar and require an adhesive force of attraction between their molecules.
The adhesive strength of attraction reasonably exists to allow the candle wax to maintain a good hold onto the glass. However, sudden temperature changes and other wet spot-causing factors result in stronger wax-to-glass adhesion that might be sometimes undesirable, especially when they create a mess or are challenging to come off.
Is It Bad for Candle Wax To Stick to Glass?
There is nothing terrible about candle wax sticking to glass because you can quickly stop the process if it becomes less desirable. Whether you want to get rid of a mess, reuse your glass container, or prevent wet spots, you decide when to allow or not allow candle wax to stick to glass surfaces.
How to Stop Candle Wax From Sticking to Glass Surfaces
There are many methods to stop candle wax from sticking to glass surfaces. Most wax removal methods involve temperature manipulation to remove the candle wax from the glass container. Here are some:
Deep Freeze
Deep freezing is probably the least method you might consider for stopping candle wax from sticking to the glass. However, believe it or not, it works effectively due to a significant temperature difference.
Since candle wax has a low melting point, freezing it only dislodges the adhesive force of attraction between the wax molecules and the glass surface, leading to shrinkage. Ideally, it would help if you aimed to freeze for about two to three hours to avoid freeze-cracking the glass container.
The candle wax rendered rock solid from freezing will pop out of the container neatly when you tap the bottom.
Boiling Water
Using boiling water is one of the most common methods for stopping candle wax from sticking to glass surfaces. However, it would be best to be careful with the water temperature as boiling water may not be favorable for thinner glass materials.
The best way to stop wax from sticking to glass using the boiling water technique is to pour boiling water into the glass jar. While the candle wax begins to melt, allow the water to cool slowly to allow the candle wax to float to the jar’s surface.
You can easily scoop the solid wax away, discard the water and wash the glass jar with soap and water.
The Oven Method
The oven method uses dry heat to stop candle wax from sticking to glass surfaces. First, you have to preheat the oven to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Next up, you line the oven with aluminum foil and place the candles upside-down on the foil.
Allow to heat for about 15 minutes when the wax melts and pools on the foil. You can now clean the glass containers with a dry sheet or wash them with soap and water.
Now that you know the various methods for stopping candle wax from sticking to glass surfaces, it is time to learn about the pros and cons of these methods. This way, you will find it easier to choose the best plan.
Pros and Cons of the Methods for Stopping Candle Wax From Sticking to Glass Surfaces.
| Stop Stick Method | Pros | Cons |
| Deep Freezing | Easy-to-use Suitable for thinner glass | Risk of freeze-cracking the glass |
| Boiling Water | Suitable for thicker glass Easy-to-use Saves time | Not suitable for thinner glass Risk of hot water burn |
| Dry heating (Oven) | Suitable for a large batch of glasses Easy-to-use Dry heat operation | Not suitable for patterned glasses Not suitable for thinner glass |
What To Do With Your Glass After Halting the Wax-to-Glass Adhesion
After stopping the wax-to-glass bonding, you can always create a new purpose for your glass jars. Here are a few examples:
- Use as a flower vase
- For storing makeup brushes
- For Storing stationary
- To Make a new candle, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1. How Do You Remove Leftover Candle Wax From a Glass Jar?
It is easy to remove leftover candle wax from a glass jar by manipulating the temperature. You can either increase the temperature by heating it or decrease the temperature by freezing it for a while. Either way, you will effortlessly get the candle wax out of the glass jar. Remember to wash the glass jar with soap and water.
Q.2. Why Is My Candle Wax Sticking to the Glass?
Candle wax sticks to glass surfaces because of a mild shrinkage caused by fluctuating temperatures during the pouring process. Also, air bubbles and water droplets can cause candles to stick to glass.
However, it is not always negative when candles stick to glass, especially when you need a container candle. It depends on the overall consistency and whether or not you are done using the candle.
Q.3. Can You Put Candle Wax in Any Glass?
You can put candle wax in any glass container, whether thin or thick glass materials. Baby food jars, recycled glass containers, glass from pickles, spaghetti sauce, or other food items are excellent examples of glass containers for putting candle wax. Also, you can source glass containers from your local stores.
Final Thoughts
Stopping candle wax from sticking to glass is a sensitive situation. The reason is that while it is suitable for candle wax to adhere to glass surfaces to create a perfect hold for your glass-contained candles, it is also less desirable when you want to get rid of used candle wax.
Also, you might need to stop candles from sticking to glass when you need to recycle the glass container. As a result, the safest way is to continuously adjust or control the temperature around the candle wax to make it come off quickly.
