Every candle reaches a point where the wick can no longer burn but there's always a little wax left at the bottom that never gets used. If you have a Mimi & August candle, that also means you have a ceramic cup worth keeping. All it needs is a quick clean.
Here are three methods to remove leftover wax from your candle jar, ranked from easiest to most hands-on. Pick the one that suits you and you'll have a clean cup ready to refill or repurpose in under 30 minutes.
Before You Start: A Few Things to Know
Whatever method you choose, keep these in mind:
- Never pour liquid wax down the drain. It solidifies in pipes and causes blockages. Dispose of it in the bin once solid, or repurpose it in a wax warmer.
- Remove the wick tab last. The small metal tab at the bottom usually lifts out easily once the surrounding wax is gone. A butter knife or spoon works well.
- Our ceramic cups are dishwasher-safe. Once the wax is out, you can finish the clean in the dishwasher no need to hand-scrub.
Method 1: Boiling Water (Our Favourite)
This is the simplest method and the one we recommend most. No special equipment needed just a kettle.
How to do it:
- Boil your kettle and pour the hot water directly into the candle cup, filling it most of the way.
- Let it sit undisturbed as the water cools this takes a couple of hours.
- As the water cools, the wax melts, floats to the surface, and resolidifies into a disc you can lift right out.
- Pour out the water, wipe the inside with a paper towel, and wash with warm soapy water or run it through the dishwasher.
The wax disc that forms can be dropped into a wax warmer or diffuser to get the last of the fragrance out of it before discarding.
Best for: Most people, most situations. Minimal effort, great results.
Method 2: The Freezer Method
This method works by using cold to shrink and contract the wax, pulling it away from the sides of the cup so it pops out cleanly.
How to do it:
- Place your candle cup in the freezer and leave it for at least two hours a few hours is ideal.
- When you take it out, the wax will have contracted and pulled away from the ceramic walls.
- Use a spoon or butter knife to gently pop the wax out in one or two pieces.
- Remove the wick tab, wipe out any residue, and wash as usual.
The wax that comes out is solid and easy to handle. Pop it into a wax warmer to enjoy the last of the scent.
Best for: People who want a no-heat, hands-off approach. Works especially well when there's a larger amount of wax remaining.
Method 3: The Stovetop Method
This is the most thorough method useful if you want to fully melt and recover the remaining wax rather than simply removing it.
How to do it:
- Place your candle cup inside a small saucepan.
- Add water to the saucepan until it reaches about halfway up the outside of the cup don't let water get inside the cup.
- Heat on low. The water acts as a gentle double boiler, slowly melting the wax inside the cup without direct heat.
- Once the wax is fully liquid, carefully remove the cup from the pan using tongs or oven mitts.
- Pour the melted wax into a wax warmer, a spare container, or onto a lined baking sheet to solidify for later use.
- Wipe the cup clean while still warm, remove the wick tab, and wash normally.
Best for: Anyone who wants to make the most of every last bit of wax especially if you have a wax warmer at home.
What to Do Once the Cup Is Clean
Once your cup is clean, you have two great options.
The first and the one we designed the cups for is to refill it. Our soy wax candle refills fit directly into your existing ceramic cup. Hand-poured in our South Shore of Montreal workshop with the same natural soy wax, non-toxic fragrance oils, and lead-free cotton wick as the original. New scent, zero new packaging, lower price than a full candle.
The second option is to repurpose it. A clean Mimi & August cup makes a great coffee mug, desk organizer, mini planter, or part of a drinkware set for entertaining and since our ceramic is both dishwasher-safe and microwave-safe, it holds up to real daily use. We have a full list of ideas in our post on how to reuse your candle jar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which wax removal method is the easiest?
The boiling water method is the simplest. Pour hot water into the cup, let it cool for a couple of hours, and the wax floats to the surface as a solid disc you can lift right out. No tools, no heat source beyond a kettle.
Can I pour the leftover wax down the drain?
No, wax solidifies in pipes and can cause blockages. Once the wax is solid, dispose of it in the bin. Better yet, drop it into a wax warmer or diffuser to enjoy the last of the fragrance before discarding.
How long should I leave the cup in the freezer?
At least two hours, and a few hours is ideal. The wax needs enough time to contract fully and pull away from the ceramic walls. Once it has, it pops out cleanly in one or two pieces.
Is it safe to put my ceramic cup in the dishwasher after cleaning?
Yes. Once all the wax is removed, our ceramic cups are fully dishwasher-safe. Just make sure the wax is completely out before putting the cup in wax in the dishwasher can cause residue buildup on other dishes.
Can I refill my cup once it's clean?
Absolutely, that's exactly what it's designed for. Our soy wax candle refills fit directly into your existing Mimi & August ceramic cup. Clean cup, new scent, zero new packaging.
What can I do with the leftover wax once it's removed?
If you have a wax warmer or ceramic diffuser at home, drop the wax in and gently heat it. You'll get the last of the fragrance without any flame. Otherwise, let it solidify fully and dispose of it in the bin.