Getting Wax to Come Off Your Crystal: Technique Can Be Used for Candlesticks and Other Crystal Ware

Crystal candlesticks hold candles as they burn and depending on the shape and style, they pick up the candle light and cascade it around a room. Keeping them clean and free from regular wax drippings does not have to be a chore. If you have several candlesticks to maintain, gathering them all up and cleaning them at the same time could be possible. You'll need to gather the supplies for the project ahead of time.

Pry off as much of the wax as you can from each candlestick with a plastic spatula and place it aside. Use a toothpick for hard to reach grooves. You may not be able to get all of it out at this time. This is OK.

Plug in the hair dryer and set the dryer to a medium setting. If you only have a high and a low setting to choose from, choose the high setting.

Wrap the waxy area with a paper towel. If the wax that remains is inside, place the paper towel over the opening and down as far as the paper towel will comfortably reach.

Turn on the blow dryer and hold the end of the blow dryer roughly six inches from the wax residue. If your dryer is on the high setting, hold the blow dryer roughly eight inches from the wax. The goal is to melt the wax without having the candlestick heat up too much. The wax should melt and absorb into the paper towel. Use care when handling the paper towel as melted wax can cause burns.

Discard of the paper towels. Feel free to rinse the candlesticks under warm (not hot) water to finish cleaning them and dry them with dry paper towels.

Consider recycling the larger wax chips if you have the means to combine the waxy scraps and melt it down again for craft projects or making your own homemade candles. If you have many candleholders to clean, you might be able to talk a friend into helping to speed things up and make it more fun.

Avoid exposing your crystal candlesticks to extreme temperatures. Never microwave crystal and avoid putting it in the freezer as the extreme temperatures can damage the crystal. Never use scouring pads or other rough surfaces to clean or buff the crystal, as it will scratch. Do not pour melted wax down any drain as it can lead to clogging.