How to Clean out a Candle Jar for Reuse:

There are a few ways to clean out your candle jar once your crystal candle burns down entirely and the wax is nearly gone. The easiest way is to clean it as soon as you blow it out for the last time, while the wax dries and sets.

1. Put on dish gloves to help prevent burns and to maintain a good grip.
2. Next, turn your faucet on as hot as it will go. The water should be on at half-blast. The hot water will prevent any wax from hardening and clogging your drain.
3. Set the jar into the sink under the hot water. Do not hold the jar while doing this. The herbs will float up to the top and out of the jar. If the stones begin to float to the top of the jar as well, then your water is turned on too strong.
   
4. Swirl the jar around under the water. This will remove any excess wax and herbs from the jar.
5. Pour the jar's contents into a strainer with very small holes so that you can catch all of your crystals and make sure that none of your crystals go down the drain. Using your preferred dish soap, wash the crystals using your hands until all the wax is gone while still in the strainer. Pour the remaining contents onto the paper towel.
   1. If you do not have a strainer, you can just use a bowl to perform this step.
6. Pour the clean contents onto the paper towel.
7. Once the excess wax and crystals are out of the jar, pop the wick out using tongs, a spoon or another dull object.
8. Try to remove any sticky residue the wick may have left on the bottom of the jar with the object used to pop the wick out.Then, wash your jar with soap and water. Your jar can also be washed in the dishwasher, just be sure to remove the label first.
9. You are now ready to read our “Creative Ways to Reuse your Candle Jar”. 

Sometimes you are not able to clean your jar as soon as you blow it out, and that is okay. There are still some ways to start the cleaning process. Be aware that this method makes it more difficult to save all your crystals. If your wax has cooled, put the jar in the freezer for a few hours. Then you should be able to pop out the frozen wax. Then wash your jar and crystals the same way as above. Be aware that this method makes it more difficult to save all your crystals.

Another method is to heat the jar up. Put about one inch of water in a pan and bring it to a boil. Make sure you use an oven mitt or other heat protective. Place the jar in the boiling water. This will cause the excess wax to melt again, and you will be able to start the cleaning process as described above.