There 
are a several methods to easily remove wax from candlesticks. Select the method that is safest for your candlestick material. Keep in mind that crystal and glass can easily crack from exposure to heat or cold.
Removing Wax with Water
Candlesticks that have glued parts should not be soaked in water. Skip to one of the other methods.
You Will Need:
- Hot water
- A sink or pan to hold the water
- White vinegar
Steps to Remove the Wax:
- Fill a sink or deep pan with hot water.
- Soak the wax-covered item in the water until the wax softens.¹
- If needed, add white vinegar to the water for especially grimy candlesticks.²
- Scrape the soft wax from the candlestick with your fingernail or a plastic scraper. Be careful not to scratch the surface.
- Rinse the candlesticks if using vinegar.
- Polish the surface with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Removing Wax with a Hair Dryer
Take your candlesticks to the salon (or the bathroom) for a de-waxing treatment. This method is safe for silver candle holders,³ as well as for new copper and brass, but do not use this method for antique copper or brass.²
You Will Need:
- Hair dryer
- A soft cloth
Steps to Remove the Wax:
- Set a hair dryer on the hottest setting.
- Use the slowest setting of the hair dryer to melt the wax.
- Peel or scrape off the softened wax.
- Wipe away any leftover wax with a soft cloth. Do not use paper towels to wipe the wax from metal, such as silver or brass, as they can leave scratches on the surface.
Removing Wax with Cold
Can’t soak the candle holder and don’t have a hair dryer? Use a freezer or piece of ice to combat that wax. This method is safe for metal, however it is not safe for candlesticks that are made with more than one type of metal, as the various metals will swell and contract at different speeds.³
You Will Need:
- A freezer or piece of ice
Steps to Remove the Wax:
- Place the candlestick in the freezer.
- Remove the candle holder after 45 minutes.
- For a more immediate solution, hold a piece of ice against the wax.
- Chip off the frozen wax with a soft plastic scraper or your fingernail. Be careful not to scratch the surface.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Any remaining wax residue on crystal or glass candlesticks can be removed with glycerin⁴ or denatured alcohol.⁵ Do not use alcohol on copper or brass, as it can remove the lacquer.
- Buy quality candles to prevent more wax drippings. Petroleum candles usually drip more and contain dyes that can leave stains.
- Fresh candlestick wax can easily be scraped off. Remove the wax as soon as it has hardened whenever possible.
Sources
- Extraordinary Uses For Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest
- Girls Just Wanna Have Clean by Vicki Christian
- Green Clean by Linda Mason
- Home Comforts; The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson
- The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslet
I want to know how to clean or brighten candles that have been in a box for years & jumbled with other candles and such. How do I make them look new or close to new? Thank you for your help. Donna
Hi Donna. To rejuvenate your candles, I would suggest trying just a few drops of oil on a lint-free cloth (Probably not paper towel though.)
I see your question was posted months ago, but never mind.
We found three beautiful tall stem bulb glass Christmas candle holders with the wax from candles used before locked into place under the glass rim. The decorations on the outside of the bulb likely are glued on. Differing glass thicknesses and shapes in the area of the old wax made heating the glass a risky solution. I solved the entire problem using the low speed range of my variable speed electric drill with a long 1/4 inch diameter drill bit. I simply slowly cut through the wax in enough directions that it all fell out in many small pieces. Each candle holder took only about two minutes using my approach, and there was no risk of damaging the candle holders.
I just used the hairdryer method on two very ornate candlesticks I love. Excellent results–thank you!
Finally cleared out the stem of a candle holder with forgotten candle left to burn. Tried cold, microwave, a stick to dislodge, but what worked like a charm was to submerge stem in hot water, waited about 3 minutes and the wax fell out!!! Then I used a cloth wet with hot water to clean up the inside of the stem.