Candles grace homes, apartments, offices, and businesses across the country. They provide an excellent way to add ambience, scent, a pop of color and a touch of décor to any space, whether it’s big or small.
Sometimes we burn these lovely, colorful wax accoutrements. Other times we simply allow them to sit in their designated spots for long periods of time.
Some people like to collect dozens of candles. In fact, these people usually have them in every room in their home. While that certainly lends itself to a sense of style and scents of many kinds, it also creates a chore that must be done on a regular basis. If you don’t have a maid service that comes to your home on a regular basis, you must learn to clean each and every one of those candles.
Candles Get Dirty?
Oh, yes—they do. Unfortunately, it’s often the kind of dirt we look at so often, over a long period of time, that we no longer see it. But rest assured, most people who don’t live in your home see it. In fact, it likely hits them in the face when they walk into the room.
Come on. Can candles truly be that dirty? Just feel the surface of any candle, and you’ll immediately feel the sticky, waxy surface that is akin to a magnet for all sorts of dust and dirt. But fear not. Cleaning them is an easy chore to do.
Cleaning Them
Cleaning your candles is easy. In fact, a maid service will likely tell you it’s among the easiest of household chores. That’s because they do it on a regular basis. For the rest of us, a few items we likely already have in our homes—as well as a bit of patience—is all it takes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Dish soap
- Basin or sink
- Cotton balls
- Rubbing alcohol
- A feather or disposable duster
- A razor blade or small spatula
Now Get to Work
Begin by removing candles from their holders. Use the razor blade or small spatula to remove any candle wax or drippings from the candle holder. Depending upon the material the candle holder is made from, you may be able to send it on a trip through the dishwasher. Otherwise put it in a basin or sink to soak in a mixture of hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Once it has soaked for a while, wash and dry the holder and set it aside.
Now back to the candles. Start by dusting them off with your feather or disposable duster. You’ll likely find that this removes the top layer of dust or dirt. If your candle hasn’t been on display for very long, or if a maid service does this chore for you on a regular basis you might be able to stop with this step. If not, then you’ll no doubt have some more work to do.
Dip a cotton ball or two in the rubbing alcohol and beginning at the top of the candle, wipe away the remaining dust and debris. By starting at the top and working your way down, you’ll be sure not to miss any spots. Be gentle around the wick—especially if the candle has been burned. The wicks become brittle and you don’t want to inadvertently knock the visible piece off.
Work gently, and stop cleaning if you start to see the color of the candle wax on your cotton ball. This means you are lifting the color instead of just the dirt. This usually only happens to very inexpensive brands. You may find some of them should simply be thrown out when they become too dirty to keep in your home. Higher quality candles tend to stand up to this cleaning process much better.
Replace and Return
Once your candles have been freed from all the dust and dirt that has covered them, they are ready to be replaced onto their candle holders. This is a great time to decide if you want to return your candles to the same places within your homes. Sometimes switching things like home accessories around can give your rooms a whole new look.
Take stock of the candles in your home and see if it might be time—or maybe even way past time—to treat them to a thorough cleaning. They will in turn treat you to some fabulous looks and scents as you use them throughout your home.