Removing Wax From Mosaic Votives

Chipping the Wax Away

• Chipping the wax away with a blunt instrument such as the handle of a spoon or a dull old screwdriver does remove the wax. If the instrument hits the glass at the wrong angle, however, or if too much force is applied, the glass mosaic votive holder can split or break. This method is recommended only if the wax is still soft and can be removed with gentle pressure or by lifting it with an instrument rather than by chipping away at it.

Using the Freezer

• Exposure to cold temperatures makes the wax harder and also separates it from the glass surface of the votive holder. Placing the votive holder in a regular kitchen freezer for three to four hours should lower the temperature of the wax. It will then separate from the glass when the glass mosaic votive holder is inverted. When placing glass in a freezer, it is important to keep it away from any small objects that could fall on it and break it. The door shelf is an ideal place for chilling mosaic votive holders.

Using Denatured Alcohol

• Denatured alcohol or wood alcohol softens wax and makes it easier to remove. It is an alternative to chipping away at wax when a mosaic votive holder needs to be reused quickly and there is not enough time to wait for the wax to chill in the freezer. Pouring alcohol into the mosaic votive holder will loosen the wax, and it can then be removed with a flexible and safe instrument such as a plastic knife. Saturating a cloth with alcohol and wiping the insides and bottom of the holder will remove any wax residue.

Tips

• Chipping away at the wax without using alcohol to dissolve or loosen it is the riskiest way of removing wax from mosaic votives. If alcohol is not available, even heating the wax to soften it is safer than just using a tool and force to chip away at hardened wax. In the event the wax does not loosen and fall off of the bottom of the holder after it is placed in the freezer, gently tapping the bottom by hand should force it to fall out.