How to Clean a Concrete Candle and Turn It Into a Planter

Your concrete candle has burned down and there is a fingers depth of wax left in the bottom. Do not throw it away: the concrete vessel is heat resistant, will not shatter, and once cleaned properly it works for years as a succulent planter, pen pot, trinket dish or candle coaster. Unlike a single-use glass jar, a concrete vessel long outlives the candle it held.

This guide covers three safe ways to remove the leftover wax, how to deal with the wick base, and how to turn the vessel into a planter.

Before You Start

1. The candle must be fully extinguished and cooled.
2. Never put a concrete vessel in the microwave.
3. Do not scrape with a knife or screwdriver; it scratches the surface.
4. Never pour melted wax down the sink; it hardens in the pipes.

Method 1: Hot Water (Easiest)

Soy wax melts at a low temperature, so this usually does the job.

1. Let boiled water settle for a minute; do not pour it at a rolling boil.
2. Fill the vessel to about 1 cm below the rim.
3. Wait 20-30 minutes. The wax melts and floats to the surface.
4. Once the water is cold, the wax sets into a single disc; lift it out with your fingers.
5. Pour the remaining water into the bin or the garden, not the sink.

This method falls short if there is a thick layer of wax left, or if the base is wide and flat. In that case use method 2.

Method 2: The Freezer

Wax contracts as it cools and pulls away from the concrete. This gives the cleanest result.

1. Put the vessel in a bag and freeze for 3-4 hours; overnight is fine.
2. Turn it over straight away and tap the base into your palm. The wax usually drops out in one piece.
3. If it does not, press down at the edge with a wooden stick; the contracted wax lifts easily.

Method 3: The Oven (For Several Vessels)

The most practical route if you have more than one to clean.

1. Set the oven to 90 degrees Celsius, no higher.
2. Line a baking tray with foil.
3. Place the vessels upright on the tray and leave for 15 minutes.
4. The wax melts out onto the tray. Remove with oven gloves and wipe the inside with kitchen paper.

Removing the Wick Base

The metal base of a wooden wick is usually glued to the bottom of the vessel.

1. Once the wax is out, lever the metal disc up from the edge with a wooden stick.
2. If it is stubborn, drip a little hot water on it and wait two minutes.
3. Remove any leftover glue with a drop of olive oil and kitchen paper.

Final Clean

A thin film of wax will remain. Warm water, a drop of washing-up liquid and a soft sponge is all you need. Do not use steel wool or abrasive cleaners; they ruin the matte finish. Rinse, turn upside down and let it dry completely.

Turning the Vessel Into a Planter

This is our favourite part. A concrete vessel is an ideal home for succulents and cacti.

1. Drainage

There is no hole in the base. Do not try to drill one; it can crack. Instead, lay 2-3 cm of pumice, gravel or broken ceramic at the bottom. Excess water collects there and the roots stay dry.

2. Soil

Use cactus or succulent compost; standard potting soil holds too much water. Alternatively mix one part perlite into three parts regular compost.

3. Choosing a plant

For small vessels, echeveria, haworthia, sedum and star cactus all work well. For deeper ones, try trailing ivy, a succulent mix, or a small snake plant.

4. Watering

With no drainage hole, water sparingly: once or twice a month, only when the soil is fully dry, poured slowly down the side.

Other Ideas

1. Pen pot: concrete texture looks excellent on a desk.
2. Trinket dish: the right size for rings and earrings.
3. Brush holder: for makeup or paint brushes.
4. Candle coaster: turn it over and stand a new candle on top.
5. Incense holder: a handful of sand in the base is enough.

Want to Pour Your Own?

Once cleaned, you can pour a new candle yourself: soy wax flakes, a wooden or cotton wick and natural fragrance are all it takes. Fix the wick to the base, melt the wax to 60-70 degrees Celsius, pour slowly and let it cure for 24 hours.

If you would rather have one made for you, these designs from our concrete collection are a good place to start:

1. Winter Wonderland: a detailed winter scene in a wide organic concrete vessel, multiple wooden wicks.
2. Winter Bowl: bowl-shaped, and a perfect succulent planter once cleaned.
3. Nordic Wood: clean lines, woody notes.
4. Golden Harvest: autumn harvest theme.

You can find them all on our Products page.

Removing Stubborn Odor and Oil Stains

Even after you've poured out the wax and washed the vessel with hot water, a faint scent or a thin oily film can linger — that's just how porous concrete behaves. To clear it, mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a cup of warm water, pour it into the vessel, let it sit for 3 to 4 hours, then scrub with a sponge and rinse well. Baking soda absorbs odor and loosens leftover oil at the same time.

Vinegar seems like an obvious fix for oil, but use it carefully on concrete. It's acidic, and it can react with the minerals in the concrete, leaving the surface duller or with a faint chalky patch. If you do use it, dilute one part vinegar with at least three parts water, never leave it on for more than 10 minutes, and rinse thoroughly right after.

Once washed, let the vessel dry upright in a spot with good airflow but out of direct sun. A stubborn smell usually fades noticeably within 2 to 3 days; leaving the piece out for about a week clears it completely.

Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Most of the damage happens when people rush the process. Watch out for these.

1. Pouring boiling water straight in: concrete at room temperature reacts badly to a sudden jump in heat, which can trigger hairline cracks you won't notice until later. Start with warm water and heat it gradually.
2. Running it through the dishwasher: the combination of high heat, water pressure, and detergent wears down the surface over time, fades the color, and opens up the pores, making the vessel more prone to staining.
3. Scraping with a metal knife or spoon: concrete is more fragile than it looks, and metal tools leave scratches and small chips that weaken the surface as well as mark it.
4. Using bleach: chlorine seeps into the pores and can linger even after a thorough rinse, coming back as a sharp smell later, and it can leave a whitish discoloration on the surface.
5. Lifting or moving the vessel while it's wet: wet concrete is heavier than dry concrete, and a damp surface is easy to lose your grip on, so dry it with a towel before you move it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can a concrete vessel be reused?

Indefinitely. Concrete does not degrade; as long as it is not cracked, it will last for years.

Can I melt down and reuse the leftover wax?

Yes, though most of the fragrance will have gone. Use it as a wax melt or blend it into a new pour.

Can I drill a drainage hole?

We do not recommend it; concrete can crack under drill pressure. The drainage layer method is safer and works just as well.

Can the vessel stay outdoors?

In mild weather, yes. But freeze-thaw cycles crack concrete over time, so bring it in for winter.

The colour looks faded after cleaning. What now?

Matte concrete darkens temporarily when wet and returns to normal as it dries. For a permanent mark, go over it lightly with very fine sandpaper.

Related Reading

1. What Is a Concrete Candle? Benefits of Concrete Jar Candles
2. Candle Care: 5 Rules to Prevent Tunnelling and Soot
3. Wooden Wick Candles: Benefits and the Crackling Sound

You Might Also Like

1. Winter Wonderland
2. Winter Bowl
3. Nordic Wood
4. Our concrete candles
5. Our wooden wick candles
6. All our candles