The Easiest Ways to Clean Menorah Wax
Menorahs can get dirty. And on top of everything you need to do for a piece of jewelry that spends most of the year in a box, candle wax is just a pain to clean up. Here’s how to clean all kinds of menorahs.
How to clean silver menorahs
According to Kosher.com , you can remove wax from a silver menorah by placing it in a sink and pouring boiling water over the top. When you’re done, use a soft sponge to add some silver polish and then a second sponge to clean it all up with dish soap. Rinse it with hot water and dry with a cloth. (You can also boil it in water on the stove and just let the wax melt and rise to the surface where you can easily peel it off, but your menorah might be too big.)
Before that, of course, plug the drain or put foil. Leave the foil and wax on until the water is cool enough for you to touch. When it’s time to store the menorah after Hanukkah, place it in a tightly sealed plastic bag with a piece of chalk to absorb moisture and sulfur so it doesn’t tarnish while it’s gone.
How to clean metal menorahs
According to Taste of Home , you can put your metal menorah in the oven. As long as it’s metal, you’ll be fine – just preheat your oven to 225°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Fold the sides over to create a kind of dish, put your menorah in the pot and place it on the center rack. After about five to ten minutes, the wax will melt on the foil. Stay close so he doesn’t have to stay there longer than is necessary for all the wax to come off. Use paper towels or a cloth to remove excess wax from candle holders.
How to clean plastic menorahs
The heat will obviously ruin the shape of the plastic menorah, but you can put it in the freezer until the wax hardens and comes off easily. Kosher.com recommends using plain old hot water and soap to remove stubborn wax afterwards.
Grease the menorah before Hanukkah
Before lighting the candles on the first night of Hanukkah, apply a little oil to the outer surfaces of the menorah to make the buildup of wax easier to remove. Remove the wax every morning so you can start with a clean slate every night.