8 Tips to Clean your Hanukkah Menorah

How to remove wax: 

1. The Freezer – place your metal menorah in the freezing compartment of your refrigerator. After just one half hour the wax should chip off easily  (not for ceramic chanukiyot).

2. Warm Water inside – Use a dishpan and fill it with warm to hot water. Dunk the menorah into water and allow the wax to float to the top. Use a sponge to wipe it clean. Note: the dishpan contains the wax pieces so that they are not washed down the drain, which can damage your kitchen plumbing!

Editor's Note: I've tried freezing and immerging my Shabbat candleholder in hot water. Now, there are wax remnants all over, so this didn't work for me. 

3. Warm Water outside take the menorah outside and pour hot water on it to melt off the wax. It’s easier to clean up outside than in the sink.

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4. Wax Removal Product – Craft stores carry this product, called “Un-Do” or Wax Off designed to remove candle wax and it works well on menorahs.

5. Warm Iron – Test this out on an old piece of silverware.  Heat your iron to low.  Cover your menorah with an old cloth towel or several layers of paper toweling.  As you “iron” the menorah, the towel absorbs the melted wax. 

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6. Blow dryer – Your hair dryer works well, too. Use it to warm and loosen the wax. Wipe clean with a soft cloth.

7. In the Oven – Yes, that’s right.  Your oven isn’t just for kugel anymore.  You can use it to remove years of hardened wax from your menorah.  Line a cookie sheet with heavy-duty foil. Wrap the menorah in paper towels (to absorb the wax) and then wrap again, this time covering the menorah with foil. Place on the cookie sheet and heat the oven to a low temperature, about 200 F.  SET A TIMER for one half hour.  Use oven mitts to remove the menorah and wipe away the last of the melted wax.

8. Freeze the Candles before lighting.

Before Hanukkah starts - I'm going to try this for next year. 

Spray the menorah with a light coating of cooking spray (you know, like PAM) right before you begin lighting the candles. Then wash the menorah afterwards with warm soapy water to remove any residual wax and/or PAM.

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Sources: Rabbi Barbara & Tablet Magazine