How to Clean a Menorah
Hanukkah is over, the gifts are unwrapped, the dreidel has spun its last spin, and all the latkes eaten. Although it's tempting to put your menorah away without cleaning and forget about it until next year, you'll be happy when you have a clean one next Hanukkah! Or, display your beautiful menorah all year. There are some really gorgeous modern menorahs you won't want to put away! So how do you clean the candle wax off your menorah? Here are our top 7 tips for preventing and cleaning a waxy menorah.
What is a Menorah?
First things first: what is a menorah? Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights. We rejoice in the miracle of one day of oil lasting 8 nights during the rededication of the Second Temple. Because of this, we light a candelabra with 8 candles (plus a shamash aka the leader candle) for eight nights during Hanukkah aka a Hanukiah or a Menorah.
How Do You Clean a Menorah?
- Hot water: Put your menorah in a heat-proof container such as a large pan and pour hot water over the menorah until the wax melts off and floats to the top. Wipe off extra wax with a towel. Be careful that the wax doesn't drip into the sink drain.
- Freeze the menorah: Put your menorah in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour until the wax hardens, and then peel it off.
- The oven method: Put your menorah on a foil-lined sheet pan in the oven on the lowest temperature setting for a few minutes until the wax melts off. Carefully turn over the menorah so the wax comes out of the holders too.
- The oil method: Prevent wax from sticking by coating your menorah with non-stick cooking spray. (Do not use on precious metals.)
- Beeswax and dripless candles: Use beeswax or dripless Hanukkah candles to prevent the wax from dripping in the first place!
- Drip cups: Line your menorah with drip cups or foil to catch any drips.
- Love the wax: Can't get all the wax off? Let it be! We actually love the look of a little wax on the menorah to show it's well-loved.
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