I like to light Shabbos candles with `neironim,'
those little glass cups that come with speical candles that
melt down to a lovely clear liquid. What is not lovely is the
cloudy film that's left in the glass and the burnt-on stains
that are sometimes left behind. Is there a quick method to
clean the cups?
I think you'll agree that this method is quick.
You'll need very hot water, a few tissues and possibly a
small piece of steel wool.
* Boil up some water in your kettle. Meanwhile remove
any large candle stubs that might be left. Try using a small
screwdriver or knife.
* Stand up all the little cups and fill 2 or 3 of them
at a time with water directly from the kettle. Let the water
stand a moment, as it melts the film off the sides of the
glass.
* Working with one cup at a time, pour out the water and
immediately wipe the glass with tissue. If there are burnt-on
stains, gently rub them away with a small piece of steel
wool.
* Do the same for the other two cups. As you clean each
one, be sure to use a different, clean tissue, or you'll be
transferring waxy film from one surface to the
other.
* Repeat all the steps with the next batch of cups. With
practice - and the right attitude that it's not such a chore,
after all - you should be able to do the whole job in just a
few minutes. The earlier in the week, the better.
For candlesticks that go waxy, use the same principle:
Slowly pour boiling water over the waxy areas till the solid
pieces slip off. Immediately remove the last film with a
clean tissue, changing frequently. Don't use steel wool on
silver candlesticks!
Into what should you pour this water?
Not the sink.
A friend of mine once clogged up her sink this way. Some
people have a special pail or basin set aside for this very
purpose. You can use a neigel vasser basin. Let the
water cool and pour it out with the solidified wax, straight
into the toilet. Our grandmothers did it this way, too!
For questions and comments, call Chaya Roizy at 02-651-
0025.
