We put them in the cooler overnight, pull them out and when they "sweat" the wax comes right off...usually.... been known to run them through the dishwasher too...
I put them in the microwave upside down on paper towels. Run until the wax melts, the candle wax will slide right out. Remove the votives while warm and dry polish. It works! My votives did not have the metal discs in the bottom.