Tips on How to Reuse Candle Jars

A candle that burns down to almost nothing may symbolize the end of a certain aroma, but the empty jar left behind signifies a fresh beginning. There are a number of creative ways to reuse an attractive glass or ceramic candle jar—as long as you can clean it. Here is guidance on how to reuse candle jars at home.

1. How to remove leftover wax in your candle jars

If your candle is nearing the end of its usefulness, there are a number of ways in which you may extend its life. With an old candle container, you will have a new planter for your garden or a new container to store your cotton pads or small personal items. But your first step to being able to reuse the decorative jar is to remove all the old wax from inside and make the jars sparkling clean

1.1. Use the freezer method

• Step 1 : Put the old candle holder in the freezer for a few hours to defrost it, this will make the wax more brittle and easier to remove.
• Step 2 : After the wax is frozen, use a knife to pry out the remaining wax. If it doesn’t come out, gently break it into pieces and flip the jar upside down to let the wax fall out.
• Step 3 : Soak the paper towel in warm water and wipe out any leftover debris.
• Step 4 : After all the wax is wiped out, remove the wick and its holder by gently pulling on it with your fingers, or use a pair of pliers if it’s too stubborn.

1.2. Use the double boiler method

• Step 1 : Fill a bowl with boiling water and place the candle jar in it for about 30 minutes
• Step 2 : Once the wax has become softened, remove the jar from the water and scoop out all the melted wax
• Step 3 : To finish, wash the jar with hot soapy water and use an old towel to wipe off all the residue

1.3. Use the oven

• Step 1 : Preheat the oven to 200°F and prepare a baking pan with aluminum foil
• Step 2 : Place the candle containers in the baking pan that has been prepared 
• Step 3 : Heat in the oven for about 30 mins. Remember to keep a close eye on each container
• Step 4 : Make sure you’ve got an oven mitt on hand. Once the wax has melted, carefully remove the containers from the oven
• Step 5 : Pour the wax and wicks into a doubled plastic bag. Discard all these in the trash (but never pour wax down the drain!)
• Step 6 : Clean the containers with an old cloth or paper towel, use hot soapy water if necessary.

Safety Tips :

• Never use a microwave to remove candle wax from a container. Because even if you’re using an oven-safe container for your candles, the metal tab that holds the wick in place is likely to explode your microwave and set your home on fire!
• The oven method is only applicable for glass candle jars without any decoration. If your jars have adornment like glitter, stickers,… that you are unable to remove from your jars, try another cleaning method.
• As we mentioned, never pour melted wax down the drain. The wax will then cool and solidify, which ends up clogging up the pipe.
• Frigidity and heat may both break delicate containers. So check if your jars are able to handle the extreme temperature before deciding which cleaning methods should be used. Wax removal in a hot water bath is the safest method when working with thin glass or any fragile material.

2. How to reuse candle jars in a creative way

2.1. Turn your candle jars into plant pots

Small window gardens benefit greatly from the use of candle jars without lids. To re-grow food leftovers like green onion, celery, and other green veggies as well as bean sprouts, all you need to do is put them in a jar of water and let them grow.

2.2. Organize vanity area

Is there anything better than repurposing your favorite candle jars to keep your beauty area tidy? You may use larger candle containers to store make-up tools like brushes and eyeliners, and smaller candle containers to store cotton pads and bobby pins.

2.3. Use candle jars as food storage

Using glass candle jars to store salads and overnight oats for the following day is also a common practice. Any liquid from the food, such as salad dressing, should be kept in the bottom of the jar, so the rest of the ingredients won’t get soggy by the time you eat.

2.4. Make jams and curds

You may use old jars to store homemade jams, jellies, curds, and preserves. It is best to keep these items in the refrigerator since jars that have been used several times cannot be hermetically sealed (unless it’s a Mason-style jar and you purchase a new ring and flat lid).

2.5. Create your own terrarium

Closed terrariums are often made of rocks or pebbles, moss, soil, and other decorations, and may be constructed in ancient candle jars with lids. Make sure to gather your moss in a sustainable manner and to clean off any bus that appears.

2.6. Reduce the amount of plastic when shopping

Most grocery buyers use plastic bags to store dry beans, grains, and other bulk commodities. For the sake of the environment, you will want to bring a jar to the grocery store to stock dry products, as well as other sorts of food like meat and cheese.

2.7. Store homemade gifts

Making your own handmade desserts like cookies and nuts in old jars is a more environmentally friendly option than buying new ones. Personal labels and ribbon or thread placed around the jar’s lid offer a distinctive and unique touch.

2.8. Set up a collection of eclectic drinkware

Increasingly, people who care about the environment are shunning plastic and using recycled glass jars, particularly for carrying beverages on the move. An old candle jar with a cover is ideal for carrying your morning cold brew or iced tea to work, and it can be stored in your fridge for later use.

When you finish a candle, don’t throw away the container. After you remove the wax and clean it, give it a second life with these ways to reuse it! Candle containers may be used in a variety of ways, from organizing to decorating to creating to giving. If you’ve come up with one, we’d love to hear it in the comments below.

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