How To Reuse Candle Jars? Comprehensive Guide

Throwing away the glass jars of your favorite scented candles is just a waste of time. Candle jars can be upcycled in a variety of ways, from making new candles to storing items to simply decorating with them. Your container needs to first be cleaned out of wax.

When only a half-inch of wax is left in the jar, it’s time to put the candle out. The container or surface it’s sitting on can be damaged if a candle is burned past this point. Our four tried-and-true ways will show you how to remove wax from a candle jar using just common home materials. After removing any remaining wax, follow our cleaning instructions to restore your container to its former glory.

4 Ways to Remove Candle Wax from a Jar

1. Remove Candle Wax with Hot Water

This approach is best suited for candles with a large diameter. Place your smoldering candle on a dish towel or potholder to keep it safe. Pour enough boiling water into the candle jar to fill it, but leave an inch of room at the top. Melting the candle wax will cause it to rise out of the container, making it easier to remove. Remove the wax after it has cooled to room temperature. Drain the water and any residual candle shards from the sink using a strainer. The wax can either be thrown away or saved for future use. Before releasing the drain stopper, ensure that all wax residue is removed from the sink.

Allowing the candle jar to soak in warm water for a few minutes also works well for removing any remaining wax. Fill your sink with warm water and insert a drain stopper. Wait 30 minutes in the sink with the candle jar open if there is a lid. In order to remove the wax from the bottom of the container, the water should be poured in. Remember that the label on the jar may be ripped off while using this procedure.

2. Pop It in the Freezer

Another guaranteed approach for removing candle wax is to freeze the wax, which causes it to shrink. The first step is to freeze a used candle jar over night. When you wake up the next morning, simply remove the container from the freezer and turn it upside-down to release the wax lump. If not, use a spoon or butter knife to lift and remove a corner of the wax.

3. Get Candle Wax Out with Your Oven

If you need to remove wax from numerous candles at the same time, this procedure is ideal. You should start by setting your oven to 200oF. Place your wax candles upside-down on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the baking sheet inside. Make sure to keep a watch out for the wax pooling on the foil after around 15 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, place it on a heat-resistant surface, and use an oven mitt to remove the jars. Before cleaning with soap and warm water, let each candle jar to cool completely. After the remaining wax on the baking sheet has dried, you may either save it for future use or throw it away along with the aluminum foil.

The only glass candle jars that will work with this technique are plain, unadorned jars. To remove any adornments, such as sequins, glitter or stickers, attempt an alternative method of cleaning.

4. Turn On Your Hair Dryer

Using a hairdryer to remove candle wax from a carpet is common. When removing wax from a squandered candle, you can use these to soften it before scraping it off. Start by using an oven mitt to hold your candle. Use a hairdryer to reheat the wax on the sides and bottom of the candle. Lift or scrape the wax out of the container with a butter knife after it’s malleable enough to handle.

How to Clean Candle Jars

Remove any remaining wax residue or soot that may have been left on your candle jars after you have removed the wax. With soap and a sponge, wash the container with warm water, then dry it with dish towels or paper towels. Use an adhesive remover, such as Goo Gone ($4, The Home Depot), for tough buildup. Using a bottle brush ($5 at Target) may also be helpful if the candle’s mouth is too small for your hand to fit comfortably.

How to Reuse Leftover Candle Wax and Containers

You may repurpose old candle jars and wax to create a brand new candle. Using 60 percent power, melt the wax in one-minute intervals in a microwave-safe dish with chunks of wax of comparable fragrances and colors. Make sure the wick is fresh before pouring the melted wax into the jars you intend to use. Before putting it in the fridge for 10 minutes, let it chill down to room temperature.

Candle jars can also be used to store office supplies, creative supplies, or personal care products like cotton swabs or hair ties. As a planter or container for flowers, you can use large glass candle jars.

20 Things To Do With Recycled Candle Jars

After showing you how to clean out your old candle jars, we’d like to give you some suggestions for what to do with the empty containers you’ve got lying around. In the event that you don’t have a lid for your candle jar, you can simply cover it with plastic wrap or tin foil.

#1 DIY Body Scrub Jars

It’s easy to make your own body scrub at home with granulated sugar and coconut oil. You can also use other essential oils like lavender and vanilla extract. Then, in the shower, vigorously scrub it in!

#2 Make A New Candle From Old Wax

Our last video on making a candle demonstrated how to remove the old wax and replace it with fresh, and now you can use that wax to make another candle.

#3 Add New Wax For A New Candle

For a lot less money than you’d pay at a specialist store, you can buy wax and melt it down before pouring it into an empty jar and adding a wick.

#4 Add A Tea Light

When using the candle jar indoors or out, place a tea light inside to produce a beautiful visual impact. You can even paint the glass of a clear jar before putting it in the light if you want to be extra creative.

#5 Liquor Glasses

Candle jars are generally made of thick, attractive glass, which in turn creates an ideal glass for whiskey or any other beverage of choice. If you start collecting these jars, you’ll have a unique display for your next dinner party.

#6 Tea & Coffee Holders

Make it easy to find your favorite cup of tea or coffee by keeping it in a jar on your counter.

#7 Get the Last of the Smell Out

Simply lay your fragrant candle on the stove (without the element) or in a bright sunny window, or even on a coffee warmer, to release the last of its scent before it goes out.

#8 Pens & Pencils

It’s a great idea to use empty candles to keep pencils and pens. Simply place it on your desk and stock it with all of your preferred writing tools.

#9 Spare Change

Keep an empty jar at your front entrance or on your dresser so that you don’t lose your spare change. Keep track of your coins and take them to the bank once a month or buy yourself something nice!

#10 Candy Jars!

Fill a few jars with your favorite candy and put them on the counter or in the cabinet for easy access.

#11 Toothbrush & Toothpaste Holder

Taller jars are perfect for storing your toothbrush and toothpaste, and you can also use them to clean your toothbrush with a solution of water and vinegar.

#12 Planter

A small cactus or succulent can be planted in a jar as a container. It will serve as an attractive display piece for a window sill or table.

#13 Hold Lip Balms

Are you addicted to lip balm? Do you have more than you know what to do with, yet can’t seem to find one when you need it?? When all the balms are in a jar, keep them in your bathroom or on your make-up counter.

#14 Hot Chocolate Gift

Empty candle jars can be used in the same way as mason jar gifts, so there’s no need to overlook them. Use it to add marshmallows or cookie dough components to hot chocolate powder. A lovely piece of cloth tied with twine or pretty string will suffice in the absence of a lid for your jar.

#15 Hair Elastics

Hair elastics are a need for any woman or man who wears a hair bun. These jars are perfect for storing all of the elastics you have stashed away in various drawers throughout your home. Make a few jars and you’ll never again have to seek for an elastic.

#16 Toiletries

It’s time to clean up the mess in your medicine cabinet or bathroom counter. Organize it quickly and make it look more formal by separating the swabs, cotton pads, and tweezers into separate jars, and labeling them accordingly.

#17 Air Freshener

Fill an empty candle jar about three-quarters of the way with baking soda and then add 5-10 drops of your chosen essential oil to create your own custom air freshener (s). For approximately a week, you can just mix it up to loosen the baking soda and add more essential oil to keep the area smelling fresh.

#18 DIY Bath Bombs

The process of making your own bath bombs is simple and entertaining, but they’re not the most convenient item to store. Using an empty candle jar, place them near your bathtub to add a dash of color to your bathroom.

#19 Bobby Pins

Keep bobby pins in a jar like elastic bands because they tend to get all over the place.

#20 Pet Treats

Just like you, your pets deserve a lovely container to store their treats in. Your pet’s favorite treats can be stored in a jar with a cover so that they can be conveniently accessed and kept fresh.

Organizing & Storing Candles Safely

Celebrations Galore

The Swedish Lucia holiday and the Indian Diwali festival are both celebrated in my family. Since they’re both candle-filled events, we use a lot of candles at home. And because scented candles make excellent gifts, I have a supply on hand in case I need to make something little for someone right away. In the spirit of holiday safety and disaster avoidance, here is a small guide regarding candle storage:

Storing Candles in General:

• First and foremost, think about fire safety! It’s best to keep your candles away from anyone who might be able to start a blaze, such as children or dogs. Avoid using cardboard packaging whenever possible.
• If at all possible, keep candles at or below room temperature when not in use. So that it doesn’t soften and bend or melt completely. You can store them in your basement, where they won’t be exposed to the elements, because they’re less delicate than taper candles. Because candles are quite sensitive to severe temperatures on either side of the thermometer, I would not advocate freezing them. If the wick is frozen, it will have absorbed too much moisture and gotten damaged.
• Avoid placing candles in direct sunlight when storing them. In general, a more ominous setting is preferable. In addition to melting, the colors and scents will fade faster when exposed to direct sunshine.
• Keep candles in a dry location. An unfavorable location is one where your basement floods every year.

What Type of Candle are You Storing?

Each candle has its own set of requirements! The first step is to figure out what you have to store:

If you Love Taper Candles:

In order to avoid warping, taper candles must be kept flat when storing them. Try wrapping each one in tissue paper and storing them in a small box or basket to preserve them from getting damaged (yes, tissue paper is actually paper, but you need something to keep them from sticking to each other). When it comes to high temperatures, I like to utilize galvanized crates. For those who prefer not to keep their candles surrounded by cardboard, many people store them in empty paper roll holders. It’s up to you.

If You Have Pillar Candles:

It’s easier to store pillar candles this way. Glass jars can be used to hold them upright, but other than that they should be placed flat like taper candles to avoid damage.

If You Have Lots of Small Candles or Votives:

It’s possible to melt these together if you’re not careful. Divide the box into sections and use those to store them in. Egg cartons or small ornament boxes can also be used to store votives.

If You Collect Jar or Tumbler Candles:

Because jar candles don’t go bad as quickly, and because they last so long, I’m a big fan. You can stack them, as long as they don’t fall, because they are already in glass containers. They’ll be safest in a box or basket. If you want them to be more visible, you can put them on a shelf or a door rack like you would in a candle store.

If You Bake a Ton of Birthday Cakes:

Birthday candles are so little that they may be kept simply. While it’s ideal to store them flat, keeping them upright won’t be a problem. I like to use a small canning pan or jar for this. My supplies are kept in a little galvanized box. It’s easier to keep them organized in glass jars by color if you own a bakery and have a lot of them on hand.

If You Use Wax Melts and Tarts:

Wax melts are my go-to candle because you have more control over the fragrance output and because they are safer than using an open flame. It’s easy to plug and unplug wax melts and doesn’t necessitate constant supervision, making them ideal for families with children. To prevent wax melts from sticking together, keep them packed in their original boxes. If you’ve already separated them, ice cube trays work great (and stack!).

If You Use Car Fresheners or Vent Sticks

Despite the fact that they’re not real candles, I decided to include them in this category. Flameless perfumes can quickly lose their scent, so keep them in plastic bags (don’t combine them) or in their original packaging until you’re ready to use them. Keep it where you’ll use it, just like with other organizing tools. Keep them in the car if that’s what they’re for! They don’t take up much room, thanks to their modest size.

I sincerely hope that these hints prove beneficial! Never leave a burning candle unattended! ” Keep all valuables in a secure location.

FAQs

Can you reuse old candle jars?

When it comes to repurposing candle jars, you can use them to store office goods, creative supplies, or even bath products like hair-ties. As a planter or container for flowers, you can use large glass candle jars.

How do you get leftover wax out of a candle jar?

What Is the Best Way to Remove Wax from Candle Jars? Boil water in a pot or kettle. Place your jar on a hot pad or a cloth to keep it warm. Add the hot water to the jar and seal it up. Observe the jar as the wax melts and rises to the top. Allow it to sit for a few hours before serving. Remove the cap to release the wax. Drain the water out of the system..

How can I remove candle wax from glass?

Take a sponge and put it in a bowl of boiling water. The wax can be moistened by wiping it with the sponge. Scrape off the wax from the glass plate with a razor blade or scraper, being careful not to damage the glass. Gently scrape the glass plate to remove any remaining wax.

What can I do with left over candle wax?

Here’s our how-to tutorial for reusing candle wax scraps: Make a brand-new candle from scratch with your own two hands! Make sure to apply lubricant to any sluggish drawer or door hinge. Start a fire. The last residual scents might be infused into your house. You can use it as a low-cost skating wax. Glue the ends of shoelaces together to prevent them from fraying. Add a personal touch to the end of your letters.

What do you do with remaining candle wax?

So, can the wax from candles that are virtually out of wax be reused? Yes, in a nutshell. A fresh candle can easily be made by melting down the remaining wax and pouring it into a new votive. Make sure that all of the waxes you use are of the same type (beeswax, paraffin, or soy).

How do you get the wick out of a candle jar?

How to remove the metal wick from an ancient candle holder without damaging the rest of the metal. Put about 1/3 cup of the old candle holder into the saucepan of boiling water, let it sit for about 2 minutes, and then remove the holder from the pot and empty the water. Pop that wick out of there with a butter knife.

Can candle glass be recycled?

Glass candle jars can be recycled at the curb. Make sure to get rid of any wax residue first.

Can Yankee candle jars be recycled?

Empty glass jars can be recycled at the curb if the wax, wick, and label have been removed; however, lids cannot be recycled at the curb and must be sent to TerraCycle®.

How do you remove dried candle wax?

Scrape off the hardened wax with a knife, then use the iron-and-brown-bag method to remove the wax from the surface. Before washing, use stain remover or a dab of laundry detergent if a stain is particularly obstinate.

Can I melt candle wax in microwave?

Microwaves can also be used to melt wax. Because they can melt the wax more quickly than with a double boiler, some individuals prefer this method. Make 2-minute intervals between heating and melting your wax. Remove the wax from the microwave when it reaches 80°C and lay it on a safe, even, and covered surface to cool down.

Can you use leftover wax in a warmer?

Wax is a liquid that can be melted. At home, a large number of people have ScentSy warmers or other comparable devices. You may make your own wax cubes for use in these gadgets by melting down your old candles. A Scentsy warmer is designed to be used only with Scentsy bars, and melting any other product in the warmer will void your guarantee.

How do you burn a candle all the way down?

How to Strategically Extinguish a Candle Set a timer for when the first flames are lit. You must halt the progress of candle tunneling. A Consistent Flame Requires Trimming Your Wick. Make Your Favorite Scents Last Longer..

Should you pour out candle wax?

Is it okay if I leak melted wax out of the candle while it burns? The wax will not melt as the candle burns. The melted wax should not be poured out if the flame is very low. When the wax runs out, always put out the flame.

How do you remove a wick pin?

Remove the wick pins from the candles if you used them. This can be done in a variety of ways. While holding a lit candle in one hand, gently tap the bottom of the pin against a hard surface. The pin can now be removed.

What can I do with old glass candle jars?

Recycled Candle Jars #1: Make Your Own Body Scrub Jars. You can also use old wax to make new candles. Third, add fresh wax to create a whole new candle. # 4 Put a Tea Light in It. Liquor Glasses are number 5. Holders for tea and coffee #7 Eliminate the Last Trace of Smell. No. 8 Pencils and Pens.

Can you recycle candle jars UK?

Glass holders can be reused, donated to a charity, or thrown away in the trash. Using a mixed recycling bin with glass bottles and jars will not allow you to recycle glass candle holders.

Will vinegar dissolve wax?

Vinegar should not be used to clean waxed surfaces, as it degrades the wax. Vinegar, on the other hand, is an excellent method for removing old wax from a surface. Consequently, vinegar should not be used to clean stone. Warm water and a moderate dish detergent should do the work.

Can candle wax clog a sink?

The most recent revision was made on February 4th, 2021. It’s never a good idea to pour candle wax down your drain. It has the ability to clog your drain all the way down, not just the top. Wax can be removed from a sink drain in two ways: by remelting it or by freezing it solid.