Jessie Taylor
There are many ways to reuse empty candle jars. You can repurpose them into new candles, candle holders, or even plant pots. If you want to make new candles, you can melt down the leftover wax and pour it into moulds to make tea lights or votives. Alternatively, you can buy candle wax refill kits online and reuse the jars. If you're feeling creative, you can make your own concrete candle holders by mixing concrete and pouring it into a silicone mould. You can also use empty candle jars for storage, such as for dry goods, toiletries, or small plants.
Characteristics and Values of 'Do It Yourself' Candle Jars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax | Soy wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, or candle refill wax kits |
| Jar | Mason jar, cement jar, old candle jar, or glass jar |
| Wick | Wood wick, pre-tabbed candle wick, or Swan Creek wicks |
| Scent | Essential oils, fragrance oils, or natural beeswax scent |
| Other Materials | Saucepan, stove-top, double boiler, glue gun, glue tabs, metal pouring pot, scissors, candle dye, and mould |
| Other Uses for Old Candle Jars | Storage, plant pots, food fermentation, drinking glasses, or decorative items |
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What You'll Learn
How to make your own candles at home
Making your own candles at home is a fun and simple project that can be done by beginners and is a great activity for kids. You can use recycled candle jars or buy new ones to pour your wax into. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own candles at home:
Firstly, you will need to gather your materials. You will need a jar, wax (soy wax or beeswax), a wick, a pot, and any essential oils or fragrances you may want to add. You can also add dye to your candle if you want a specific colour. If you are using a recycled candle jar, you will first need to remove the old wax and wick. This can be done by placing the jar in the freezer, which will make the wax easier to remove, and then gently scraping out the wax and wick. You can also remove the wax by heating the jar upside down in a low-temperature oven or on a stovetop using a double boiler.
Next, prepare your jar. If you are using a new jar, you can skip this step. If you are reusing an old jar, wash it thoroughly, ensuring there is no remaining wax. You can remove any old labels by soaking the jar in hot water. Dry the jar completely before proceeding.
Now, it's time to prepare your wax. Measure out the wax by filling your jar with wax flakes twice. This will ensure you have the correct amount. Place the wax in a pouring pot or the top of a double boiler and heat it over low heat until it is completely melted. If you are using dye, add it to the wax now, stirring until the colour is evenly distributed. Once the wax has cooled slightly, you can add your fragrance. A good rule of thumb is to use one ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. However, if you are using essential oils, you may need to use more as they tend to have a weaker scent.
Once your wax is prepared, it's time to assemble your candle. Trim your wick to the desired length, leaving about one inch of wick protruding. Attach the wick to the bottom of your jar using a metal disc and hot glue or glue tab. You can also use a bit of melted wax to secure the wick in place. Centre the wick by wrapping the excess length around a skewer or chopstick.
Finally, pour the wax into your jar slowly and steadily. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely before trimming the wick to the desired length. And that's it! You've made your own candle at home.
You can get creative with this process by experimenting with different colours, fragrances, and types of wax. You can also decorate your candle jar by painting it or adding natural items like pine cones or dried flowers. Enjoy your homemade candle!
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Reusing old candle jars to make new candles
Prepare the jars
First, you will need to clean out your old candle jars. This can be done by placing the jars in the freezer for a couple of days, which will harden the wax and make it easier to remove. After removing the wax, you can soak the jars in hot water to remove any old labels. Dry the jars thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
Choose your wax and scent
There are several types of wax that can be used for candle-making, including paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax. Soy wax and beeswax are natural, inexpensive, and easy to find. They are also slow-burning, and soy wax holds fragrance better than beeswax. However, beeswax has its own honey scent, which some people find appealing. Essential oils or fragrance oils can be added to the wax to create scented candles, or you can choose to go all-natural and skip the scent.
Melt the wax
Measure out the desired amount of wax flakes or beads and place them in a metal pouring pot or saucepan. Heat the wax over low heat until it is completely melted. If using a double boiler, place the wax in the top portion over heated water.
Prepare the wick
While the wax is melting, prepare your wick by cutting it to the desired length and attaching it to the bottom of the jar using a metal wick holder, super glue, or a bit of melted wax. Trim the wick to be about one inch taller than the jar.
Pour and cool
Once the wax has melted, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. If desired, add your chosen dye and fragrance. Then, pour the wax into the prepared jar in a slow, steady stream. Allow the wax to cool and solidify completely before trimming the wick to the desired length.
Additional tips
If you have leftover wax from your old candles, you can melt it down and repurpose it into new candles. You can also get creative and decorate your new candles by painting the jars with heat-resistant paint or adding natural items like pine cones, pine needles, or dried flowers.
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Removing wax from old candle jars
There are several ways to remove wax from old candle jars. Here are some methods that can be used:
Freezing
Place the candle jar in a freezer for several hours or overnight. The cold temperature will cause the wax to harden and shrink, making it easier to remove. Once the wax is frozen, use a butter knife or a spoon to pop it out of the jar. If needed, loosen the wax with the knife and scrape off any residue. Finally, clean the container with dish soap and water to remove any remaining wax.
Hot Water
Fill a pot or large metal bowl with hot or boiling water and place it on a heat-safe surface. Put the candle jar in the water, ensuring that the water does not get into the jar. Allow the jar to sit in the hot water until the wax softens and begins to melt. Remove the jar from the water and use a butter knife or spoon to pop out the wax. Wash the jar with soap and water to remove any remaining wax residue.
Oven
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking pan with aluminium foil or parchment paper. Place the candle jar upside down on the pan and set it in the oven. The heat from the oven will melt the wax, allowing it to be poured out or wiped away with a paper towel.
Microwave
If there are small bits of wax remaining in the jar, you can place the jar in the microwave for about 30 seconds to soften the wax. Ensure that the jar is microwave-safe before doing this. After microwaving, wipe away the softened wax with a paper towel.
Hair Dryer
For areas of stubborn wax, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun to spot treat the area. Hold the hair dryer close to the wax and direct the hot air towards it. Be sure to protect your hands with an oven mitt and work on a heat-safe surface.
Once the wax is removed from the jar, you can reuse it for various purposes, such as storing small items, using it as a pen/pencil holder, or even planting small succulents.
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Using old candle jars for food storage
Old candle jars can be reused for food storage, as long as they are thoroughly cleaned and any wax residue is removed. It is also important to ensure that the jars have not previously contained any scented candles with chemicals that could be harmful if they come into contact with food.
To remove wax from a candle jar, you can freeze the jar to harden the wax, making it easier to pop out. You can also warm the jar slightly to melt the wax and pour it out. Soaking the jar in warm, soapy water for a few hours or overnight can help to remove any remaining residue or labels.
Once your candle jar is clean, you can use it for various food storage purposes. For example, you can use it to prep food like salads and overnight oats for consumption later in the week. Just make sure to keep any liquid ingredients, like salad dressing, in a separate container or at the bottom of the jar to prevent the other ingredients from becoming soggy.
You can also use old candle jars to store dry goods like beans, grains, and other bulk items. Instead of using plastic bags to hold these items, you can bring your jar to the grocery store and fill it with your desired bulk items. Then, you can use the jar to store the items in your pantry or refrigerator.
Old candle jars without lids can also be used for food fermentation, as long as the glass is food-safe.
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Making cement candle holders
Materials and Preparation:
First, gather your materials. You will need cement mix, water, molds (silicone molds work well), small plastic or paper cups, tape, plastic bags, and spray paint. You can use various containers as molds, such as plastic bottles or cups. If you want to add colour to your candle holders, you can use spray paint or mix colourant into the cement while preparing it.
Mixing the Cement:
Follow the directions on your cement mix package to prepare the cement. Typically, you will need to mix the cement with water to achieve a thick, pancake batter-like consistency. If you are using colourant, add it during this step.
Filling the Molds:
Carefully pour the prepared cement mixture into your chosen molds. Leave at least 1 cm of space at the top to avoid overflow. You can use a small cup or another object as an inner container to create a space for the candle. Vibrating the mold slowly can help remove bubbles from the mixture, making the candle holder stronger and less likely to break.
Drying and Curing:
Allow the cement to dry completely, which can take 24 to 36 hours. After it has dried, remove the mold and inner container carefully. You can use petroleum jelly or oil to aid in the easy removal of the inner container. Once the mold is removed, cure the cement candle holder by placing it in water for 4 to 5 hours to increase its strength.
Finishing Touches:
After curing, your cement candle holder is almost ready! Clean any remaining cement dust with a tissue, and if desired, add tape and plastic to mark off areas for paint. Spray paint your candle holder with your chosen colour and allow it to dry completely. Finally, peel off the tape and plastic, and drop in a candle.
Your DIY cement candle holder is now complete and ready to display! These candle holders make great gifts and can be customised with different colours and moulds to suit your style. Enjoy your unique creation!
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Frequently asked questions
Place the used candle jar in the freezer for a couple of days. After removing the jar from the freezer, gently scrape out the old wax and wick. Alternatively, you can heat the jar upside down in a low-temperature oven (less than 200 degrees F) until the wax drips out.
You will need a jar, wax (soy wax or beeswax), a wick, a pot, essential oil or fragrance oil, and a stove-top. You can also add dye to your candle.
Mix concrete with water until it reaches a pancake batter consistency. Add colourant to the mixture if desired. Pour the mixture into a silicone mould and let it dry.
Old candle jars can be used for storage or as a decorative item. You can use them to store dry goods, such as beans and grains, or as a drinking glass. They can also be used for regrowing food scraps or as a planter for small plants or succulents.
To remove labels, soak the jar in hot water. If the label is still stuck, scrub a mixture of oil and baking soda onto the jar with a steel wool pad.
