Chloe Adams
Jar candles are a great way to illuminate your space and create a cosy atmosphere, but what do you do with the jar and leftover wax when the candle is finished burning? There are several ways to salvage a jar candle, from reusing the wax to create a new candle to cleaning out the wax and recycling the jar. This introduction will cover various methods to salvage jar candles, providing an overview of the steps involved and the materials required, so you can make the most of your candles and reduce waste.
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What You'll Learn
Remove wax by freezing
To remove wax from a jar candle by freezing, start by placing the candle in the freezer for at least 3-5 hours, preferably overnight for the best results. The colder the temperature, the better.
Freezing the wax not only hardens it but also causes it to shrink and loosen from the sides of the jar. When you're done, you should be left with a large, frozen lump of wax at the bottom of the jar.
If the wax remains stuck to the glass, place the candle back in the freezer for another hour or two. Once the edges have loosened enough, the lump of wax should be ready to come out. Turn the jar upside down and let gravity do its work. You might need to give it a little shake, and the frozen wax should pop right out.
If it doesn't come out immediately, try poking at the middle of the wax with a spoon or knife and gently pull or dig it out. For any small pieces of wax that remain on the glass, use a spoon to scrape them off gently.
If there is still a thin layer of wax residue, you can remove it by dipping a paper towel into some household cooking oil and wiping the inside of the candle jar.
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Melt wax with hot water
To salvage a jar candle by melting wax with hot water, you can try the following methods:
Using a Kettle
Place several jars in an old kettle and fill it with water. Ensure the water covers the bottom of the jars but isn't much higher to prevent it from seeping into the wax. Once the wax melts, slowly add new wax pellets and place the wicks inside, adding a centring stick over the top.
Double Boiler Method
Pour hot water into a large pot or container. Place your candle jar into a smaller bowl and set that bowl on top of the container with hot water. The hot water will soften the wax, making it easy to pop out with a knife.
Using a Small and Large Pot
Place your candle in a small pot and then place the small pot inside a larger pot filled with water. Bring the water to a simmer. Once the wax is melted, remove the old wicks with tongs and toss them out.
Using the Oven
Preheat your oven to its lowest setting. Place the jar inside, ensuring that any labels or stickers are removed first. Once the wax is melted, scoop it out and reuse it.
Using the Microwave
This method is best for softer waxes such as soy and coconut. Place the candle jar on a microwave-safe surface and pour boiling water into the jar, leaving an inch of space at the top. The boiling water will melt the wax, and it will float to the top of the water. Let the water cool, then swiftly pop out the remaining wax with a spoon or butter knife.
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Use a heat gun
A heat gun is a handy tool for candle-making, offering immense versatility and precision in temperature control. It is essentially a high-powered hair dryer that can generate much higher temperatures, making it perfect for salvaging jar candles. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use a heat gun for this purpose:
Preheating Candle Jars:
Before pouring wax into a jar, use the heat gun to preheat the jar. Hold the heat gun about an inch away from the jar's surface and move it around until the glass is warm to the touch. This helps prevent cracking or shattering when hot wax is poured into a cold jar. It also ensures the jar is at a similar temperature to the wax, avoiding wet spots and adhesion issues. Blasting the edges and inside of the jar for 15-30 seconds is usually sufficient.
Melting Wax:
A heat gun can be used to melt wax that has solidified in a jar. Hold the heat gun a few inches above the wax and move it back and forth until the wax melts. This technique is especially useful for salvaging bumpy or uneven candles. You can then pour the melted wax into a new jar or mold to create a new candle.
Cleaning Supplies:
Heat guns are excellent for cleaning candle-making supplies. If you have dirty molds or wicks, simply hold the heat gun over them, and the wax will melt away. Be sure to wipe up the melted wax with paper towels or kitchen roll. You can also use the heat gun to clean pour pots or Presto Pots by blasting them with heat and scrubbing them with paper towels and rubbing alcohol to prevent "scent contamination."
Removing Wicks:
If you need to remove a wick from a jar candle, you can apply direct heat to the wick tabs with the heat gun. Be cautious, as too much direct heat can melt the glue under the wick tab or the wax coating on the wick. Use an old butter knife or skewer to dislodge the wick after applying heat.
Safety Precautions:
Always exercise caution when using a heat gun, as the jars and tools can become very hot. Avoid applying too much direct heat to the wick or tab, and be mindful that scorching hot containers are dangerous and unnecessary. Additionally, some heat guns use gas instead of electricity, so ensure you are using the correct type for candle-making.
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Clean the jar
To clean the jar, you can use one of the following methods to remove the wax:
Boiling Water
Place the candle jar on a heat-safe surface and boil a kettle. Pour the boiling water into the jar, leaving a little room at the top. The melted wax should float to the top and harden as the water cools. Once the water is cool, simply pick out the wax and scrape away any remaining bits stuck to the jar’s insides. Finally, wash the jar with soap and water.
Freezing
Place the jar in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. The cold temperature causes the wax to shrink and separate from the glass. Once the wax has frozen, you can pop it out with a butter knife. Breaking up the wax beforehand makes it easier to remove. Then, wash the jar with soap and water.
Oven
Preheat your oven to its lowest setting (around 150-170°F). Line a pie pan or baking sheet with tinfoil or wax paper, ensuring it is watertight to contain the melted wax. Place the candle jar upside down on the pan or sheet and put it in the oven. After about 5-10 minutes, remove the jar from the oven using oven mitts. The wax will have melted out onto the sheet. Wipe the jar clean of any remaining wax with a towel, and remove the wick with a spoon. Finally, wash the jar with mild dish soap.
Hob
Place the candle jar in an empty glass bowl over a pan of simmering water. This melts the wax so it can be poured out, without the jar itself getting too hot. Be sure to wear oven gloves.
Melting
Melt the wax by placing the jar in an old pot of water, ensuring the water covers the bottom of the jar. You can also use a heat gun or place the jar in the oven on its lowest setting. Once the wax has melted, remove the old wicks with tongs and dispose of them.
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Repurpose the jar
Once you've removed the wax from your candle jar, you can repurpose the jar in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:
Storage
You can use your cleaned candle jars for storage, especially for small items that tend to get scattered or lost easily. This could include paper clips, rubber bands, hair ties, or even makeup brushes. You can also use them to store Q-tips or cotton balls in your bathroom.
Vase or Planter
Depending on the size of your candle jar, you can use it as a small vase for fresh flowers or herbs. You can also turn your empty candle jar into a planter pot for flowers, herbs, or succulents with a little soil and water. Just make sure there is a hole at the bottom of the jar for drainage.
Kitchen Container
Candle jars can be used in the kitchen to store spices, tea, coffee beans, or sugar. They can also be used as measuring cups or to store homemade sauces or jams.
Bathroom Organizer
You can use your old candle jars to organize items in your bathroom, such as cotton swabs, bath salts, or sugar scrubs. You can also use them to store small guest soaps or guest toiletries.
Creative Projects
If you're feeling creative, you can use your old candle jars for various projects. For example, you can fill them with coloured sand or stones to create a decorative display. You can also paint or decorate the jars and use them as candle holders for tea lights.
Repurposing candle jars is a great way to reduce waste and get more use out of the items you already have. With a little creativity, the possibilities are endless!
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Frequently asked questions
Place the candle jar in a bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water, ensuring the wax melts without the jar getting dangerously hot. Alternatively, place the candle in a separate pot and slowly pour boiling water around the candle, making sure the water doesn't go into the candle jar.
One way to remove wax from a jar candle is to place the jar in the freezer. This allows the wax to shrink and easily pop out when the candle holder is removed from the freezer. Another way is to pour boiling water directly into the candle jar and leave some room at the top. The melted wax should float to the top and harden as the water cools. Simply pick it out when the water's cool and scrape away any remaining bits.
To dispose of a jar candle, first remove any remaining wax. Then, take the jar to your local bottle bank or nearest household waste recycling centre (HWRC) to recycle your glass candle jar with other glass waste.
Once you have removed the wax from the jar, you can reuse it by melting it and adding it to a candle warmer or making gift-worthy floral wax sachets.
