Chloe Adams
Jar candles are a great way to fill your home with fragrance, but what do you do with the jar once the candle is spent? There are many ways to disguise and repurpose old candle jars, from removing the wax and using the jar as a vase or storage container, to melting the wax down and creating a new candle in a different container. In this article, we will explore various methods for disguising and reusing jar candles, so you can continue to enjoy their beauty and functionality long after the candle has burned out.
Characteristics of disguising a jar candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Removing wax | Boil water and pour into the candle jar, freeze the jar, or melt the wax in an old pan |
| Removing labels | Soak in hot soapy water, scrub with a mixture of oil and baking soda, use lemon essential oil, or a cotton pad soaked in isopropyl alcohol |
| Disguise ideas | Vase, kitchen storage, bathroom storage, snack bowls, plant pot, tumbler, storage for dry goods |
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What You'll Learn
Use jars for food storage
Glass candle jars can be reused for food storage, but it is important to ensure that they are thoroughly cleaned and sterilised before doing so. Some people express concern about the fragrance oils from scented candles contaminating food, so it is recommended to use jars from candles that have not been scented with chemicals.
To clean a candle jar, place it in the freezer overnight to make the wax easier to remove. The wax should pop out cleanly, but if it doesn't, use a butter knife to break it up and remove any remaining pieces. Hand-wash the jar with dish soap and water, and use warm soapy water to remove any black scorch stains. To remove labels or stickers, soak the jar in warm soapy water for a few hours or overnight, and use a product like Goo Gone to remove any sticky residue.
Once the jar is clean, it can be used for various food storage purposes. Wide-mouth jars are best for storing food in the freezer, as they allow for food expansion. Candle jars can also be used to store dry goods like beans, grains, and other bulk items in the pantry or refrigerator. They can be useful for meal prep, keeping ingredients like salad dressing separate until it's time to eat. Jars without lids can be used for regrowing food scraps like green onions, celery, leafy vegetables, and bean sprouts, or for fermenting food, as long as the glass is food-safe.
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Turn them into vases
Glass candle jars are highly versatile and can be reused in many ways. Before using your candle jar as a vase, it is important to clean it and remove any remaining wax. Here are some ways to do this:
Boiling Water
Bring about 2 cups of water to a boil and carefully pour it into the candle jar. Allow the hot water to sit in the jar for a few minutes to soften and melt the wax. Use a spoon to help loosen the wax from the sides of the glass and break it into smaller pieces. Wipe away any remaining wax with a paper towel or cloth.
Freezer Method
Burn your candle until the wax has melted, then let the jar and leftover wax cool to room temperature. Place the jar in the freezer for a few hours. As the wax chills, it will shrink and pull away from the jar's sides, making it easy to remove with a spoon or butter knife.
Hot Water and Soap
Submerge the candle jar in a sink filled with very hot water, ensuring the bottom of the jar is fully submerged. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the wax to loosen. Remove the jar from the water using tongs and an oven mitt, then wipe away the melted wax with a cloth.
Once your candle jar is clean and free of wax, you can transform it into a charming vase. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Fresh or Faux Flowers
Fill your cleaned candle jar with fresh or faux flowers to create a simple yet elegant vase. Jar candles are watertight, making them ideal for fresh flowers, while faux flowers can simply be popped into the jar for a quick and easy display.
Glittered Vases
Add some sparkle to your candle jar vase by turning it into a DIY glittered vase. Pour some Mod Podge onto a plate and use a sponge brush to apply a thin layer of glue to the inside or outside of the jar. Sprinkle glitter over the glue and let it dry for 30-45 minutes. The Mod Podge will dry clear, so you'll know your vase is ready when it turns transparent.
Painted Vases
Get creative and turn your candle jar into a colourful vase with some acrylic paint and painter's tape. Create stripes, patterns, or any design you desire. You can even add some glitter for extra sparkle. This is a great way to customize your vase and make it match your unique style or interior design theme.
Vase Fillers
If you're using your candle jar vase for makeup brushes or other similar items, consider adding vase fillers to help them stand up straight. Glass beads, sand, or pebbles can be used to fill the bottom of the jar and provide a stable base for your brushes. Not only will this look aesthetically pleasing, but it will also keep your brushes organized and easy to access.
By reusing your candle jars as vases, you're not only being creative but also reducing waste and giving your jars a new purpose. Get inspired and experiment with different ideas to transform your ordinary candle jars into beautiful and functional vases.
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Create a DIY kitchen canister
There are many ways to repurpose candle jars, and they can make excellent kitchen canisters. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a DIY kitchen canister from a candle jar:
Step 1: Removing Wax and Cleaning the Jar
Before repurposing your candle jar, you need to remove the remaining wax. One method is to boil about two cups of water and carefully pour it into the candle jar. Allow the hot water to sit and melt the wax. You can then gently run a butter knife along the inside of the jar to separate any remaining wax. Alternatively, you can place the jar in the freezer overnight, and once the wax is frozen, remove the jar and knock it out of the container.
After removing the wax, clean the inside of the jar with hot water and dish soap to remove any residue. If there are stubborn stains, try soaking the jar in warm, soapy water.
Step 2: Removing Labels and Adhesive Residue
To remove any labels and adhesive residue, there are a few methods you can try. One is to use a mixture of oil and baking soda, scrubbing it onto the jar with a steel wool pad. Another method is to use lemon essential oil, rubbing it onto the label with a cloth. If these methods don't work, try a homemade kitchen cleaner or DIY disinfectant spray. Finally, if there is still residue, use a cotton pad soaked in isopropyl alcohol or a product like Goo Gone.
Step 3: Decorating Your Jar
Now that your jar is clean, you can decorate it to match your kitchen aesthetic. One idea is to use painter's tape and acrylic paint to create stripes or other designs. If you plan to use the jar for food storage, ensure that the paint can handle high heat. You could also use chalk paint to create a rustic, labelled canister.
Step 4: Using Your DIY Kitchen Canister
Your DIY kitchen canister is now ready to use! You can use it to store flour, sugar, spices, or any other dry goods. If your jar has a screw-on lid, it is perfect for keeping your kitchen essentials fresh and extending their shelf life.
Repurposing candle jars is a great way to reduce waste and add a personal touch to your kitchen. Enjoy your unique DIY kitchen canister!
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Use as a makeup brush holder
There are many ways to repurpose an old candle jar into a makeup brush holder. Before starting, ensure that you have completely burned the candle and removed any excess wax. One way to do this is by freezing the candle jar overnight, which will allow for the wax to harden and make it easier to chip out. You can then use a butter knife to gently chip away at the wax.
To decorate your candle jar, you can add a thin, even layer of Mod Podge to the inside of the jar, followed by glitter in the colour of your choice. You can also experiment with stripes, polka dots, or spray-painting the entire jar. If you want to add filler to your jar to help your brushes stand up, you can use Poly Pellets, decorative beads, stones, or craft sand. Finally, place your makeup brushes inside the jar, brush side up, and you've got a stylish new makeup brush holder!
If you want to keep your jar simple and transparent, you can also opt to not decorate it and simply use it to store your makeup brushes. Larger jars may require a little filler to help your brushes stand up straight. You can also add embellishments to the outside of the jar if you wish.
It is important to note that you should not use an old candle jar to drink or eat from, as there may be wax remnants. Always ensure that your jar is thoroughly cleaned before using it to store makeup brushes or other items.
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Regrow food scraps in jars
Regrowing food scraps in jars is an easy and environmentally friendly way to reduce food waste and save money. Here are some tips and ideas for regrowing food scraps in jars:
Green Onions
Green onions are one of the easiest foods to regrow from scraps. Save the white ends of the green onions and put them in a jar of filtered water. Place the jar on a sunny windowsill and change the water every day or so. In about a week, you should have new green onions. You may want to transplant the green onions into soil once the roots have grown longer. Harvest the green ends when fully grown, but be sure to leave the roots in water or soil if you want your plant to keep producing.
Garlic
For garlic, choose a whole bulb or individual cloves that have started to send out green sprouts. Place about 3 inches of the garlic, with the roots attached, into a jar of water. In a few days, you will start to see regrowth.
Celery
Cut stalks off about 2 inches from the bottom of the celery bunch, leaving the white base. Place the base in a shallow bowl of water, without submerging it. After several days, roots will begin to grow from the base, and leaves will grow from the top. After about a week, you can transplant the celery into soil, leaving only the leaves above the surface.
Onion Bulbs
Cut a one-inch piece off the root end of an onion and place it in a bowl of shallow water with the cut surface above the water. It will soon begin to regenerate its roots, which can then be planted in soil.
Other Ideas
Other food scraps that can be regrown in jars include beet and carrot greens, pineapple, romaine lettuce, fennel, leeks, and cabbage. Remember to change the water daily and provide partial sunshine for your regrowing scraps.
Disguising the Jar
To disguise the jar candle, you can decorate it in a variety of ways. You can clean out the jar and use it as a vase, storage container, or snack bowl. You can also paint the jar with acrylic paint and turn it into a decorative votive. Another option is to use it as a drinking glass or tumbler, especially if the jar is food-safe.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to do this. One is to boil water and pour it into the candle jar, allowing the hot water to soften and melt the wax. You can also put the candle jar in the freezer, which will make the wax contract and become brittle, and then break it into pieces. Another method is to melt the wax in an old pan and then use the warm wax to make a new candle.
To remove labels, you can rub lemon essential oil on the label and then wipe it off with a cloth. You can also use a mixture of oil and baking soda and scrub it off with a steel wool pad. To remove sticky residue, wash the jar with hot water and dish soap.
You can use the jar for storage, for example, for makeup brushes, toiletries, or home office supplies. You can also use it as a vase or a snack bowl. If you want to get creative, you can paint the jar and use it as a decorated votive.
You can disguise the scent of a jar candle by melting it down and adding essential oils or other scented oils to create a new fragrance.
