Ben Carter
Seven-day candles are a staple in many Hispanic households and are also used in Pagan practices. They are often reused or recycled, with many glass recycling programs only requiring that the glass is clean and made of soda-lime glass. If you're looking to reuse your seven-day candle glass, there are several ways to do so. One way is to repurpose the glass as a container for flowers, makeup brushes, or even desserts. You can also use it as a drinking glass for summer cocktails or iced coffee. Alternatively, you can melt wax and create a new candle to place in the glass, or use it for storage.
Characteristics of reusing seven-day candle glass:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning the jar | Place the candle in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. This helps separate the wax from the glass. Remove the wax with a knife and dispose of it. Clean the jar with hot, soapy water or rubbing alcohol to remove any residue. |
| Reuse ideas | Storage containers for items like spices, beads, makeup brushes, or buttons. Drinking glasses for summer cocktails. Containers for flowers, loose change, or other small items. Making new candles or body scrubs. Filling with water and using as a vase. |
| Recycling | Glass candle jars can be recycled by placing them in recycling bins, but they must be thoroughly cleaned first. Most glass recycling programs accept soda-lime glass but not borosilicate (Pyrex). |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the glass jar using the freezing method
The freezing method is a quick and easy way to clean out candle wax from your glass jar. It helps to separate the wax from the glass, and the wax may come out in one go as a solid puck.
Firstly, when your candle has about half an inch of wax left, place it in the freezer. Leave it for at least a few hours, but preferably a whole day or two. As the wax cools, it hardens and shrinks, making it easier to remove.
Next, take the candle out of the freezer. Apply pressure to the edge of the wax with a dull knife. You're not trying to cut into the wax, but rather cause it to pop out as a puck or break into smaller pieces.
Remove the puck or wax chunks by gently tapping them out onto some tissue, then throw them in the trash. If there is any remaining residue, use baby oil or vegetable oil on a piece of tissue paper to help dissolve the wax. Give the glass a thorough wipe. Do not use water by itself, as it will spread the remaining wax without really removing it.
Once your glass jar is clean, you can reuse it for a variety of purposes. You can use it for food storage, floral bouquets, art projects, office supply storage, playroom organisation, or bathroom storage.
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Remove stickers and residue with hairdryers, hot water, or alcohol
Reusing seven-day candle glasses is a creative and environmentally friendly way to reduce waste. Before reusing the candle glass, it is important to clean it thoroughly. Removing stickers and their residue is an essential part of this process. Here are some effective methods to remove stickers and residue using hairdryers, hot water, or alcohol:
Hairdryers
Hairdryers are an effective tool for removing stickers and residue from surfaces. Firstly, ensure that the surface is not heat-sensitive, as excessive heat can cause damage. Set the hairdryer to a warm setting, avoiding the hottest temperature. Aim the hairdryer at the corner of the sticker and blast it with heat for about 45 seconds. The heat will soften the sticker residue, making it easier to peel away. If the sticker still doesn't come off, apply heat for another 45 seconds. This method helps minimise leftover residue, but if some residue remains, a small amount of soapy water or lighter fluid can be used for removal.
Hot Water
Hot water is another effective method for removing stickers and residue. Create a mixture of hot water and a few squirts of washing-up liquid in a bowl. Soak the item with the sticker residue in this mixture for about an hour. The hot water softens the sticker glue, allowing it to be easily wiped away with a dishcloth or peeled off with your fingernails. Alternatively, you can add vinegar to the hot soapy water before soaking the item. After soaking, use a cloth or your fingers to peel away the residue.
Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a popular method for removing sticker residue from various surfaces, including glass. Apply the alcohol to a cloth until it is wet and then rub the residue away. For stubborn residue, soak the cloth in alcohol and place it on the area for several minutes to soften the residue before rubbing it away. Alternatively, you can use vinegar instead of alcohol, as it can also effectively dissolve sticker residue.
After successfully removing the stickers and residue, you can reuse your seven-day candle glass for various purposes, such as holding flowers, storing loose change or writing supplies, or even as a container for desserts or coffee.
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Reuse as a drinking glass, or for flowers, makeup, or food
Seven-day candle glasses can be reused in a variety of ways around the home. Here are some ideas for reusing them as drinking glasses, or for flowers, makeup, or food:
Drinking Glasses
Once the wax is removed, seven-day candle glasses can be reused as drinking glasses, perfect for iced drinks. You can enjoy watching the milk and coffee swirl together beautifully in your upcycled glass.
Flowers
Turn your candle glass into a vase by filling it with water and adding flowers. Trim the stems to size and drop them into the glass for an elegant display.
Makeup
Cleaned candle glasses are ideal for storing makeup brushes, lipsticks, and other cosmetics. Keep them organised and within easy reach on your vanity or bathroom counter.
Food
Candle glasses can be used for a variety of food-related purposes:
- Food storage: Use them to store dry goods like beans, grains, and other bulk items. You can also use them for leftovers, prepped meals like salads and overnight oats, or even as a container for your lunch.
- Homemade gifts: Reuse candle glasses to package homemade treats like cookies, granola, or spiced nuts. Add a personalised label and some ribbon for a decorative touch.
- Food fermentation: Wide-mouth candle jars without lids can be used for fermenting foods, as long as the glass is food-safe.
- Window gardens: Candle jars without lids can be used to regrow food scraps like green onions, celery, leafy vegetables, and bean sprouts.
- Desserts: They also make cute serving dishes for individual cheesecakes, pot au crèmes, chocolate mousses, and other desserts.
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Make new candles with refill kits or by melting wax
There are several ways to reuse seven-day candle glass jars. One way is to make new candles using refill kits or by melting wax. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:
Step 1: Clean the Glass Jar
Before making a new candle, ensure the glass jar is clean and free of any wax residue. This can be done by placing the jar in the freezer for a day or two. The wax will harden and shrink, making it easier to remove. Use a dull knife to pop out the wax, and then wipe the jar clean with a tissue or cloth.
Step 2: Choose the Right Wax
Select a wax type that is suitable for your project. Common options include paraffin, soy, and beeswax. The type of wax will impact the burning time and quality of your new candle. You can also experiment with different brands of wax to find the perfect formula for your needs.
Step 3: Melt the Wax
To melt the wax, you can use a microwave or a double boiler method. If using a microwave, place the wax in a microwave-safe container and heat it in short intervals, stirring between each interval, until the wax is completely melted. Alternatively, place the wax in a small pot and simmer it over a larger pot of water until melted.
Step 4: Prepare the Glass Jar
Choose a glass jar that is wide enough at the top to ensure a clean, long burn. Inspect the jar for any small cracks that could compromise the safety of your new candle. Remove any remaining wax at the bottom of the jar with a spoon.
Step 5: Pour the Wax
Once the wax is melted, carefully pour it into your prepared glass jar. Be cautious as the wax will be hot. You can use a corner of a box to help guide the wax and reduce spillage. Leave some space at the top of the jar for the wick.
Step 6: Add the Wick
Place a wick in the centre of the jar, ensuring it is centred and secure. You can use a new wick or one from an old candle. The thickness of the wick will impact the size of the flame, so choose an appropriate size for your candle.
Step 7: Let the Wax Set
Allow the wax to cool and harden completely before lighting your new candle. You can place it in the refrigerator to speed up the setting process, but ensure the jar won't crack due to the temperature change.
Additional Tips:
- You can add essential oils or dried flowers to your melted wax to create scented candles.
- Always exercise caution when working with hot wax to avoid burns.
- If using a double boiler, ensure the water does not come into direct contact with the wax to prevent contamination.
- Experiment with different types of wax and wicks to find the perfect combination for a seven-day burn.
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Recycle the glass, if your local program accepts it
If you're looking to recycle your seven-day candle glass, you'll need to check that your local recycling program accepts glass. Most glass recycling programs have two major restrictions: the glass must be soda-lime glass, not borosilicate (Pyrex), and it must be clean.
Before placing the glass in your recycling bin, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned. First, remove any remaining wax. You can do this by placing the candle in the freezer for a few hours or even a day or two. As the wax cools, it will harden and shrink, making it easier to separate from the glass. You can then apply pressure to the edge of the wax with a dull knife to pop it out as a puck or break it into smaller pieces. Remove any remaining wax residue with baby oil or vegetable oil on a tissue, and give the glass a thorough wipe.
Next, you'll need to remove any labels and adhesive residue. Heat up the label with a hairdryer to soften the adhesive, making it easier to peel off. Alternatively, stick the candle glass in the freezer, as some adhesives become less sticky when they are cold. If there is still residue, soak the label in warm water and scrape it off, then use cooking oil, rubbing alcohol, or a product like Goo Gone to remove the remainder.
Once the glass is clean, check with your local provider to ensure they accept the type of glass you're recycling. If they do, rinse the glass and place it in your recycling bin on collection day. If your local provider does not accept glass, you may need to find a recycling drop-off center or use a website like GlassRecycles.org to find a location that accepts glass near you.
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