Maddie James
Candles are a great way to set the mood and create a cosy atmosphere, but what do you do with them once they're finished? Throwing them away might feel wasteful, especially when there's still wax left at the bottom of the jar. Luckily, there are several ways to repurpose old candles and their containers. You can melt down the wax to make new candles, or upcycle the jars for storage, decor, or even as a vase. With a few simple tricks, you can give your old candles a new lease of life.
What to do with finished candles:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Repurpose the container | Store pens, paper clips, jewellery, hair accessories, lipsticks, salt and pepper |
| Use as a vase, a herb garden container, or a gift box | |
| Use as a storage container for office supplies, cooking utensils, seashells or stones | |
| Clean the container | Use the freezer method, hot water method, oven method, or boil water in a saucepan |
| Use steel wool, dish soap, or rubbing alcohol to clean the container | |
| Make new candles | Melt the wax and pour it into a mould with a new wick |
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What You'll Learn
Clean out candle jars using the freezer method
The freezer method is one of the easiest ways to get every last bit of wax out of a glass candle jar. It requires no special equipment and is a safe method to reuse candle jars.
First, stick the candle jar in the freezer for at least an hour. The cold temperature hardens the wax, making it easier to break into large chunks. If the wax is still soft, place the candle back in the freezer for another hour or two.
Once the wax is frozen, remove the candle jar from the freezer and use a butter knife or spoon to gently break up the wax and pop it out. You can also try turning the jar upside down and letting gravity do its work. If the wax doesn't come out right away, you may need to gently shake the jar or poke at the middle of the wax with a spoon or knife to help dislodge it.
For any small pieces of wax that remain stuck to the glass, use a spoon to gently scrape them off. If the remaining wax is thinner than a fingernail, you can move on to the next step: removing waxy residue.
To remove any residual wax, dip a paper towel into a household oil (such as canola oil, olive oil, melted coconut oil, or baby oil) and wipe the inside of the candle jar. Alternatively, you can use a clean cotton ball or pad dipped in oil.
Finally, rinse the jar with hot soapy water to remove any remaining oil and residue. Apply dish soap to a sponge and gently scrub the glass. Rinse the jar thoroughly and let it air dry.
Your candle jar is now clean and ready to be reused, repurposed, or upcycled!
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Repurpose jars for storage, decor, or as a vase
Once you've finished burning a candle, it's time to get creative and repurpose the jar for storage, decor, or as a vase. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Removing Wax and Leftover Wicks
Before repurposing your candle jar, you'll need to remove any remaining wax and wicks. There are several methods to do this, and most don't require special equipment. One popular method is the freezer method. Place the candle in the freezer for at least an hour, then use a butter knife or spoon to pop out the hardened wax. If the wax is stubborn, gently crack it into pieces and let them fall out. Once most of the wax is removed, use your fingers or a pair of pliers to remove the wick and its holder. Finish by washing the jar with hot, soapy water to remove any residue.
Alternatively, you can try the hot water method. Boil a cup of water and carefully pour it into the candle jar. After a few minutes, the wax will soften and can be loosened with a spoon or butter knife. This method is useful if you don't have space in your freezer.
Storage and Organisation
Old candle jars can be excellent for storage and organisation. Use them to store pens, paper clips, staples, and other office supplies. Shallow or miniature jars can be perfect for holding salt and pepper or for separating ingredients while cooking. In your bathroom, a candle jar can be a great place to store jewellery, hair accessories, or lipsticks, keeping your vanity neat and tidy.
Decor and Centrepieces
Clean candle jars, especially those with sophisticated lids, can be used as decorative containers. Fill them with chocolates or sweets and add a metallic bow for a unique gift box. Large candle jars or those in unique shapes can be repurposed as vases for bouquets, or filled with seashells or stones for a table centrepiece. For mood lighting, add a few coiled fairy lights to empty jars and place them in your window.
With a bit of creativity, your finished candles can find new life in a variety of ways around your home.
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Melt down wax to make new candles
One great way to reuse your finished candles is to melt down the wax to make new candles. Here's a step-by-step guide to doing this:
First, you'll need to remove the leftover wax from your old candles. There are several methods you can use to do this. One method is to use the "freezer method". Place your candle in the freezer for at least an hour, then use a butter knife or spoon to pop out the wax. If it's being stubborn, you can gently crack the wax and let the pieces fall out. Another method is to use boiling water. Boil a cup of water and carefully pour it into the candle jar. After a few minutes, the wax should pop out on its own, or you can gently loosen it with a spoon.
Once you've removed the wax, it's time to melt it down. You can do this on the stovetop using a double boiler, or in the oven. If using the oven, preheat it to 150-200 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your wax upside down on a sheet of aluminum foil in a baking pan. Keep an eye on it, as the wax should melt and pool on the foil within 15 minutes. If using the stovetop, simply place your wax in a double boiler and heat until melted.
Now it's time to prepare your new candle. Cut a wick that is 6-8 inches long and tape one end to the bottom of your clean jar. Wrap the wick around a pencil laid on top of the jar and tape the other end to the outside of the jar.
Once your wax has melted, carefully pour it into your new jar around the wick. Hold the jar with a pot holder as you pour. Allow the wax to harden slightly, then repeat the process with any remaining candles if you want to create a layered candle. Leave your new candle to harden overnight, then cut the wick to size.
And that's it! You've now transformed your old candles into a brand new one!
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Use jars as containers for fairy lights
There are many ways to repurpose your candle jars once the candle is finished. One idea is to use the jars as containers for fairy lights. Here are some steps and tips to achieve this:
Firstly, you will need to remove the leftover wax and wick from the jar. There are several methods to do this. One method is the freezer method. Place the candle jar in the freezer for at least an hour. After that, use a butter knife or spoon to pop out the wax. If it's stubborn, make cracks in the wax and let the pieces fall out. Then, gently pull out the wick with your fingers or pliers. Finally, wash the jar with hot soapy water to remove any residue.
Another method is the hot water method. Boil some water and carefully pour it into the candle jar. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then use a spoon or knife to loosen the wax if it hasn't popped out on its own. Wash the jar with soap and hot water to finish. You can also try the oven method, where you preheat your oven to 150-200 degrees Fahrenheit and place the candle jar upside down on a baking pan. The wax will melt onto the foil, and you can then wash the jar.
Once your jar is clean and dry, you can add fairy lights. Coiled fairy lights can be placed inside the jar, and the jar can be placed in a window to create mood lighting. This is a great way to reuse the jar and create a cosy atmosphere in your home. You can also add other decorations to the jar, such as seashells or stones, to create a unique display.
If you have multiple jars, you can create a fairy light display by placing the jars in different areas of your home or grouping them together. You can also use different coloured fairy lights to create a unique effect.
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Clean jars with boiling water and soap
Once you've finished burning a candle, you might want to clean out the jar and repurpose it. One way to do this is by using boiling water and soap.
First, boil a cup of water and carefully pour it into the candle jar. After a few minutes, the wax will either pop up on its own or you can help it along by gently jabbing it with a spoon or butter knife. You can then rinse the jar with soap and hot water.
Alternatively, fill the jar to the brim with boiling water and let it sit until the water has cooled. The wax will melt and rise to the surface, forming a wax disk as it re-hardens. Once cool, simply pull out the wax. You can then use steel wool, dish soap, and a scourer to scrub away any remaining residue.
If you're planning to use the jar for food storage or canning, it's important to sterilize it properly. Submerging the jar in boiling water for at least 10 minutes should do the trick. However, be aware that boiling water can damage the sealing rings on the lids, so it's best to place the lids in water that is simmering rather than boiling.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to clean out an old candle jar. One way is to boil some water and carefully pour it into the jar. After a few minutes, the wax should pop out on its own, or you can use a spoon or butter knife to help loosen it. You can also try freezing the candle jar for at least an hour and then using a butter knife or spoon to pop out the wax.
Leftover candle wax can be used to make new candles. You can melt the wax and pour it into a new jar with a wick, or you can use an ice cube tray to make smaller candles.
Clean, empty candle jars can be repurposed for a variety of household uses. Some ideas include using them as storage for office supplies, jewellery, or other small items, as a vase, or as a container for herbs or succulents.
