Brooke Martin
Glass candle vases can be recycled or repurposed for a variety of uses. Recycling is an option for most old jars made of clear soda-lime glass, but many candles are made of other types of glass to increase heat resistance or dyed glass to make them more attractive. Before recycling, consider repurposing them for use around the house. They can be used for food storage, as long as they are thoroughly cleaned and any wax residue is removed. They can also be used for food fermentation, provided the glass is food-safe. Other uses include using them as planters, bathroom organisers, or even making your own candles.
What to do with glass candle vases
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reuse as storage containers | Store small items like paper clips, buttons, or spices |
| Reuse as planters | Plant succulents or small herbs |
| Reuse as glass candle vases | Use fresh or dried flowers |
| Reuse as bathroom organisers | Store cotton balls, Q-tips, makeup brushes, or bath salts |
| Reuse as soap dispensers | Clean the jar, remove wax residue, and fit a pump dispenser |
| Reuse as food storage | Store dry beans, grains, and other bulk food items |
| Reuse as food fermentation jars | Use for kimchis, sauerkraut, and fire cider |
| Reuse as candle holders | Create new candles by refilling empty candle jars with wax |
| Reuse as fairy lights | String fairy lights inside the jar |
| Reuse as a terrarium | Create a small indoor garden |
| Reuse as centrepieces | Fill with seasonal decorations |
| Reuse as drinking glasses | Use for holding candles or as bud vases |
| Reuse as candle vases with greenery | Fill with water, place a candle inside a smaller vase, and add herbal and floral cuttings |
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What You'll Learn
Reuse candle vases as storage containers
Glass candle vases can be reused as storage containers for various items around the house. They are perfect for storing small items that can easily get lost in drawers or cupboards. For example, you can use them as toothbrush holders, makeup brush holders, or pen and pencil holders. Candle vases can also be used to store bathroom essentials such as cotton balls, Q-tips, makeup brushes, or small toiletries like travel-sized lotions or hair ties. The clear glass allows you to easily see what's inside, making it convenient to find what you need.
Candle vases can also be used for food storage, but it is important to ensure that they are thoroughly cleaned and free of any wax residue before using them for this purpose. It is also important to ensure that the candle vase has not previously contained any scented candles with chemicals that could be harmful if they come into contact with food.
You can decorate your candle vases with twine, paint, or fabric to enhance their appearance and make them match your interior design theme. Adding a ribbon or piece of twine around the jar or painting the lid in a coordinating color can also add a decorative touch. Personalizing your candle vases can make your storage solutions feel more stylish and inviting.
Larger candle vases can be used to store items such as paper clips, buttons, or spices. You can also use them as plant pots for succulents or small herbs, creating a mini garden or balcony garden. Candle vases can be decorated and repurposed in countless ways, offering a creative and sustainable way to reuse them instead of throwing them away.
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Make your own candles
Glass candle vases can be reused in a variety of ways, but one popular option is to repurpose them by making your own candles. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own candles using recycled glass candle vases:
Prepare the Glass Candle Vase
First, you'll need to clean out any leftover wax from your glass candle vase. One way to do this is to freeze the jar, which will harden the wax and make it easier to remove in one piece. You can also warm the jar slightly to melt the wax and pour it out, or place the jar upside down in a low-temperature oven ( <200°F) on a tray lined with parchment paper until the wax drips out. Ensure that you remove all wax residue, especially if you plan to use the jar for food storage.
Prepare the Wick
Choose a candle wick that is the appropriate size for your glass candle vase. Cut the wick to the desired length, leaving a little extra to trim later. Tie a knot at one end of the wick and use a hot glue gun to attach it to the bottom centre of your glass candle vase. Hold the wick in place by laying a popsicle stick across the top of the vase, then tie a knot with the wick at the top to secure it.
Melt the Wax
Before melting the wax, ensure that you are working in a well-ventilated area. Create a double boiler by filling a saucepan with a few inches of water and placing a metal cookie cutter or similar object in the bottom. Place your wax chunks or pellets in the cookie cutter and heat over medium heat until melted. You can also use a dedicated wax melting pitcher for this step if you have one.
Add Colour and Fragrance (Optional)
If desired, you can add candle dye or pigment and fragrance oil to your melted wax. Stir well to ensure that the colour and fragrance are evenly distributed. Be careful not to add too much fragrance oil, as this can affect the burning properties of the candle.
Pour the Wax
Place your glass candle vase on a heat-resistant surface and carefully pour the melted wax into the jar. Leave about 1/4 inch of space at the top of the jar to allow for expansion. Use a paper towel around the edge of the jar if you're worried about spilling wax on the outside.
Cool and Trim the Wick
Allow the wax to cool completely, which may take an hour or more. Once hardened, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the surface of the candle. Your new candle is now ready to burn!
Making your own candles is a fun and sustainable way to reuse glass candle vases. It allows you to customise your candles with your choice of colours, fragrances, and wick size. Experiment with different techniques and enjoy the unique character of your handmade creations!
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Use vases as table centrepieces
Glass candle vases can be used as table centrepieces in a variety of ways. One simple way is to fill the vase with water and float a candle on top. For a more decorative look, try filling the vase with natural items such as pine cones, pine needles, or dried flowers. You could also add found items from nature such as greenery clippings, pine or holly clippings, or herbal and floral cuttings. If you want to get really creative, you can glue "glass gems" to the vase and then spray it with white paint.
Another option is to create a candle vase within a vase. To do this, place a smaller vase inside a larger one and fill the bottom of the larger vase with about 2 inches of water. Then, place a candle inside the smaller vase and fill the space between the two vases with greenery clippings or other decorative items.
If you're feeling crafty, you can also make your own candles to place inside your glass vases. To do this, you'll need a wick, hot glue gun, popsicle stick, wax, and a saucepan. Attach the wick to the bottom of the vase with hot glue and hold it in place with a popsicle stick. Then, measure out the amount of wax you need and melt it in a saucepan before pouring it into the vase. Allow the wax to cool and trim the wick to less than half an inch long.
Glass candle vases as table centrepieces offer a unique and elegant way to decorate your table, whether it's for a special occasion or just to add a touch of warmth and ambiance to your everyday dining experience.
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Give as gifts
Glass candle vases can be reused to create thoughtful gifts for friends and family. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Homemade Candles
Creating homemade candles is a fun and sustainable way to repurpose glass candle vases. Simply remove the leftover wax from your used candle jars, being careful to warm the jar gradually to avoid shattering, and clean the jar thoroughly. You can then follow online guides to make your own candles using candle wicks, hot glue guns, and melted wax. Homemade candles can be customised with different colours and scents to create unique gifts.
Beauty Products
Upcycled candle containers can be used to store homemade beauty products such as bath salts, dried herbs for bath soaks, or even homemade balms made with beeswax or shea butter. These can be decorated with twine, paint, or fabric to create aesthetically pleasing gifts.
Storage Solutions
Glass candle vases can be transformed into elegant storage containers for small items such as paper clips, buttons, or spices. Personalise the jars with paint, ribbons, or decals to match the recipient's decor. You can also fill the jars with seasonal decorations or create unique centrepieces, making thoughtful gifts for any occasion.
Planters
Repurpose glass candle vases into planters for succulents or small herbs, or use them as vases for fresh or dried flowers. Adding found items from nature, such as pine cones or dried flowers, can create subtle scents and enhance the visual appeal of the gift.
Food Storage
After thoroughly cleaning and removing any wax residue, glass candle vases can be used for food storage. They are perfect for storing dry goods such as beans, grains, and other bulk items purchased in bulk. Wide-mouth jars are ideal for storing food in the freezer, allowing for expansion during freezing. Just remember to ensure the jars have not previously held scented candles with chemicals that could be harmful if they come into contact with food.
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Recycle
Glass candle jars are one of the most problematic things humans waste, as they can take up to 40 centuries to decompose. However, glass is also one of the easiest waste products to recycle, as the process does not generate any waste. If your local recycling facilities accept candle jars, make sure to remove any remaining wax before recycling. This can be done by freezing the jar to harden the wax, making it easier to pop out, or warming the jar slightly to melt the wax and pouring it out. You can also place the jar in boiling water, which will melt the wax, allowing it to float to the top and harden for removal. It is important to ensure that the jar is impeccably clean before recycling, as any remaining wax can contaminate the entire batch of recycled glass if it gets on other items.
If your local recycling facilities do not accept candle jars, you may want to research commercial recycling centres in your state and connect with them to ensure the jar does not end up in a landfill. Some companies, such as Arbor Made, offer reusable candle jars that are designed to be reused and are easy to clean. Alternatively, you can repurpose your candle jars for storage, DIY crafts, planters, vases, or bathroom organisers. You can decorate the jars with twine, paint, or fabric to enhance their appearance and make them fit any interior design theme. Larger candle jars are ideal for organising small items like paper clips, buttons, or spices, while smaller jars can be used to store items such as cotton balls, Q-tips, makeup brushes, or bath salts in your bathroom.
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Frequently asked questions
Glass candle vases can be repurposed for a variety of things, including storage, DIY crafts, planters, vases, and bathroom organizers. You can also recycle them.
Glass candle vases can be used to store small items like paper clips, buttons, or spices. They can also be used to store food items like dry beans, grains, and other bulk items.
To make a DIY candle vase with greenery, you will need two vases or glass jars of different sizes, water, a candle, and clippings from herbs or shrubs. Place the smaller vase into the larger one and fill the bottom of the larger vase with about 2 inches of water. Place the candle inside the smaller vase and fill the space between the two vases with the clippings.
