Want to know how to reuse candle jars after the wax melts? Follow the tips below.
We’ll show you how to reuse old candle jars and give them a whole new purpose.
Empty candle jars that are too cute to throw away will never collect dust again with some simple ideas for reusing them.
Once the wax melts, you can easily clean it, so it can play a bigger role around the house. Plus, we want to help save the planet with our frugal upcycling tips.
I was obsessed with shopping for deliciously scented Bath & Body Works candles, and soon found myself collecting empty bottles around the house.
Instead of tossing old candles in the trash, why not turn them into useful containers for small bathroom items, beauty supplies, crafts, pantry storage, and more? The options are endless.
It may be difficult to clean them, but we know the trick. 😉
The secret to cleaning glass candle jars is to freeze them for at least a few hours. This will allow you to easily split and remove the wax using a butter knife. The metal core at the bottom can also be easily removed. Just use a butter knife to get under the core and wiggle it around. Voila!
It’s up to you whether you want to put the excess wax in the trash or save it. As an idea, you can also save the wax and put it in your favorite wax warmer. I can already smell the residual pumpkin spice in the air!
Peeling off the label is also easier than you think.
The best way is to first soak the jar in hot soapy water. Then it usually comes off easily. If there’s a little bit of wax left on the inside of the glass, put it in the microwave for a few seconds to melt it and it’ll be easier to wipe off.
Hip2Save reader Barb suggested another cleaning method. She fills the jar with boiling water, and the heat causes the wax to break down and rise to the top. Once cooled, it’s easy to remove the floating wax disc!
Tips for reusing candle jars: To remove the most stubborn adhesive residue, consider using acetone, Goo Gone. If all else fails, spray with WD-40 and leave overnight. It should magically disappear in the morning!
If you’re looking for a more natural method and plan on putting food in jars, one of our readers suggested using lemon essential oil to remove any leftover glue. 🙌
Here are some fun ideas for reusing jars.
1. Create a beautiful bathroom apothecary jar.
To make a cute apothecary bottle for the bathroom, I glued an inexpensive clear glass knob to the top of a metal candle cover. We also used strong e6000 craft adhesive to ensure the knobs will stand the test of time.
It looks very satisfying even when placed on the bathroom counter! 😍 I decided to add cotton balls and swabs, but you can also add any small bathroom essentials you need. Moreover, it can also be used as a pretty gorgeous home decoration.
“I’ve been doing this for a few years now. After cleaning candle jars, I painted them to match the decor in my bathroom and bedroom. I used tampons, Q-tips, earrings, small samples of cream, and dryer jars. It has one scent booster pebble on top” – Angela.
2. Use for small, sealed foods.
Although we don’t recommend using these containers for open food, you can fill them with small foods that you want to keep on display, such as sugar packets for your coffee station or individually wrapped candy for guests.
“After putting it through the dishwasher a few times to make sure it was sanitized, I put all the sugar, creamer, and stevia packets in jars and put them on my coffee station. I used my Cricut to make some cute vinyl labels. ” – Jess to give it a little custom touch and make it look even more decorative.
Tips for reusing candle jars: To remove candle scent before placing food in jars, readers suggested trying a few tricks:
Run it through the dishwasher. Soak in vinegar and baking soda. Place a rolled up newspaper inside to absorb odors. Leave the lid off to let air in.
3. Place craft accessories to display or use.
If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re just as passionate about making things as I am. If you want to display all your favorite craft supplies in a decorative and fun way, you can hang some of your favorite floating shelves and fill them with recycled jars. It looks very beautiful with lots of colorful buttons and ribbons. Your craft room is in store.
“I use them to hold artifacts such as buttons, safety pins, and sea glass.I told Bath and Body Works employees that they should start an in-store recycling program with discount incentives. As I said, it’s a shame it’s not reused more often!” – Julia
“My husband and daughter are artists and they fill it with decorative sand and stones. They also use it to hold things like paintbrushes, mechanical pencils, and matte blades.” – Rosa
4. Use as a table centerpiece.
Have a special event coming up? We’re always looking for frugal ways to make milestone moments even more special while staying within your budget. Consider reusing candle jars as vases for fresh flowers for special occasions such as weddings, graduations, and baby showers.
“I used it as a centerpiece vase to hold fresh flowers at my daughter’s graduation open house. It looked great. I applied a criss-cross of clear floral tape to the top to hold the flowers up.” – Steph
“We collected used candle jars to use as part of our daughter’s bridal shower and wedding centerpiece decorations. We filled them with sand, added small seashells, and added tea lights. Combined with the votives, I made a simple decoration for her shower. I have three daughters, so I hope to use these again for future weddings and hopefully future baby showers. ” – Sherry.
“I made a lot of really cool things for the fundraiser by modifying BBW jars and lids. Even snow globes! I wish I could show you a picture of the finished product. Things I made We painted the inside of the jar and sprinkled it with glitter.The lid has an elephant design, and the possibilities are endless!
– Christy
5. Put all your makeup brushes in it.
Having the perfect storage solution for all your makeup will make getting ready in the morning so much easier. Plus, with these Bath and Body Works candles, you probably only need one jar to have enough space for all your essentials.
6. Store all your hair accessories.
Hair ties come and go throughout the house, but having a place to store them all means you won’t have to search for them during the rush of the morning. Also consider tossing in hard-to-find items like paper clips and bobby pins when you need to get ready.
“Love this idea! I’m going to use these to store my daughter’s ponytail holder in the vanity. The knobs that Lina shared above also make it look so pretty.” – Heather
