The Ultimate Guide to Reusing Candle Jars
Raise your hand if you have a collection of burnt out candles and/or empty candle jars in various places around your home. Don't worry, me too.
As we observe Earth Day today, we'd like to present you with what we consider to be the ultimate guide to reusing your Bubble & Geek candle jars (and any candle jars really, we'd just prefer you have ours!).
The first step to reusing your candle jars is to remove any old wax that's still left in the jar. There's a few ways to do that.
1. The Freezer Method
It may sound strange, but one of the best ways to get your last bit of wax out of your candle jar is to freeze it. Why? Candle wax becomes brittle when frozen, which makes it easier to remove. After placing the jar in the freezer for a couple of hours, use a knife to pry out any remaining wax. Then dampen a rag or towel with warm water and wipe out any debris that's left over.
2. The Double Boiler Method
Slightly more complicated than the freezer method, this method helps with leftover wax that might be a bit more stubborn to remove. Gently sit your candle jar in a bowl of boiling water for just a few minutes. Once the heat from the water has softened the wax, carefully remove the jar and pour out the melted wax. Washing the jar after with warm water and soap will help to get it extra clear.
3. The Wash & Go Method
The method that I, admittedly, sometimes use for dishes! Just remove as much of the wax as you can with a sharp knife, fill the jar with soap and hot water and let it sit for a bit before scrubbing it clean. This works best for candles made with soy wax (like ours) that have a low melting point.
Now, what to do with the jar once it's empty and clean? Here are a few of our favorite ideas!
Plant or flower pots
What better way to reuse/recycle than to add some green to your home! Candle jars are the perfect size for succulents, fresh flowers, and other plants.
Vanity decor
Ever notice how those "fancy" jars for your makeup brushes look just like candle jars? Save yourself some money and reuse the jars from your finished candles. Other clever bathroom storage uses can be for your toothbrushes and toothpaste, cotton balls and/or swabs, and any other makeup or toiletry items you need to organize.
Pencil pots
How cute is this pencil jar?! Get a bit of paint and brush up (pun intended) your decoupage skills, and your old candle jars suddenly become cute decorative pieces for your desk to keep pencils, pens, and other supplies.
Bonus idea: continue to use it for candles! Have tealights but no tealight holders? Just pop them into your old candle jars! Perfect solution.
What are some of your favorite ways to reuse your candle jars? Any ideas that we haven't thought of?