Wondering what to do with old candle jars? There are so many ways that you can reuse them long after their lovely scent is gone.
Funny enough, I was not a candle-loving person until about 2018.
Before then, I was content with scent plugins and the occasional reed diffuser.
Maybe it was the hands off factor? You can’t quite set and forget a candle…unless you don’t mind burning down a room or two.
2018 was the first year I went to the annual Bath & Body Works candle event and smelled all 79374 candles in there.
Lol, now I love almost everything about them!
Their flickering glow, the musky smell, the variety of scents, their ambiance…
I light a candle whenever I need to calm my nerves or motivate myself to clean.
Just about the only thing I don’t like about candles is the potential waste that they produce. Every time I burn a candle all the way down, I encounter the same dilemma.
What……do I do with this jar….?
And for the longest time, I didn’t have an answer! (Actually, that’s not true. For a while there, I was stacking them on top of each other and using it as a doorstop for our front door. Not ideal lol).
What I’ve learned is that the best thing to do is to upcycle them!
What is upcyling? Well, it’s turning something that would otherwise be considered trash and into something of value.
Upcycling is not only a great way to keep trash out of the landfill, but it’s a perfect way to create something else that you actually need.
When it comes to finding new uses for old candle jars, there are so many possibilities! When you’re reading them below, keep in mind that these ideas are great for mason jars as well as empty baby food jars too.
Looking for other ways to get rid of old stuff? Check out these 9 DeCluttering Checklists
Before you do anything with the candle jars, you need to be certain that the jar is completely clean and free of candle wax. If you don’t, you’re going to find yourself with a big waxy mess.
How to Clean Out Used Candle Jars – 2 Methods
The leftover wax at the bottom of every finished candle jar feels like the biggest obstacle but don’t fret! You can easily try the following jar cleaning solutions to get those old candle jars sparkly clean.
1. Freeze the wax
Put the jar in the freezer for a couple of hours and this will harden the leftover wax to the point where you can take a knife and nudge it all out. Afterwards, wash the jar with soap and wipe it clean.
2. Heat the bottom of the jar
If you can put the bottom of the jar in a basin of boiling hot water and leave it to sit for a few minutes, you might find that the warmth melts the wax, and you can quickly pour it out of the jar.
NEVER pour liquified wax down the drain! It will probably harden and clog your pipes. Just toss it in the trash or save it for another project!
Again, wash the jar with soap and wipe it clean.
How to Repurpose Used Candle Jars (16 Ideas)
Jars are versatile items that you can keep around for all kinds of fun projects.
Below, you will find many simple solutions for breathing new life into those old glass candle holders.
The most important thing to remember before starting any of these projects is to make certain that you clean out all of the waxy residue from the old candle container.
This will ensure that your jar is clean and safe to use for other purposes.
Yes, you will probably need one of the larger candle jars (like the big Yankee Candle jars), but as long as you have one of those, this is a super fun idea.
All you need is some paint and a bit of creativity, and you'll have a one-of-a-kind vase to hold flowers, plants and succulents all year long!
Bougie up your bathroom with this glam DIY.
This candle jar recreation can house cotton balls, makeup remover pads, Q-tips and so much more. In fact, you can make a matching set of 2 or 3 and display all of those things!
The 60s called and they'd like you to teach the kids about lava lamps! This DIY Glitter Lava Lamp project is a groovy place to start.
Not only will the kids get to enjoy a creative afternoon, they will have some retro room decor to show for it!
Don't forget about the candle jar lids! They've got to be put to good use as well.
You can turn those lids into the cutest home office decor with some glue and pretty fabric. Not only are these pretty, they are very much so functional as well.
Why buy expensive coasters for each room if you can create custom ones with stuff that you already have at home. Aka...upcycling.
This is a super simple DIY that will keep your nice furniture clean and water-ring free!
Repurpose your candle jar into a journal jar. This is a heartfelt gift idea for Mothers Day or Mom's birthday.
It's as simple as painting the container and then filling it with questions that mom can pull out and answer each day. They will then write their thoughts into a journal and share it with their family.
As long as your candle jar is large and clean, why not reuse it for an outdoor bird feeder? The birds will be so happy and thankful!
With some string lights and an empty candle jar, you can create a whimsical ambiance for any evening party. This is a smart way to bring light to an event without the risks of using a real candle.
With a few seeds and some potting soil, you can add vibrant green colors to your kitchen and have fresh herbs for your meals whenever you want.
I just love when people have an adorable apothecary jar of matches in their kitchen or bathroom. Don't you?
If so, you can make one with your old candle container! Make sure to save the lid so that you can attach the striker to light the matches.
If you like to make (or gift) your own special lotion, you will probably need somewhere to store it! Using an old candle jar with a lid can be the perfect solution and a smart way to keep it fresh.
The great thing about making homemade candles is that you can really have fun and customize your own, signature scents. Here's a recipe for you to create cinnamon candles with essential oils.
When you make bath bombs this beautiful, it's a shame to store them behind closed cabinet doors. Instead of sticking them in a bag and stuffing them in the closet, display them in a glass candle jar for everyone to see and admire.
Love to make your own beauty products? Why not create a sugar scrub that you can store in the clean candle jar? As long as you can add a lid or use the top it already has, your homemade sugar scrub should stay fresh and usable for quite some time.
Fill your clean candle tins with themed candy for the holidays, Valentine's, movie night or just any old time when you want to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Save some money and make your own toothbrush holder. This is an easy way to keep those toothbrushes off the counter and out of the way. You will like this DIY even more if you like nautical-style decor.
See how many fun ways you can reuse old candle jars?
All of these upcycle ideas are fast, easy to do and unique as well. Instead of tossing that jar in the trash, do your best to find it a new home!
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Do you have any other tips on how to repurpose used candle jars?
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