Should You Reuse Candle Jars?

Candle jars are a common household item that many people have lying around. While the first instinct may be to throw them away after the candle is used up, these glass jars can actually be reused in a variety of creative ways. Reusing candle jars is an easy way to repurpose something you already have, keeping it out of the landfill. It can also help you save money by avoiding buying new containers. This article will explore the pros and cons of reusing candle jars, provide safety tips, and suggest creative ways you can repurpose these versatile glass jars around your home.

Pros of Reusing Candle Jars

Reusing candle jars can provide many benefits, both practical and environmental. Here are some of the main pros of repurposing old candle jars:

Aesthetically Pleasing

Candle jars often feature beautiful, decorative designs. Reusing them around the home allows you to enjoy their appearance beyond just the candle’s lifetime. Their colors and shapes can be worked into a variety of decorative projects.

Repurpose for Storage

The lidded glass jars are perfectly sized for storing small items like craft supplies, office supplies, jewelry, hair accessories, and more. They keep contents clean and organized. According to one source, “Finding innovative uses for an existing product removes the need to buy a new item and keeps the glass from ending up in a landfill.” [1]

Eco-Friendly

Repurposing jars is an environmentally-conscious choice. It keeps the glass out of landfills and eliminates the need to purchase new containers. Reusing items conserves resources and energy.

Saves Money

Finally, reusing candle jars is economically friendly. It provides free storage solutions and craft materials, eliminating the need to buy new jars, vases, or containers. DIY projects with reused jars also make great inexpensive handmade gifts.

Cons of Reusing Candle Jars

While reusing old candle jars can be handy, creative, and environmentally friendly, there are some downsides to consider before deciding to repurpose your used jars.

One major concern when reusing jars for new candles is fire safety. Glass can become stressed from the constant heating and cooling process of burning candles. This can lead to cracks or weak spots in the glass that you may not notice at first glance. But over time, reheating a compromised jar can cause it to shatter or explode (The Pros and Cons of Recycling Candle Jars). This poses a serious risk of fire or injury. For this reason, many candle suppliers caution against reusing old jars for new candles.

Even if you plan to reuse candle jars for non-candle purposes, getting the scent out of the jars can be a real challenge. Candle wax can absorb and retain scents and oils even after the wax itself is removed. The remaining scent can be offputting if you want to store a different item in the jar, or make food items like cookies or bath salts. No matter how much you clean, some aroma may linger (Glass candle jars — environmental considerations). This may limit your options for repurposing the jars.

Safety Tips

When reusing candle jars, it’s important to follow some basic safety tips:

First, wash the jars thoroughly with hot, soapy water to remove any remaining wax or residue. Scrub both the inside and outside of the jars. According to How to reuse candle jars to make more candles (source), pouring boiling water into the jar and letting the wax melt is an effective cleaning method.

Second, remove any labels or glue from the outside of the jar. Use a glue dissolving product or hot water to help remove sticker residue. Getting rid of any labels will allow you to reuse or decorate the outside of the jar more easily.

Finally, make sure to remove all remaining wax from the jar. Any wax left behind can impact the results if you want to make new candles or use the jars for food storage. Use hot water, an old towel, or a wax melter tool to fully clean out wax remnants from the jar (source).

Taking these basic safety steps will ensure your reused candle jars are clean and ready for creative new uses.

Creative Ways to Reuse

There are many creative ways you can reuse old candle jars around your home. Some ideas include:

• Q-tip holder – Clean out the wax and add some decorative elements like gems, ribbons, or paint to personalize the jar. Place cotton swabs or Q-tips inside for bathroom storage.

• Makeup brush holder – A short, wide jar can neatly organize makeup brushes on a bathroom counter or vanity. Add beads or marbles to the bottom to hold brushes upright.

• Desk organizer – Use different sized jars to hold office supplies like pens, pencils, paper clips, and more. Arrange them neatly on a desk.

• Potted plant holder – Plant small houseplants or herbs inside a reused jar. Add pebbles for drainage. The glass lets light in for the plants.

When Not to Reuse

While reusing candle jars can be a fun DIY project, there are times when it’s better to just recycle the glass and not reuse the jar. According to the New York Times, you should avoid reusing candle jars if they are damaged or cracked in any way ¹. Cracked or damaged glass can break easily when reheated or put under pressure. This poses a safety risk, especially if using the jar for food storage or kids’ crafts.

The Banter and Bliss blog also advises against using old candle jars to store food ². Even if thoroughly cleaned, remnants of wax or fragrance could leech into the food. It’s safer to keep candle jars for non-edible uses.

When doing kids’ crafts with recycled jars, also inspect closely for any damage. Cracked jars are prone to shattering if kids handle them roughly while decorating. Opt for sturdy, undamaged jars for children’s projects, and supervise closely to prevent injury from broken glass.

Removing Labels and Wax

When reusing candle jars, you’ll first want to thoroughly clean them by removing any labels, residue, and built up wax. Here are some tips for tackling this initial cleaning step:

Freezing the jar overnight will help make removing the wax easier. The cold temperature hardens the wax so it chips off more cleanly. Place the jar in the freezer for at least 12 hours before scraping.

Mix together baking soda and vinegar to create a fizzy paste. Apply the paste to the wax remnants and residue, let it sit for 5 minutes, then wipe away. The acidity in the vinegar reacts with the baking soda to loosen up the wax.

Goo Gone is an adhesive remover designed for tackling sticky residue. Apply it to the jar’s surface and let it soak in for a minute before wiping away. Be sure to wash the jar thoroughly after using Goo Gone.

Use an old gift card or credit card to scrape away wax build up. Hold the card at an angle and carefully scrape off any leftover wax. This works best for hard-to-reach spots like crevices and corners.

Making New Candles

If you want to reuse your candle jars to make new candles, there are some important safety precautions to take. According to this source, you should always wear gloves when handling hot wax to avoid burns. Work in a well-ventilated area since melting wax can produce fumes. Keep children and pets away from the melting and pouring process.

It’s also crucial to use the proper wick for your new candle. The width of the wick determines how large the flame will be. An oversized wick can create big, sooty flames and tunneling in the wax. Refer to wick size charts based on the diameter of your candle jar. Pre-tabbed wicks make wick centering easier.

The type of wax you use also matters. Paraffin wax is common, affordable, and easy to use. Beeswax and soy wax are natural options. Gel wax containers retain scent well. Experiment to find the wax that provides your preferred burn quality and fragrance throw. According to this source, a blend of waxes can allow for customization.

Decorating Jars

Old candle jars can be transformed into beautiful decorative pieces for your home. Here are some easy ways to decorate them:

Paint ideas: Apply a fresh coat of spray paint in any color to update the look. Try a glossy paint for a bright pop of color or a matte finish for a more muted effect. Stencil patterns onto the jars for extra flair. Chalk paint is another option that gives a vintage, distressed look.

Glitter: Make your jars sparkle by coating them with mod podge and then dipping them in glitter. Try chunkier glitter or different color mixes for more texture and visual interest. Let the glue fully dry before gently wiping away excess glitter.

Flowers: Use floral wire or hot glue to attach faux flowers around the outside of the jar for a romantic, whimsical statement. Ribbons and raffia can add a complementary rustic touch. Display freshly cut flowers in the jars as charming vases.

Twine: Wrapping twine or jute around the jar creates a natural, organic look. Try crisscrossing the twine diagonally for more visual appeal. You can also weave twigs between the twine strands for a woodsy touch.

Conclusion

In summary, reusing candle jars can be a fun craft project or a way to repurpose something you already have at home. The pros include giving jars a second life, saving money, and being able to customize them exactly how you want. The cons are that jars may retain smells or wax residue, and you need to take safety precautions when removing labels and melting wax. You’ll want to avoid reusing jars that are cracked or damaged. When preparing a jar for reuse, use proper tools and ventilation. You can decorate jars to use as storage containers, create homemade candles, or display them around your home. With some creativity, candle jars can be upcycled into many decorative pieces. Just be sure to take the proper safety steps when handling used jars and melted wax.

In the end, reusing candle jars is an eco-friendly activity that breathes new life into old containers. With some simple tips, you can safely transform them into beautiful and functional items.