What to do with Empty Candle Jars

Are you a candle lover who has been left with way too many empty candle jars? Candles have numerous reasons whether for decoration or to set the mood, these are a staple item for candle lovers. The problem with having too many candles is that you probably end up with more than a few empty jars at the same time. So, what to do with empty candle jars you probably ask yourself and we are happy to share everything we know about it.

We have already stated our love for candles, it is one of our favorite items at home, these provide the perfect lighting, perfect atmosphere scent, perfect decor accent, etc. It is truly a sad moment when your favorite candle needs to be replaced and the other only downside is the pile of candle wax left behind. As annoying as it might be, that melted candle residue needs to go somewhere, and though the trash is the first place that comes to mind, it isn’t the only one.

Candle wax actually has other uses that you might find helpful. So before you decide to throw away the candle leftover in the trash; consider possible reuses around your house. You may be surprised at what you can do with leftover candle wax. If interested, below you’ll find different ideas regarding what to do with leftover candle wax.

What to do with Empty Candle Jars FAQs

How to get candle wax out of the jar?

1. Freezing the jar or metal container for a half hour or so should harden the wax and make it easier to remove in one piece.
2. Heat the jars upside down in a low-temperature oven (less than 200 degrees F) on a tray lined with parchment paper until the wax drips from the jars.
3. Removing the wax is also possible by gently heating the jars on the stovetop using a double boiler.
4. To remove the sticky labels, try a mixture of oil and baking soda scrubbed onto the jar with a steel wool pad.

How should you dispose of candle wax?

Try to use every last bit of your candle wax by melting it even after the wick is gone. When there’s so little left that you must get rid of it, remove it from the jar (while hardened) and throw it in the garbage.

Is it okay to flush candle wax?

Candle wax should never be flushed down the toilet or put down the drain. When it hardens, it will almost certainly create a blockage. Plus, it’s often made of paraffin wax and other toxic ingredients that can harm aquatic life.

Can candle jars be recycled?

Candles in tin jars or standard soda-lime glass can usually be recycled curbside. Check which kind of material the jar is made of first, though, as some glass types are too heat-tolerant to be recycled normally.

What to do with Empty Candle Jars Ideas

#1 Store Food/Leftovers

One popular use for glass candle jars is to meal prep recipes for the next day, like salads and overnight oats. If there’s liquid in the jar, like a salad dressing, keep it on the bottom layer so the rest of the ingredients won’t be soggy by the time you eat.

Leftover jars are great for storing homemade jams, jellies, preserves, and curds. These goods should be stored in the fridge, as jars being used a second time cannot be hermetically sealed.

#2 Make a Window Garden

Candle jars without lids make great containers for small window gardens. Plants like green onion, celery, leafy vegetables, bean sprouts, and other food scraps can be regrown by simply placing them in a jar with water.
Besides the obvious, you are also adding a little green scenery to your kitchen.

Small jars also work well for hosting starter plants before the roots grow too large and they need to be transplanted. Don’t let your plants grow in jars for too long unless they like wet feet, the roots could rot due to lack of drainage once the plant reaches a certain size.

#3 Ferment Foods

Candle jars with lids are ideal for fermentation, provided the glass is food safe. Various kimchis, sauerkraut, and fire cider are all great options. A larger jar without a lid could be covered with cheesecloth and used to store a kombucha scoby.

#4 Freezing Food

Probably the most important thing to remember when storing glass jars in the freezer is to allow extra space at the top for what’s inside to expand as it freezes. Wide mouth jars are best, and the possibilities are basically endless. From soups to stocks and smoothies, you can use your former candle jar to freeze your favorites.

#5 Homemade Lip Gloss

Candle tins are great for homemade balms, typically some mixture of beeswax and/or shea butter along with essential oils. Other homemade beauty products like bath salts or dried herbs for soaking in the bath also keep well in upcycled candle containers.

#6 Table Decorations

Decorative glass jars can add beauty to dining room tables, bookshelves, or side tables around the house. Try adding found items from nature like pine cones, pine needles, or dried flowers, that can also add pleasant, subtle scents.

#7 Organize the Bathroom/Office

Another great use for old jars is storage for items typically found in the bathroom like Q-tips, cotton balls, and hair ties. Keeping jars of like items together will also help with organization.

Myriad office supplies can be stored in jars, everything from pens and pencils to staples, paperclips, and small post-it notes.

#8 Extend the Shelf Life of Herbs and Spices

Teas, dried herbs, and spices purchased in bulk or in plastic packaging will last longer if transferred and stored in glass jars with a tight-sealing lid. Whole-leaf teas also add to the decor of any kitchen when stored in clear glass.

#9 Candy Display

You could even create a beautiful display of candies and treats by using old candle jars. We could see this same thing being some for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and even Easter.

#10 Build a Terrarium

Closed terrariums usually consist of rocks or pebbles, moss, soil, and various decorations, and can be constructed inside of old candle jars with lids. Take care to sustainably harvest your moss and remove any bugs that may appear. With bigger glass candle jars, you can clean out any excess wax and turn them into something similar. Even small pieces could be used in funky clusters to spruce up the house.

Tools:

• Candle Jar with Lid
• Activated Charcoal
• Potting Soil
• Decorative Gravel
• Tweezers

Horticultural Charcoal

Perfect Plants Horticultural Charcoal is a lightweight and mild soil additive that will assist in draining excess moisture from any container or potted plant.

Charcoal prolongs the life of soil media by balancing pH levels and sweetening the soil of potted plants and terrariums.

The porous nature of Charcoal self-regulates excess moisture in any container while absorbing essential nutrients.

Features:

• Easy to Use
• Medium Size
• Heavy-Duty Bag

Premium Organic Potting Natural

Burpee Organic Premium Potting Mix is formulated with plant food & coconut coir to promote seed & root growth and healthy flower, vegetable & herb plants.

Use this growing mix for planting in containers or raised beds. The potting soil feeds plants instantly, then provides a slow-release plant food that feeds for up to 3 months.

Whether you’re growing organic herbs, vegetable seeds, or flowers in raised beds or patio containers, this growing mix will make the job a breeze.

Features:

• Retains Moisture
• Soil Mix
• Indoor/Outdoor

Mix Horticultural Lava Rock Pebbles

This succulent gritty mix is super well in water drainage, best for drought-tolerant succulents and cactus, helps your plants grow beautiful colors, and also effectively prevents rover water.

This gritty mix is made up of professional formulation which keeps its good drainage and also supplies the necessary nutrition for plants growing.

This professional gritty mix could also be used as succulent and cactus soil additive or some other soil to improve their water drainage.

Features:

• DIY Material
• Widely Usage
• Decorative

Directions:

1. Add 1/4″ charcoal to the bottom of the jar.
2. Add 1/2″ of soil on top of the charcoal.
3. Even it out in the jar.
4. Pour gravel on top – enough all dirt covered.
5. Using tweezers, plant the baby plants. You can use up to 3 varieties. Add water.
6. Put the lid on.