Going green and striving to live a sustainable lifestyle is much more attainable than you may think, especially with a bit of creativity and a little extra effort when it comes to getting creative and utilizing what you have around the home.
Are you looking for ways to recycle and reuse candle jars for future purposes? Do you want to use your jars for additional candles, but you are unsure of where to begin in order to clean and remove built-up wax and/or residue? In this guide, learn how to quickly and safely remove and clean wax from old candle jars while also discovering how you can put reused and recycled candle jars to use in your home or place of business.
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What You Will Need for Reuse Candle Jars
Because there are multiple methods for cleaning and reusing candle jars, you may require a few of the following tools depending on your chosen route:
- Pots for boiling water
- Butter knife or scraper/spoon for removal of wax
- Paper towels for additional cleanup (in some cases)
- Stove or freezer, depending on your preferred cleaning method(s)
1. Boiling Candle Jars
Do you have stubborn candle soy wax in old jars that simply will not come out or remove easily? When this occurs, it is possible to melt the remaining candle wax within your leftover jars using a similar boiling method as when you melt candle wax prior to pouring.
When melting wax candles that are already in jars, be sure to use the double boiler method to avoid placing the jar directly into the boiling water or ruining the jar or glass you intend to recycle and reuse.
Boil a large pot of water (filled halfway with hot water), placing a glass bowl or a smaller pot on top of the water. Place the old candle jars with wax and residue inside of the pot on top of the boiling water to avoid getting the jar(s) wet while also providing the heat necessary to melt and loosen up old hardened wax and residue.
Allow the heat to reach the candle within the double boiler, which may take a few minutes. In some cases, the process may require 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the candles you intend to melt, the type of jar or glass the candles are within, as well as the amount of wax needed to melt.
Dumping the Remaining Wax
Once you have melted the candle using the double boil method, you can then dump the remaining melted wax into an excess container or jar. Avoid dumping excess wax down your toilet or any sink in your home, as wax immediately hardens upon cooling down, which will likely clog your drains or cause major issues throughout your piping.
After dumping the excess candle wax you have melted, you can then use a wet paper towel or rag to clean the rest of your jar while it is still warm.
2. Remove Wax Using a Candle Warmer
Do you have a candle warmer in your home? If so, you’re in luck. Using a candle warmer is another way to help loosen up older candle wax, residue, and build-up to help you save and preserve all of your favorite candle jars and glass containers.
Simply clean the warming dish of your candle warmer and place the jar or glass container on top of the warming dish, similar to placing a wax melt into the dish itself. Allow the candle warmer to heat up and penetrate your jar, in turn melting the remaining wax or residue.
Once the wax and residue have been successfully melted, you can then pour the remaining wax into an alternative container for storage, disposal, or even for resuing in the future with other wax products or candles you intend to make.
3. Pouring Boiling Water
Once you have boiled water using a kettle or another temperature-controlled device, you also have the option of pouring the water directly over the candle jar that still contains residue and buildup. This method is only advised for difficult candle jars or those that may not fit within a double boiler.
Allow the hot water to sit over the candle wax, slowly melting it and breaking it away from the glass jar itself. In most cases, the residue and candle wax will break away from the glass jar and float to the top, allowing for easy removal and dumping. If you intend to reuse the wax you are removing from your old jars, it is not advisable to use this method as the wax will come in direct contact with the hot water, which may render it more difficult to work with in the future.
4. The Freezer Method
You can also put your freezer to good use when reusing and recycling old candle jars, especially if you intend to use more than one jar again in the future. When working with multiple candle jars, placing them in the freezer can help to expedite the process of hardening excess wax and residue, allowing for easier breaking up and removal.
Place the candle jar(s) you intend to use again in the future into your freezer. In some cases, you may only require a few minutes to 30 minutes in order for the wax to harden to a place where it is much easier to work with and remove. Once the wax is frozen and hard, you can remove the candle jars from the freezer and pop the remaining wax out using a butter knife or similar tool.
If you are still having trouble with this method with your current type of candle jars, try breaking up the candle before placing it into the freezer using a knife or another type of sharp object. Loosening up the wax prior to placing the candle jar into the freezer may help make the process much easier once it is time for the complete removal of wax.
Reusing and Recycling Candle Jars
One of the biggest advantages of recycling and cleaning your candle jars is the immense creative opportunity they provide. Reusing glass jars is optimal if you are creating your very own candles or if you have a candle-making business of your own. You can also reuse and recycle old candle jars to keep for decorative purposes around the home by adding flowers, rocks, crystals, and another decor within.
Use glass candle jars to organize makeup brushes and to store pens, crafting tools, and even cookware such as plastic straws and plasticware. Glass jars can be used just about anywhere with a bit of creative brainstorming.
Reusing and recycling candle jars is a great way to cut back on waste while also getting creative whether you are in the candle-making business or if you are seeking new cute and unique ways to store items throughout your home. With a bit of experimentation, find the right recycling method that is optimal for you and the type of candle jars you intend to clean and reuse.
Are you in the process of cleaning out your house and you are looking for ways to put your candle jars to good use? Do you want to reuse your candle tins repeatedly to cut back on waste while also creating scents of your own? I hope this tutorial provided you with a clear path to reusing candle jars without letting them go to waste no matter what project and creative endeavor you have in mind!
What method of candle wax removal works best for you? What are the best ways you put your old and recycled candle jars to use? Let us know in the comments below!
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Conclusion
Finding the right candle mold could often sound like an easy task. However, if you are an enthusiast or make candles regularly for a business, you would know very well that these molds also need to be chosen with a lot of considerations.
Candle molds come in different shapes and sizes and depending on what size and shape you are looking for; you could decide on the right option for you.
However, there are some common technical and/or performance issues that can come up while using any candle molds. This can often happen if you use poor quality wax or are dealing with inconsistent pouring temperatures.
Even though the markets are full of efficient and a great variety of candle kits, market experts often predict years of future technologies that could very well help in the creation of advanced kits.
So, have you decided on the right candle mold for yourself yet?
A source: www.bhg.com
