Last Updated on 05.12.2022
When a beautiful candle comes to an end, we always feel sorry to throw away the packaging. Especially when it’s glass. However, there are several ways to reuse them.
First, you need to clean the glasses and remove the remaining wax. You can add boiling water, to soften the wax, so that it is simpler to remove it. Learn more about cleaning jars in this article.
So, today we will list here at least five good ideas on how to reuse the candle jar at home.
What To Do With Old Candle Jars
We recommend reading our review of the best candle jars.
1. As a bathroom organizer
One of the simplest ways to reuse a jar of scented candles is to turn them into a bathroom organizer. You can store toothbrushes and toothpaste, cotton swabs and cotton balls, make-up brushes, lipsticks, and, if the container is large, even hairbrushes and combs.
2. As a pot for your plants
Another easy solution is to use the scented candle jar as a small pot for your home. But beware, because it doesn’t have holes underneath, you have to be careful when watering it so that it doesn’t accumulate water and kill the plant by drowning or causing fungus or slime to appear due to excess humidity.
If you take this care, let your creativity run free to bet on terrariums, cacti, succulents, or even to start the plan of having a mini vegetable garden at home.
3. As an office organizer
Office supply storage: Paper clips, rubber bands, binder clips, pens, markers, scissors – all stay at home in an adapted candle jar. Clean up clutter from office supplies in a snap, with no extra preparation required.
4. As a mini lamp
Also use the empty jar to create a mini lamp for the bedroom or living room. Just roll that battery-operated Christmas light into the container and turn it on whenever night falls.
5. Tea Box
A large candle cup with a lid could be used to hold the tea.
6. Lipstick storage
Do you spend a lot of time turning purses, backpacks, and pockets inside out trying to find your lipstick or lip gloss? No more. Store all your glosses, lip liners, and lipsticks in a reused candle jar to keep them safe.
7. Hair accessory organizers
Personally, I like to organize my hair accessories in reusable jars instead of trays because, like the accessories themselves, jars come in all shapes and sizes. Tip: Three-wick candle jars work best for bulkier items, such as large clips and rubber bands, while single-wick jars are ideal for smaller items, such as hair clips. If you keep the lids on the jars, you can stack them to free up space.
8. Cups
Besides being an easy hack (just clean the jars thoroughly with soap and water), it also adds extra personality and charm to your drink.
9. Ground Coffee Jar
Whether you prefer to grind your own coffee or buy freshly ground or whole beans from your local coffee shop, you’ll love this ground coffee jar idea. Plus, a decorative carafe takes up less space and creates a nicer feel.
10. Mini safe
Whether you’re saving up for something special or need a jar to hold some spare change (on laundry day, anyone?), Converting an old candle jar into a mini safe is a quick and sustainable option.
Cuss Jar: This idea is perfect for parents, babysitters, or anyone who wants to make life a little better. Make it fun by giving the jar a clever name like “Cuss Bank,” or “I solemnly swear I don’t do the good stuff.”
11. Snack or canister treat
Consider this a unique alternative to a kitchen canister set. Use empty candle jars to store dry snacks, candy, tea bags, and pet treats. For loose, unpackaged items, make sure the jar is sealed airtight to prevent them from spoiling.
12. DIY pot for skin or lip scrub
Those interested in making their own skin or lip scrubs will appreciate this hack. Reuse clean, empty candlesticks as jars for homemade scrubs – it’s also a great gift idea! Just don’t forget the lid.
13. Mini Herb Garden
Similarly, if you’ve always wanted to grow your own herbs but never had the space or resources, now is your chance. Although candle pots vary in size, their generally smaller scale will force you to start slowly, which can help keep you from biting off more than you can chew. Plus, they are great for apartment kitchens.
14. Homemade candle pot
Next time your candle supply is running low, try melting down new pieces of wax and recycling old pots to make your own homemade candles. Although this reusable hack requires time, materials, and a lot of patience, I promise it’s worth it. Pro tip: add a few drops of essential oils for a calming touch.
15. Decorative accents or centerpieces
Want to change the centerpiece of your table or bring in new accents to complement your current decor? Two words: candle jars. Incorporating jars into your decor can add dimension, color, and texture.
For a minimalist look, remove the remaining wax and wick and place the jars throughout your home where you see fit. For a more decorative approach, fill the cleaned jars with potpourri, shells, artificial foliage, wooden beads and more.
How to Make a Candy Jar
Candy jars make a beautiful desk and home decor, and great gifts for family and friends alike. Recycling and decorating a used candle jar makes giving it as a gift all the more remarkable for anyone who loves candy and who doesn’t love candy. The steps to creating a candy jar from my middle-sized used candle container are:
- Remove tags and thoroughly wash your tapered candle holder.
- Hand dry or let it dry completely before using.
- Carefully open your E6000 glue.
- Notice that your tapered candle holder will have a top where the tapered candle would go and a bottom that flares out more prominent than the top.
- On the top side of the tapered holder, trace the rim with your E6000 glue. E6000 is made for glass to stick to glass. Do not over glue but completely cover that rim.
- Put the tapered holder down so that the glue side is up.
- Hold your used candle jar over the glued side of the tapered holder, getting it to the center of the bottom of the used candle jar.
- When you are satisfied with the placement, put the used candle jar down on the tapered candle holder’s glued side.
- Put a book or weighted item on the top of the used candle jar until it is dried – approximately 3 hours.
- Once dried, use your ribbon to measure around the center of the jar two times. Cut the ribbon there.
- With glue and a steady hand, add a line of liquid glue all around the center of the jar.
- Fold your ribbon in half so that the ends are even.
- Place the ribbon around the jar directly on top of the glue one time and tie the ribbon tight.
- Let the ribbon/glue dry (approximately 30 minutes).
- Once it is dry, tie the ribbon in a bow.
- Follow steps 10-15 to add ribbon to the base of the tapered holder.
- Your beautiful candy jar is ready to be filled with candy and a gift to a loved one or friend.
How to Make a Holder for Makeup Brushes
Used candle holders are perfect for recycling as makeup brush holders. To make one of these glammed-out brush holders, you will:
- Cover your work surface with newspaper, so glitter isn’t everywhere when you finish.
- Use a larger-sized used candle jar. I will be using my 10 oz. container.
- Since the brush part of my brushes will stick up, you can use any color glitter you like – since you can see what’s in the jar because it’s sticking up. I used three different shades of blue.
- Use your highlighter to mark small areas on the jar to determine where your colors will go.
- To get an ombré effect, apply to the container 3 even sections from bottom to top.
- Pro tip: you’ll want to start glittering this jar from the bottom up.
- Add a dollop of liquid glue to one of your paper plates.
- With one hand, hold the container and the small paintbrush with the other. Paint glue around the jar starting at the bottom up to the first line marker.
- Get the color glitter that you have decided to begin with and open it.
- Again, holding the jar with one hand over your paper plate, sprinkle the glue-covered bottom portion of your container with glitter until that bottom portion is completely covered.
- Gently put your jar down with the open part (mouth) down on paper.
- Let that glittered portion completely dry (approx. 1 hour) before moving on.
- Fold your paper plate to put excess glitter that fell off the jar back into its container.
- Repeat steps 7-13 for the second color of glitter.
- When the second color is completely dry (approx. 1 hour), hold the old candle container at the bottom to brush glue on the jar’s top portion and around the rim.
- Sprinkle the upper portion of the jar with your third color glitter and shake excess off on your paper plate.
- Put candle jar down right side up so that the top can dry (approx. 1 hour)
- Once all sections of your makeup brush holder are completely dry, use a dry paper towel to wipe the inside of the jar to avoid excess glitter getting all over your makeup brushes.
- Your makeup brush jar is now ready for use.
Conclusion
From the kitchen, to the bathroom, to the living room and children’s room, the potential for reusing these glasses in a new context is immense. The environment and your wallet will thank you.
Candle molds come in different shapes and sizes, and depending on what size and shape your jar is, you can choose the right way to use it.
If you don’t want to reuse your candle jars, you can recycle them quickly once cleaned out. Once the wax and labels are removed, the jars can be recycled like any container made of glass or whatever your candle jar is made out of. Check your local recycling center to find out how to recycle it properly.
