How to Recycle Candle Jars for Crafts

If you burn jar candles, you can make your own craft jars. Just recycle candle jars that have been used up by removing the leftover wax and labels. Clean and reuse them as craft jars or storage jars. Be green – recycle!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• used candle jar
• pot
• stove
• container for hot wax
• paper towels or rag
• soap and water

1. Examine the jars you want to clean. Remove any that show cracks and chips in the glass. Place your dirty, wax encrusted candle jars that pass inspection inside your pot. Keep some space around the jars - do not pack them in. Add water to cover the bottom of the pot and about a couple of inches of the jars. Do not put water in the jars and remember to remove any jar lids.

2. Turn on the stove and heat the water up. Get it to the point where it starts to boil. When the water gets hot enough, it will start to melt the wax inside the craft jars to be. Wait until the wax has all turned into liquid, then turn off the stove burner.

3. Carefully remove the jar and pour the wax into your used wax container. Use pot holders, the jars are hot. Be careful not to spill the hot wax on yourself. It will burn you! If you don't have a used wax container, try putting some newspaper sheets inside a garbage can. Form the newspaper so it forms a bowl in the center and pour the wax into this space. Don't move until the wax gets hard.

4. While the jar is still warm, but not too hot, scrape away the remaining wax. Try using a spatula to remove visible wax. Wipe the remaining wax film away with a paper towel or rag.

5. 
   recycled candle jar ready for crafts or storage

   Now that 99% of the wax has been removed you can get rid of the rest of the wax by washing with soap and water. Rinse well and dry the glass jar.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove loose labels with tongs and toss them in the garbage. Use a butter knife to scrape any remaining labels off.
• Grasping stuck wick holders with needle nose pliers, and twisting or pulling lightly, will usually remove them.
• Not recommended for children.
• Be careful handling the hot jars. Do not splash or spill the hot water. You can be burned.
• DO NOT put wax down the sink drain. It will clog your pipes.
• DO NOT place jars with wax and labels in your dishwasher – you could ruin the machine.
• DO NOT use jars that have cracks or chips in the glass. They can break in your hands and give you some nasty cuts.

Resources

• Recycled Candle Jar Projects

[donata]

on 9/4/2009 Wow, I like this one. I have plenty of candles, but when they burn down I just discard them, I never thought of using the jar as a craft. Thanks for the tips. 5 * and a Rec!

[bluemoongoddess]

on 8/17/2009 Recycle and re-purpose, good idea!

[niteowlgardener]

on 8/13/2009 Great article on reusing old candle jars, I will have to try it out since I do burn candles.

[dressyourhorse]

on 8/11/2009 I've never wanted to take the time to recycle them since they always have the smoke and burn marks residue. Will have to try this.

[pep1player]

on 5/30/2009 very nice article