DIY Scented Baby Jar Candles

Recycle old jars and use them to house homemade candles.

Scented candles make wonderful decorations as well as practical air fresheners for the home. Instead of investing in expensive store-bought candles, you can make simple and fragrant candles in recycled glass containers. This is a great craft to put old baby food jars to good use.

Things You'll Need

• Paraffin wax
• Fragrance oil
• Double-boiler or 2 different-sized pots
• Wicks (pre-tabbed)
• Glue gun
• pen
• Clothespins
• Melting wax
• Thermometer
• Baby food jars

Instructions

1. Remove the barrel or the plastic body of the pen. Insert the wick through the barrel, so that the tab is at one end. Hold the wick from the top end and apply glue to the bottom of the tab. Press onto the bottom of the glass jar. Slide the barrel off. Clip the top of the wick with a clothespin and rest it on the mouth of the jar.

2. Fill the bottom pan of the double-boiler with water. Place over medium heat. Melt wax completely in the top pan. Wax should melt nicely at 170 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Add a few drops of fragrance oil to the wax when melted. You can also add candle dye to color your wax.

4. Pour the wax into the jar, avoiding the clothespin. Fill the jar about 3/4 full. Save some wax to fill up the remainder of the jar later. Let cool completely, at least six hours.

5. Remelt the saved wax and pour into the jar. Fill until the original top layer is covered. Cool. Cut wick to 1/4 inch.

Tips & Warnings

• Always trim your candle to 1/4 inch, after each use.

• Never leave candles unattended.

• Do not burn candles for more than a few hours at a time.

References

• Candle Tech: "How to Make Container Candles"