What to Do With Used Candle Jars
Jar candles are popular, and there are several uses for the jars the candles come in after the candles have burnt out. The jars are typically good quality and rather attractive, so it is a shame to throw them away or toss them into the glass recycling bin. Reusing your used candle jars in your home for candles, organizing, gardening and more is a good solution to this dilemma.
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Cleaning Used Candle Jars
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Before you can reuse a candle jar, you do have to get it clean. Candle jars often contain the remains of the old candle, soot residue and general household grime. Start by putting your candle jar in the freezer for several hours. This will cause the wax to shrink somewhat and become brittle. You can then tap the jar and the wax should release easily. Once you have removed the remainder of the previous candle, soak the jar in hot water with some dish soap and it should wash easily.
Make New Candles
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You can reuse candle jars to hold newly poured candles or use wax beads to easily make a new candle. To make a candle using wax beads, suspend a wick over the jar, then simply fill the jar with the small, scented wax beads. Trim the wick to 1/2 inch above the level of the wax. If scent residue remains in the jar, choose a compatible scent for the new candle.
Organize Your Stuff
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Candle jars make attractive holders for various small home items. Consider using large jars to store buttons, thread spools, small scrapbooking supplies or other craft items. You can also store paper clips, binder clips, rubber bands or other small office supplies in candle jars. Have your children decorate candle jars and use them to hold their treasures including tiny toys, shells or rock collections. Candle jars without lids can hold pencils, pens or straight knitting needles.
Decorate Your Garden
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Candle jars are a great item for decorators, both for those with green thumbs and those without. You could add tiny plants to your candle jar and create a terrarium or use the jars to force spring bulbs during the winter months. Or, you could fill the jars with interesting natural items, including sand or colored sand, seashells, plant material and more. High-end, commercially-produced potpourri blends may be a good way to easily create a natural, visually attractive mixture of items.
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