How to Clean and Reuse Your Candle Jar (and the wax!) | Wandering Bud

How to Clean and Reuse Your Candle Jar

We’ve all had those thoughts after finishing a candle, “I wonder if I could reuse this?” or “this is a nice jar, I don’t want to throw it away!” Well, you don’t have to! Cleaning and reusing your candle jar is so simple that there are multiple ways to do it, but I’ll just give you my two favorite methods—Hot Water Method and Freezer Method.

Hot Water Method

The Hot Water Method has been my tried and true solution to candle jar wax removal for years! Not only is it simple to do, but it’ll leave your kitchen smelling amazing as you’re cleaning it.

See the list below for necessary supplies and follow the instructions that accompany it.

Supplies You'll Need:

• Hot Water (+ Heat-Safe Vessel)
• Scooping Utensil (Spoon, Fork)
• Scrub Sponge/Dish Rag
• Dish Soap

Optional:

• Extra container *

Step 1: Boil water in a heat-safe vessel (on the stove or in the microwave).

Step 2: Carefully pour the hot water into your burnt out candle jar and watch as the wax melts.

Step 3: Let the water and wax cool (about 30–60 minutes).

Step 4: Use a scooping utensil to extract leftover wax and the metal wick-holder. *After discarding the wick holder, you can save the leftover wax in an extra container to use for an at-home candle refill!

Step 5: Use a scrub sponge or dish rag, dish soap, and warm water to clean out any wax residue and black marks from the flame.

Freeze Method

The Freeze Method is the less messy way of going about candle jar wax removal. It takes less prep time and you can come back to it whenever you’re ready!

See the list below for necessary supplies and follow the instructions that accompany it.

Supplies You'll Need:

• Freezer
• Butter knife
• Scrub Sponge/Dish Rag
• Dish Soap
• Water

Optional:

• Extra container *

Step 1: Put your burnt out candle in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Take the jar out of the freezer and use a butter knife to pry out the frozen wax and metal wick-holder. *After discarding the wick holder, you can save the leftover wax in an extra container to use for an at-home candle refill!

Step 3: Use a scrub sponge or dish rag, dish soap, and warm water to clean out any wax residue and black marks from the flame.

What Can I Use My Empty Candle Jar For?

Now that your candle jar is squeaky clean, you can continue to use it for whatever you’d like! I don’t recommend using it for food and drink purposes due to the lingering smell, though you could (as long as it’s glass or food-safe glazed interior).

The intended purpose for all of our candle jars is to use it as a stash jar for your marjuana. The food-safe glazed interior with natural cork lid makes for a tight seal that will surely keep your flower fresh and away from the landlord's eyes and nose! Plus, the opaque nature of ceramic helps keep your bud away from UV light, which can degrade the quality.

If that’s not your vibe, there are plenty of other ways to use your cleared-out candle jar! For example you can store:

• Cosmetic tools—makeup brushes, tweezers, etc.
• Paint brushes
• Craft/sewing supplies (with or without cork lid)
• Writing utensils
• Coins (with or without cork lid)
• Plant propagations
• Hardware fasteners—nails, nuts, bolts, screws
• Matches, lighters
• & more!

You can even reuse it as another candle jar! Just save up leftover wax from your burnt out candles and viola! You’ll be able to make your own at-home candle concoction in no time.

Thanks for reading. Share our tips and tricks with your Buds!

Written by Gabby Smith | Available for freelance, email at gabfsmith@gmail.com