Making candles is a rewarding and pleasurable activity for many crafters. Candles may be used and reused in various containers, but eventually, these containers must be cleaned, which is when the stuck-on wax becomes an irritation. There's no need to feel that way anymore; there are some really simple ways to get rid of it!
HOW TO REMOVE WAX FROM CANDLE JARS
When you finish your candle, there will normally be a layer of wax at the bottom. This is natural and serves as protection. On the other hand, excess wax might be difficult to extract since water and oil do not mix, and you should never pour wax down the drain. Fortunately, there are two simple methods for removing the remaining wax from your candle jars right in your kitchen.
One makes use of an oven, while the other makes use of a freezer; both operate beautifully. You can use the oven for almost any glass or ceramic candle holder. This is our recommended approach because the heat performs the majority of the process! Here are six easy actions to take:
-
Preheat your oven to its lowest temperature (145F to 170F).
-
Line a pie plate or baking sheet with tinfoil or wax paper, making it water-tight to keep the melted wax contained.
-
Place your candle on the plate or paper upside down, and put it in the oven.
-
After 6-10 minutes, gently remove it from the oven with oven gloves.
-
Wipe away any remaining wax from the vase with a towel, then remove the wick with a spoon.
-
After removing all of the wax, wash with some liquid soap, and you're done!
Another option for cleaning old candle jars is to lay them in the freezer for many hours overnight. Because of the extreme cold, wax shrinks and breaks from the glass. Then carefully probe and break the wax with a blunt knife. It should come out in several pieces. Just be careful not to damage the container!
Once the wax has been removed (either in the oven or by freezing), pull the metal wick tab out with a spoon, and clean the container with a paper towel and a dab of olive oil. Then, just clean your empty candle container with soap and water like you would any other dish, and your jar will be ready for repurposing!
HOW TO DECORATE CANDLE JARS
Preparing your glass is the first step. This is an important step if you want the paint or Mod Podge to adhere. Remove debris, dust, and grease layer by thoroughly washing with warm, soapy water. You can do the same thing with isopropyl alcohol and cotton balls. Before you start producing, let your vessel dry.
This Christmas, New Year's, or any other occasion, these DIY glitter candle holders will make your table setting gleam! These Christmas candle holders are simple to create even if you've never Mod Podged before. You'll be dusting glass votives with a mixture of glitter and Epsom salt.
Supplies for glitter candle jars
-
Clear votives
-
Epsom salt
-
Gold glitter
-
Mod Podge Matte
-
Paintbrush
-
Any paper
Step 1. Use mild soap and water to clean and dry your votives, or rub alcohol and cotton balls. You want them to be clean and smudge-free, with no fingerprints.
Step 2. In a mixing bowl, combine equal parts Epsom salt and gold glitter.
Step 3. Brush Mod Podge on in strokes. I wanted the effect to be a little sloppy, so I just brushed from the bottom to the top rim of the glass, altering the heights as I went.
Step 4. Spread the Epsom salt and glitter mixture onto the votive — a spoon or a scoop works best for this. Allow drying after shaking off the excess.
And you're finished! Simply insert a tea light, and you've got yourself some gorgeous touches for your Christmas table.
WHAT TO DO WITH EMPTY CANDLE JARS
We have several suggestions for reusing the empty candle jars:
Make a new Candle from Old Wax – You may use the old wax and a new wick to make a new candle, or you can use the Latest wax to make a new candle. You can buy wax from any local shop and just melt it down before adding it to an empty jar and inserting your wick for a fresh new candle.
Flower vase - Diffuser bottles are great vases for single flowers or a stem of leaves because they don't take up too much space. Even a little gum tree branch or a few flowers from the yard will brighten any space.
Window Planter - Succulents and cactus can be planted in a jar. Because they don't want much water, they make a nice gift or look beautiful on a window sill.
Tea Light Holder – Put a tea light into the jar to create a stunning visual effect used inside or out. If you're feeling very creative, you can even paint the outside of any clear glass.
Pens and Pencils – The jars make excellent pen and pencil holders. Fill with your favorite selection of pens and pencils and place them on your table.
WHAT TO DO WITH OLD CANDLE JARS
Whether your empty candle jar is several years old or a new favorite, reviving it with fresh life and purpose is a great way to reinvigorate your decorations. If you already have an empty candle jar, you can use it for nearly any new purpose you can think of. Simple possibilities include utilizing it as storage for accessories or desk materials or adding it to your kitchen cabinet as a glass bottle.
You may store your jar wherever you have small items lying around, such as makeup brushes, wayward pencils, or gem clips. Based on the scale of your candle jar, you may even use it in your dining area as a tiny vase for fresh flowers like lavender. If you enjoy having plants in your house, one creative reuse option is to transform an empty candle jar into a planter pot for flowers, herbs, or succulents by adding soil and water.
Decorative glass jars can lend a touch of elegance to dining room tables, bookcases, and side tables around the home. Try using natural elements such as pine cones, pine needles, or dried flowers, which may also give lovely, mild smells.
HOW TO REUSE CANDLE JARS
There are no skills necessary for any of these recycling ideas, which need nothing more than a newly cleaned-out candle jar.
Repot your succulents
Finding the appropriate pot might be tough, but you've already given your candles a thumbs up, so why not repurpose those jars as succulent containers? They'll appear elegant, and if you have more than one of the same candles, they'll match flawlessly.
Up the ambiance of your home
Fill a few empty candle jars with coiled fairy lights and set them in your window. It'll offer quick mood lighting whether you're eating dinner for two indoors or organizing a Saturday night movie night for the whole family.
Re-gift them
After you've wiped them out, clear glass containers make excellent gift boxes. Stack them with chocolates and other treats and finish with a gleaming metallic ribbon. Friends and family will appreciate the unexpected twist.
How to recycle candle jars
Candles lend a touch of elegance to any room. They can perfume your house gently and offer light when the power goes out. But what do you do with all those empty waxy containers? These containers may be used in a variety of handicraft objects, and please do not throw them away. Here are nine creative ways to reuse candle jars.
Planter
Do you require the ideal container to house the seedlings you sprouted to provide as a gift? After you've removed the old wax from your candle jar, it's the perfect vessel. You may make the work simpler by freezing the container overnight, then chipping away the remains and rinsing it with warm, soapy water. Begin by adding a layer of gravel to allow water to drain, then potting soil and your prized seedling. To avoid the soil from drying out, add another layer of ornamental rock.
Vacation Memories
Did your most recent beach excursion leave you hoping you could never say goodbye to the sand? Why not bring a little of it with you the next time to serve as the foundation for your vacation memories jar? Old candle jars may be repurposed to house small natural memories such as stones and pinecones. Use a photograph as a backdrop and possibly a little electric tea light to draw attention to your treasures.
Parfait Jars
They make charming food containers when you properly clean and remove the old wax from vintage candle jars. Because of their transparent sides, they're ideal for a parfait. You may use yogurt and berries, possibly with a sprinkle of oats. If you have a sweet craving, a dollop of whipped cream on top of your creation completes it.
Holiday Snow Globes
If you enjoy snow globes, you don't have to limit yourself to store-bought designs. With a little confetti and some repurposed candle jars, you can let your creativity go wild. You may save seasonal memories, such as the Santa-shaped favor you received as part of your family meal out on the town. Alternatively, you may manufacture low-cost decorations by utilizing pinecones and other natural features as decorations for your fantasy snowstorm. Water, a few drops of glycerin, and glitter are the only additional ingredients required to make magic.
Sources:
