It's that dreaded time again. Your favorite candle just burnt out. Now you're stuck with either throwing it away or finding a way to repurpose it. But you've already repurposed a different candle vessel for your cotton swabs, and another as a small plant pot. What's next?
Whether you're wondering "how to refill candles," "can you refill candle jars," or "how to refill a candle with wax," this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about refilling candles at home.
Can You Refill Candles?
The quick answer is yes! You can absolutely refill your candle jar with new wax. With the right tools and materials, refillable candles are a great, sustainable option to enjoy candlelight without the waste.
There are two main approaches to refilling candles:
DIY refilling: Making your own candle wax from scratch and pouring it into your empty jar. This requires purchasing wax, wicks, fragrance oils, and various tools. It's more involved but gives you complete control over ingredients and scents.
Ready-made refills: Using pre-made candle refills designed to pop into reusable vessels. This is faster, easier, and requires no candle-making knowledge or equipment.
Read on to gather tips, tricks, and how-tos for both approaches so you can choose what works best for you.
The Benefits of Refilling Candle Containers
An estimated 2 billion candles are sold each year, with an equal or greater number of jars ending up in landfills. Reusing candle containers helps you become more sustainable by reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfills.
Refilling candle jars also helps to reduce energy consumption, as it takes less energy to reuse an existing container than to produce a new one from raw materials. This helps reduce our carbon footprint by decreasing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
Additional benefits include:
- Cost savings: Refills are typically cheaper than buying new candles in new jars
- Keep beautiful vessels: If you love your candle jar, you don't have to part with it
- Reduce clutter: No accumulation of empty jars you feel guilty throwing away
- Customize scents: With DIY refilling, you can create custom fragrances
It takes the right tools, materials, and a little bit of effort, but with a bit of instruction, anyone can learn how to refill their candles.
Before We Jump In: The Refillable Candle Starter Kit by ReCandle Co. May Be What You Need
We'll walk you through how you can refill your empty candles DIY-style, but if you're looking for an easier option, we've got you: the refillable candle Starter Kit by ReCandle Co. has taken the work out, so instead of buying the materials you need and spending time on making a new candle, you can get a new candle wax refill delivered on your schedule with our candle subscription box.
Our refills pop in and out of a handmade ceramic vessel with no scraping, no melting, and no tools required. Just swap and light.
If you're here about an existing empty candle jar, have no fear. We're big believers in repurposing when you can! We've put together some of the best tips on how to get started, what you need, and how to refill your empty candle vessel at home.
What You Need to Know Before Refilling Your Candle Containers
Refilling your empty candle jar is a sustainable way to continue enjoying candles, but before you start refilling, it's important to know some of the nuances of candle making. Understanding these basics will help ensure that you get the best results from your refilling project.
Your Materials Matter
Different waxes, wicks, and jars act differently. Starting with the wax, do your research and make sure you choose one that fits with your goals! For simplicity's sake, we'd recommend trying soy or coconut wax. Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax is a great beginner-friendly wax to start with.
Key considerations:
- Soy wax: Clean-burning, easy to work with, good scent throw
- Coconut wax: Slow burning, excellent scent throw, smooth finish
- Paraffin wax: Cheap but petroleum-based, not eco-friendly
- Beeswax: Natural but expensive, honey scent, harder to work with
Your Wick is Dependent on Your Jar Size
The wick you choose is hugely dependent on your jar size and the type of wax used. A wick that's too small will tunnel, while a wick that's too large will produce soot and burn too hot.
Candle Science has a great wick sizing guide, so make sure you know the diameter of your jar and the type of wax you're using. From there, you'll get a recommended wick to try. Common wick types include:
- Cotton wicks (CD, ECO, HTP series)
- Wood wicks (various sizes)
- Paper-cored wicks
The Amount of Fragrance Oil Required is Determined by the Amount of Wax Used
Lastly, it's much easier if you're planning on burning an unscented candle, but if you're planning on using fragrance oil, consult your wax guide on what percentage of fragrance oil you'll need.
Most soy waxes can handle 6-10% fragrance load, but adding too much can cause issues like poor burning or fragrance seepage.
Getting all of the variables right can be hard. Candlemakers take months, and even years, to figure out the right combination of wick type/size and amount of fragrance oil. The good news is, our goal isn't to be a professional candle maker! The goal is to be sustainable by refilling your candle. That means if you're not fully satisfied with how your first candle burns, that's okay. There's a lot to play around with, and it can be a fun puzzle to get it right!
How to Refill Your Own Candles at Home
Now that we've gone through some of the nuances to be aware of, you're ready to start!
Step 1: Remove the Wax from Your Existing Jar
There are a few easy ways to do this. For detailed instructions on all methods, see our guide on how to get candle wax out of a jar.
Pour hot water into the jar: This should pull the wax from the edges of your candle jar so it floats to the top. Once the water has cooled, pick out and throw away the wax, pour the water out, and dry. If you're having trouble, try a little soapy water to get any remaining pieces.
Place in the freezer: When wax gets cold, it contracts, pulling it away from the edge of the jar. Leave your empty jar in the freezer for a few hours, and with a butter knife, carefully scrape out the remaining wax.
Place the jar in a few inches of boiling water: This should melt any residual wax. Once it's liquid, carefully pour the wax into a trash can and wipe out any remaining wax with a paper towel.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials and Tools
As mentioned above, you should spend some time finding the right materials for the job. You'll need:
Required materials:
- Your empty candle jar
- Candle wax (soy, coconut, or beeswax)
- A wick (sized for your jar diameter)
- A wick sticker
- Fragrance oil (optional, for scented candles)
Required tools:
- Pouring pitcher (metal or heat-safe glass)
- Saucepan (for double boiler method)
- Food scale
- Thermometer
- Wick centering tool (or two chopsticks/pencils)
Step 3: Prep Your Materials and Tools
There are a few things you'll want to have prepared before you start. First, how much wax do you need?
Weigh Your Wax
If you're refilling a candle jar, there should be a label on the front that shows how many oz and/or grams the candle is. This is a weighted amount, and tells you how much wax you'll need! Using the food scale, measure out this amount of wax and put it in the pouring pitcher.
If there's no label, you can estimate by filling the jar with water, then measuring the water. You'll need slightly less wax than water by volume.
Calculate Your Fragrance Oil
If you're making a scented candle, the amount of fragrance oil you need is directly related to how much wax you're melting. You'll need to consult your wax type on the recommended amount of fragrance oil to use, and never go over the max fragrance.
To calculate how much fragrance oil you'll need, this is a percentage of the wax weight. So your calculation will look like this:
Wax weight × % recommended fragrance oil = Fragrance oil weight
So for example, if you're using 10oz of wax, and need 10% fragrance oil:
10oz × .10 = 1oz fragrance oil
Stick Your Wick in Your Jar
Taking your wick sticker, place one side on the bottom of your wick. From there, place your wick into the jar, centering as best you can. The wick sticker will ensure that the wick doesn't move around and that your candle will burn evenly. Finish prepping the jar by setting up your wick centering tool on top to make sure your wick is centered from bottom to top.
Step 4: Begin Melting!
At this point, all materials should be prepped appropriately. In a saucepan, heat up 1-2 inches of water until simmering, and place your pouring pitcher in the water to start melting the wax (this is called a double boiler). As you won't be melting a huge amount of wax, stay close to the pouring pitcher as you don't want to overheat the wax.
Your wax type will have instructions on what temperatures you'll need to heat your wax to. For example, if you're using soy wax, typically you'll need to heat it to 185°F, but we recommend following the wax instructions from here.
Monitor the temperature as the wax melts, and take the pouring pitcher out of the simmering water once that temperature has been reached. Pour in your fragrance oil, and stir for 1-2 minutes, making sure all fragrance oil has blended with the wax.
Step 5: Rest the Wax Until the Optimal Pouring Temperature
You will need to let your wax cool slowly until it's reached its optimal pouring temperature (soy wax often being around 135°F). This helps your candle cure properly, and avoid lumpy tops or sinkholes. Once your wax has reached this temperature, carefully pour it into your prepped candle jar, and let set. Voila! You've just refilled your own candle.
Step 6: Cure Your Candle
Different wax types recommend curing for different amounts of time. Why does curing matter? Because this gives your wax and fragrance oil enough time to meld together, improving the scent of your candle when you burn it. It's typically recommended to wait 1-2 weeks for soy wax to fully cure before burning.
During curing, store your candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Step 7: Watch How Your Candle Burns
Once you've refilled your candle, watch how it burns! This may be the most crucial step of all, as it can save you from an underperforming, or even hazardous, candle. For example, if your wax melts too quickly, your wick may be too large. This could cause your candle to overheat, either burning you if you touch it or even possibly cracking or bursting. Especially with a glass jar, make sure your candle never gets too hot to the touch, and if it does, blow it out and try again.
There are a lot of variables to play around with. If the wax is melting too quickly, size down your wick. If it's tunneling too much, size up. There is an abundance of candle-making resources online that can help you identify your problem and the right way to solve it, so the next time you can get it right!
Refilling My Own Candles Seems Like a Lot of Work. What Are My Alternatives?
Years ago, we went through this exact same process. Empty candle jars started stacking up, so we learned how to refill those jars with new candles, but this took a pretty big learning curve. Not only did we have to buy all the tools needed, but we ended up with more wax than was required. Though fun, this ended up being more costly and labor-intensive, which is why we created ReCandle Co.!
ReCandle Co. has taken all of the work out of refilling candles. Instead of purchasing all of the raw materials and tools, wondering if you have the right wick or wax type, we've created your refillable candle ready to go.
With our refillable candle Starter Kit, you'll start by receiving a reusable handmade ceramic candle jar and one candle refill. Then, after you've burned your candle down, you'll receive a new candle refill on your chosen schedule. It's as easy as that. Not only are you helping the planet, but you're saving time and supporting a small, eco-friendly business. It really doesn't get better than that.
For more information on choosing the right refillable option, check out our guide to the best refillable candles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Refilling Candles
Can you refill candles?
Yes, you can refill candles! There are two main ways: (1) DIY refilling by melting new wax and pouring it into your cleaned-out jar with a new wick, or (2) using ready-made candle refills designed to pop into reusable vessels. The DIY method requires tools, materials, and candle-making knowledge, while ready-made refills are much easier and faster.
How to refill a candle jar?
To refill a candle jar: (1) Remove all old wax using the freezer, hot water, or boiling water method, (2) Clean the jar thoroughly and remove the old wick, (3) Attach a new wick to the bottom center of the jar, (4) Melt your candle wax to the proper temperature, (5) Add fragrance oil if desired, (6) Let wax cool to pouring temperature, (7) Pour into prepared jar, (8) Let cure for 1-2 weeks before burning.
Can you refill candle jars with any type of wax?
You can use various wax types (soy, coconut, beeswax, paraffin), but the wick size must match both the wax type and jar diameter. Soy wax is the most beginner-friendly and eco-friendly option. Each wax type has different melting points, pouring temperatures, and fragrance capacities, so follow the specific instructions for your chosen wax.
How to transfer candle wax to a new jar?
To transfer candle wax to a new jar: (1) Remove the old wax using the freezer or hot water method, (2) If the wax is in good condition and unscented, you can remelt it in a double boiler, (3) Prepare the new jar with a centered wick, (4) Pour the melted wax into the new jar at the proper temperature. However, remelting old wax often doesn't work well because it's already been burned and may have lost fragrance. Using fresh wax typically gives better results.
How to make refillable candles at home?
To make refillable candles at home, you need a heat-safe reusable vessel (ceramic or thick glass), appropriate-sized wicks, candle wax, and optionally fragrance oils. Follow the DIY refilling process outlined above. However, the easiest way to have refillable candles is to invest in a purpose-built refillable candle system like ReCandle Co., where the vessel is specifically designed for repeated use and refills are pre-made with the correct wick already in place.
Can you reuse candle wax?
You can reuse unburned candle wax for making new candles, but it's not ideal. Once wax has been burned, it's already been exposed to heat and any fragrance has largely been released. Remelting old wax often results in weaker scent, discoloration, and inferior performance. If you want to reuse old wax, it's better for unscented candles or fire starters rather than scented candles.
What's the easiest way to refill candles?
The easiest way to refill candles is using ready-made candle refills designed specifically for reusable vessels, like ReCandle Co.'s pop-in soy wax refills. These require zero tools, no melting, no wick sizing, and no measuring. Just pop out the old refill and drop in the new one. This eliminates all the complexity of DIY candle making while still reducing waste.
Do I need special jars to refill candles?
For DIY refilling, you can use most heat-safe glass or ceramic jars, but they should be designed to withstand repeated heating and cooling. Thin glass, decorative jars, or containers not made for candles can crack or shatter. For the safest and best results, use jars specifically designed for candle use, like ReCandle Co.'s high-fired ceramic vessels that are heat-safe to 2,000°F. For more on recycling and reusing jars, see our guide on how to recycle candle jars.
