Ever burned through a candle and wondered—can you reuse candle jars? The answer is an astounding yes! And not only is it a great way to cut down on waste, it’s also a fun excuse to get creative.
Whether you're cleaning out a ceramic vessel or a glass jar, here's how to turn that empty container into something beautiful, useful, and totally zero-waste.
Step 1: Clean your candle jar
Before you can reuse a candle jar, you’ll want to give it a proper clean. Here’s a super simple method that works for most jars—no fancy jar cleaner needed.
The freezer trick:
- Let the jar cool completely.
- Pop it in the freezer for a few hours. The leftover jar wax will contract and pop out easily with a spoon or butter knife.
- Wipe any residue with a paper towel, then wash with warm soapy water.
Pro tip: If there’s a wick tab at the bottom, gently pry it off after freezing. Most will lift right out once the wax is gone.
You can also try the hot water method:
- Pour hot (not boiling) water into the jar.
- Let it sit for 30–60 minutes—the wax will float to the top.
- Scoop out the wax, pour off the water, and clean as usual.
If you're looking for a less messy solution, ReCandle Co. refillable candles were created for easy cleanout. After burning, the wax is already primed for removal, making popping out the wax a breeze.
Whichever method you use, the goal is a clean candle jar that’s ready for its next life.
Step 2: Pick your new purpose
Now comes the fun part—how to reuse a candle jar once it’s clean. If you’ve got a ReCandle Co. ceramic candle vessel, it’s not just able to be repurposed—it’s designed to be reused as a new candle!
But if you don't, are some of our favorite ways to give your jar a new job:
- Planter for succulents or herbs: Add pebbles at the bottom for drainage and pop in a low-maintenance plant.
- Bathroom storage: Think Q-tips, cotton rounds, or reusable makeup pads.
- Desk organizer: Pens, scissors, paper clips—keep it tidy and beautiful.
- Kitchen helper: Use your clean jar to hold wooden spoons, loose tea, or dried herbs.
- Mini vase: Perfect for small floral arrangements or single stems.
- DIY candle refill: If you're using a glass candle, this one gets a bit tricky because glass can shatter with continued heat exposure. But if you're reusing a ReCandle Co. jar, our soy wax refills make for the perfect new candle—no scraping, no mess. Just drop in a new refill when the old one burns down.
Step 3: Make it a habit
Learning how to reuse a candle jar is more than a crafty weekend project—it’s a step toward a more sustainable routine. At ReCandle Co., we designed our system around reusability, so every part of the candle experience feels intentional and low-waste.
No scraping. No single-use jars. Just clean-burning, phthalate-free scents in beautiful, handmade refillable vessels you’ll actually want to keep.
The takeaway
If you’ve ever asked yourself how to reuse candle jars, the real question might be—how do you want to use them next? With a little cleaning and a little creativity, that old candle jar can become a new favorite part of your daily routine.