After all the wax has melted, you may be wondering what you can do with the leftover candle jar (especially a beautiful hand painted jar like the one above). Once you've cleaned out the old wax there are many different ways you can re-use or re-purpose the jar, as I have listed below:
Remove the Leftover Wax from the Candle Jar
Before you do anything else, you'll need to remove any leftover wax in the container. There are 3 ways to do this:
For candles made of wax with a low melting point (like soy wax which is what all my candles are made of) the wash & go method is the easiest. Remove as much of the leftover wax as possible with a knife, then just fill the container with soap and water and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing the inside clean.
Fill a bowl with boiling water and gently sit the candle jar in it for a few minutes. The heat will soften the wax and you can then pour the wax out and was the jar using warm water and soap.
Place the candle in the freezer for a couple of hours and then use a butter knife to pop the frozen wax out of the container.
SAFETY NOTE: Never use a microwave to melt the leftover wax. The wick holder that holds the wick in place is made of metal and we all know you shouldn't put metal in the microwave as it could ruin your microwave or even start a fire.
If the wick holder is stuck after you have removed all the wax, slip a sharp knife underneath it to pop it out.
Ways to re-purpose and re-use a candle container
Use it as a small planter. Just remember that there will be no drainage so you'll either want to add a layer of small rocks at the bottom of the container, or plant a low moisture plant like a succulent.
Use it as a bud vase. Weather you fill it with real or faux blooms, a candle container bud vase will make a beautiful addition to your décor.
Leave it by the front door, or wherever your spare change typically ends up (maybe the laundry room? haha), and use it to collect spare change.
Use it as a stylish container for holding candy.
Use it as a classy and elegant toothbrush and toothpaste holder.
Use it as a place to keep hair accessories like hair elastics, barrettes, and bobby pins.
Use it for storing cotton pads, cotton balls or cotton swabs.
Use it to store your makeup brushes and keep them within reach on the vanity.
Use it as a pretty pen and pencil holder.
Use it to store coffee grounds or loose tea leaves (if it has a lid like mine do)
There you have it! 10 different ways to give your empty candle jars new life! Let me know in the comments below which idea appeals to you the most.