25 CREATIVE WAYS TO REUSE CANDLE JARS YOU’LL ACTUALLY WANT TO TRY

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This blog post is all about creative ways to reuse candle jars and how to repurpose them into something else! 

If you enjoy burning candles regularly, you probably have a few empty candle jars that you’re keeping in your home.

You might feel bad about throwing them away because they’re just too pretty to be tossed in the trash.  

The good news is that you don’t have to get rid of them if you don’t want to!

There are plenty of ways to repurpose old candle jars, from practical home organizers to charming decorations.

They are incredibly versatile! 

In this article, I share with you 25 creative ways to reuse candle jars, so you can give them a second (or third) life while keeping them out of the landfill.

I give examples of specific things you can do with them for every idea.  

Can you reuse candle jars? Why repurpose them? 

Yes, not only can we reuse candle jars, but there are countless creative ways to repurpose them!

And as long as they’re in good condition, you can reuse them over and over again.

But why would we want to upcycle candles? 

Well, there are different reasons for that.

Most of us feel guilty throwing empty candle jars away because they’re just too beautiful. 

But for many of us, it’s not just about beauty.

It also feels wasteful to throw away something that can be useful.

By repurposing old candle jars, we keep them out of landfills and sometimes even save ourselves from buying something new.

It reduces our consumption, which is beneficial for both the planet and our wallet!

Plus, as you’ll see in this post, reusing empty candle jars can help keep your home organized and tidy.

They also make beautiful decorations and can even come in handy during the holidays. 

Read more: 17 awesome ways you can save money by living sustainably

How do you get wax out of a candle jar?

To be able to reuse candle jars, you first need to get the wax out of them. 

There are different ways you can do that, so choose the method you prefer. 

Method #1: Place the jar in warm water 

Fill a bowl with warm water and place the candle jar inside.

Make sure not to use boiling water, as it could crack the vessel.

Simply wait for the wax to melt and scoop it out. 

Method #2: Use your oven

After checking that your jar doesn’t have any flammable materials, heat your oven to 200°F.

Put some aluminum foil on a baking sheet, and place your candle jar upside down on the foil.

Then, put everything in the oven, and wait for about 15 minutes.

This will melt the remaining wax, but remember to let it cool down before removing it.

Method #3: Use your freezer

This is probably the easiest method of all, but it won’t work if the top of the jar is smaller than the base. 

For all other candle vessels, put them in your freezer overnight.

It will make getting the wax out super easy by either gently tapping the jar or using a utensil to remove it. 

Cleaning the empty jar

After you’ve removed the bulk of the wax, scrape out any remaining wax with a knife, and thoroughly clean your vessel with hot water and dish soap.

Scrub the inside with a sponge, and make sure there’s nothing left on the sides and bottom.

Lastly, rinse and let it dry. 

25 creative ways to reuse candle jars you’ll actually want to try

Repurpose candle jars ideas: practical everyday uses 

1. Bathroom storage

Old candle jars make great bathroom organizers!

They help keep your counters tidy and organized while adding a nice decorative touch to the space. 

You can use them to store all kinds of things, from cotton balls and Q-tips to bath salts and reusable makeup remover pads.

Ideally, prefer jars that come with lids for the things you want to keep dry and dust-free. 

2. Toothbrush holder

Repurpose an elegant candle jar into a beautiful toothbrush holder where you can put both toothbrushes and toothpaste!

There’s no need to buy a new toothbrush holder anymore. 

If you want the toothbrushes to stay separated, consider adding a few stones at the bottom. 

3. Vanity storage 

If you regularly wear makeup, chances are you have lots of different pieces that you need to keep organized on a daily basis. 

Reuse an old candle jar to store all the small and thin makeup items, such as lipsticks, makeup brushes, mascaras, and eyebrow pencils. 

It’ll be easier to keep track of them and see everything at a glance.

No more wasting time rummaging through a makeup bag for items lost at the bottom! 

4. Storage for hair accessories

Are you or your loved ones always losing hair ties and clips?

Tired of always needing to repurchase more?

Create a home for them in an empty candle jar!

That way, whenever you need a scrunchie or hair clip, you know where to look.

And remember to put them back when you don’t need them anymore. 

5. Pantry storage

You might be wondering, “Can you reuse candle jars for food?”.

Well, it depends! 

Please, be careful with this one!

Candle jars are generally not food-safe unless labeled by the manufacturer as suitable for food storage.

Since they’re usually made of decorative glass, they may have different paints, coatings, or treatments that aren’t safe for food contact.

Not to mention there may be leftover wax residue or fragrance on the inside, which you don’t want anywhere near your food. 

So I don’t recommend using candle jars to store unwrapped food.

However, candle jars can safely hold all kinds of packaged foods, like snacks, teabags (in their envelope), candies, or even pet treats. 

6. Jewelry holder  

Choose one of your favorite, most elegant candle jars and reuse it as a jewelry holder.

Use it to store your most worn pieces and keep it on hand on your nightstand, or even store your entire collection if you don’t have too many pieces. 

If you have a large jewelry collection, you could use a vessel for your earrings, one for your rings, and another for your bracelets.

Read more: 9 best sustainable & ethical jewelry brands that shine responsibly

7. Entryway organizer 

Empty candle jars are perfect for using as entryway organizers!

They can hold everything from keys and store loyalty cards to tissues and your go-to lip balm.

You can even store your sunglasses in larger jars.  

That way, every time you’re heading out the door, all your essentials are organized and all in one place. 

8. Desk organizer

This is one of my favorite ways to repurpose old candle jars!

They make chic desk organizers and can hold all kinds of things, including pens, markers, paperclips, push pins, rubber bands, washi tapes, and more. 

If you have kids, they’ll love having all their colored pencils in a cute little jar! 

9. Mini art supply holder 

If you love making crafts, whether alone or with your family, you’ll like this one. 

Consider storing your paint brushes and other small art supplies in an empty candle jar.

If you have lots of beads and other tiny pieces, jars with lids may come in handy, too. 

10. Phone charger organizer

If you have too many phone chargers or small cables that came with electronics lying around, store them in a cute jar.

I recommend doing this, especially with the phone charger you use every day.

That way, it won’t get damaged by sitting on the floor or somewhere it shouldn’t be. 

Not to mention, it looks way better than having cables scattered all around the space.

Plus, if you have pets, the jar protects your precious chargers from their curious teeth.

11. Spare change storage

Candle jars make great storage for keeping loose coins together.

Whether you decide to place them by the front door, on your desk, or neatly organized in a drawer, your spare change will have a proper home and won’t clutter your space anymore. 

Did I mention this small hack will prevent you from losing money?

You’ll be less likely to put spare coins in weird places, because you’ll always know exactly where to drop those coins. 

12. Mini sewing kit 

If your sewing supplies are scattered and unorganized, here’s a simple way to keep them neat and accessible.

Put them in a cute candle jar! 

If you don’t have many pieces, they could all fit in one vessel.

However, if your sewing kit is quite large, you could use a jar for all your needles and safety pins, one for your threads, and another for your scissors, thimble, and measuring tape. 

You could also store all those spare buttons you’ve collected over the years in another one. 

13. First aid kit

Another one of my favorite ideas to reuse candle jars is to turn one into compact storage for your first aid kit.

Fill it with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, cotton balls, tweezers, medical tape, and pain-relief meds.

Keep this jar easily accessible, either in your bathroom or in the kitchen.

You could even have one in your car glove compartment (if it has a lid). 

Ideas to reuse candle jars as decor (plants, nature & ambiance)

14. Mini planters 

One of the best ways to repurpose old candle jars is to use them as mini planters or plant pots.

Their size is perfect for cacti, succulents, or even herbs! 

If you have beautiful vessels, you may want to use them as they are, but you can also upcycle your jars into something more unique or fun. 

You’ll find countless candle jars crafts online, but I especially love this one from Six Clever Sisters, shown in the photo above. 

The tutorial walks you through how to DIY your candle jar into a beautiful planter, adding a rustic touch by wrapping it with rope.

The finished result looks fantastic!

15. Vase

Not only do candles make great planters, but they’re also lovely little vases you can fill with all sorts of small flowers.

I love them for both fresh and dried flowers, and often use them for propagating plants as well. 

16. Mini terrarium

If you love spending time in nature and are looking for ways to incorporate more natural elements into your home, this one is for you.

Turn transparent glass candle jars into charming mini terrariums!

Consider adding moss at the bottom, layering with small rocks, incorporating small twigs in the decor, and even placing miniature figurines or other decorations inside. 

Display this beautiful tiny ecosystem on a table, on your kitchen or bathroom counters, or on your windowsill. 

17. Mini Zen garden

Similarly, instead of creating a terrarium, you could repurpose a transparent glass candle jar into a calming mini zen garden. 

Simply fill the jar with sand, small stones, and tiny decorative pieces.

Don’t forget to add a mini rake so you can create patterns in the sand, which will help you relieve stress. 

This is ideal if you love peaceful, Japanese-inspired aesthetics!  

18. Scented potpourri jar

Another one of the best ways to reuse candle jars is to repurpose them into scented potpourri jars. 

Fill a beautiful vessel with all kinds of herbs, dried flowers, leaves, and/or spices, and it will naturally add a nice scent to your space.

This is especially great to have in the bathroom!

To boost the scent, you may also want to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. 

19. DIY incense holder

If you like home fragrances, you probably love burning incense.

And you know what?

An empty candle jar can get a second life as a DIY incense holder.  

Fill the jar with small rocks, rice, or sand so that the incense sticks can stand upright.

The jar will catch ashes while you’ll be able to enjoy a nice scent. 

20. New homemade candles

This one is so obvious, but I had to include it!

There’s no simpler way to reuse candle jars than by making new homemade candles with them. 

You just need to melt some wax, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, place a wick in the center of your empty vessel, and pour the melted wax into it.

Don’t forget to trim the wick at the end. 

There are tons of tutorials online about how to do that if you want to give this activity a try! 

21. Tiny memory jar 

If you’re a sentimental person or like to collect souvenirs from cherished experiences, you might find this idea interesting. 

Repurpose an old candle jar into a tiny memory jar.

You can fill it with all sorts of keepsakes, such as small notes, ticket stubs, shells from your last trip to the beach, photo strips, small quotes that inspire you, dried flowers from your wedding, or other meaningful trinkets.  

22. Decorative lanterns 

Turn old candle jars into lovely lanterns by filling them with small tea lights, whether real ones or battery-operated versions.

For the bigger jars, you could swap the tea lights for fairy lights as well. 

No matter which option you choose, these decorative lanterns will help create a warm, cozy atmosphere in your home.

I love the idea of having several of them on the balcony or in the garden, too. 

23. Decorations on their own 

Most candle jars feature a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing design.

So why not just display them around your home on their own, as decor?

If you want to make them more unique, you can also DIY them by either painting them, wrapping them in a beautiful piece of fabric, adding ribbon, or gluing leaves and dried flowers on them.  

There are a ton of great candle jar decorating ideas on Pinterest, if you need more inspiration!

Ways to upcycle candle jars for the holidays

24. Gift jars

Give your old candle jars a second life by filling them with little gifts and giving them to people you love. 

Jars can be filled with everything from chocolate (with wrappers) to bath bombs to homemade body lotion.

For kids, add little toys, Legos, crayons, or playdough.  

25. Christmas decor 

If you like being creative, you could turn your empty candle jars into gorgeous Christmas decorations! 

Decorate them with glitter, twine, ribbon, or paint, and fill them with little ornaments, holiday figurines, or fake snow.

You could even DIY a tiny snow globe if you have a transparent jar. 

You can then display them on your dining table, on the mantel or the windowsill, on shelves, or on your kitchen counters. 

Of course, you can also do this for other holidays like Halloween or Easter! 

Final thoughts on creative ways to reuse candle jars

I hope you’ve found this article about creative ways to reuse candle jars helpful and that it inspired you to repurpose the ones you have at home. 

Reusing empty candle jars helps reduce waste and keeps you from buying items for your home.

It’s good for both the environment and your wallet, so it’s a win-win situation.  

If you love candles and are looking for safer options, you’ll love these posts:

• 7 best non-toxic candles to create a cozy atmosphere in your home
• 12 best non-toxic candles on Amazon to make our homes cozy
• 7 best natural, non-toxic Christmas candles for a safe & cozy holiday
• 8 best phthalate-free, non-toxic fall candles for safe autumn scents

And if you’d like to learn more about ways to be more sustainable, you might want to read:

• The 8 R’s of sustainability & how to apply them in your life
• 10 ways to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle today
• 5 easy ways to reduce waste and go green

Which uses for old candle jars have you preferred?

Let me know in the comments!

Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends so they can repurpose candle jars in their homes, too.

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