Reuse your scented candle jar: how to give it a new lease on life
When a scented candle has burned out, a beautiful glass jar remains. Instead of throwing it away, you can clean it in just a few minutes and give it a whole new life as a storage jar, flower pot, or decorative accent. That’s sustainability in practice.
One of the most thoughtful choices you can make when buying a scented candle is to choose one in a jar worth keeping. FOAM’s botanical scented candles come in simple, clean glass jars without unnecessary decoration, designed to work just as well after the candle is finished as while it’s burning. Learn more about what makes our botanical scented candles unique in the complete guide to botanical scented candles.
How to clean the jar properly
When the candle has burned out, a thin layer of wax often remains at the bottom. The easiest way to remove it is to put the jar in the freezer for 30 minutes. The cold wax shrinks and loosens, and can then easily be pried off with a spoon. Scrape away any remaining residue and wash the jar with hot water and dish soap. You can remove the wick residue with a cotton pad and a little oil before washing.
Five ways to reuse the jar
A clean glass jar is one of the most useful containers in the home. Here are five practical ways to give it a new purpose.
Use it as a storage jar on the bathroom shelf for cotton pads, hair rollers, or jewelry. As a flower pot for a small succulent or herb on the kitchen counter. As a pencil holder on your desk. As a candle holder for a small tea light or votive candle. Or as a decorative accent with a sprig, or as a flower vase with a small branch for decoration.
The Editor's Note: An empty scented candle jar isn’t waste. It’s an empty glass container with many possible lives ahead of it. Choosing a botanical scented candle means choosing a candle whose packaging is also designed to be reused.
Cleaning a scented candle jar: quick guide
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Freeze off the wax residue | Put the jar in the freezer for 30 min. The wax will shrink and loosen. |
| 2. Pry it off | Use a spoon to gently lift off the wax residue. |
| 3. Remove the wick residue | A cotton pad with a little oil will dissolve the adhesive residue from the wick holder. |
| 4. Wash | Hot water and dish soap. Ready to use again. |
Want to learn more about FOAM’s botanical scented candles and how they differ from regular scented candles? Read our guide to natural scented candles or explore the full range in the complete guide.