
Have you ever bought a candle thinking "This comes in a really cute jar! I'm totally going to re-use this later to store all kinds of things and be super organized!"?
So now, out of all those times that you've thought that to yourself, how many of those times did you actually remove the wax and how many times did you just put the burned out candle in a cabinet "to do later"?
I've typically gone about half-way with it and stuck the jars in the freezer for the wax to harden so I could try to crack it out with a knife. They usually stay in the freezer for about 7.5 months on average.
The freezer is fine for plain jars where the frozen wax can just slide right out, but if you have anything funky going on with your jar, you're going to have to go all archaeologist on it.
Here's what I do now instead:
Get a jar from a burned out candle. Does anyone else find it hilarious that this candle is called "Kitchen Clean" and you can see piles of dishes waiting to be put away in the back ground?
It doesn't really even have to a big bowl bowl. Just a small amount of cold water will do.
We're going to melt that wax out!
Stir it around a little with a butter knife or something to ensure all the wax gets melted.
Pour all that melted wax mixed with hot water out and into the bowl of cold water.
It separates really easily so if you don't have a strainer to use for this, don't worry, a spoon will work just fine.
Just a few seconds of work and your jar is perfectly clean! Bonus: Your kitchen will smell amazing instantly if it was a scented candle.
Peel the label off and clean your jar as usual. You're done!
Now wasn't that easy? You're ready to organize, craft or display with your new jar!
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24 comments:
This is good! I have a bunch of jars with just a little bit left in them I'd love to use for cotton balls and q tips! good thing I haven't taken the trash out yet!
I'm going to pin this do I don't forget. Thanks for the tip!
Brilliant! SO just pinned this so I can remember to do it when my Christmas candles burn down :)
Great idea! I usually sit and scrape and scrape and scrape. Now I can get those jars cleaned that are stashed in my cupboard!
Thanks so much for this tip. I have tons of votive candle holders with melted candles in them that this would probably work great on. I saw your post over at Met Monday blog party.
What a great idea! I'm so glad I saw this because I have all these candles that are just about ready to toss and now I can save the glass! Yay!! :)
Oh - hey, thanks for the tip!!
Well are you just a smartypants? Just think what I can do with all those jars I'll now have at my disposal!
Great tip! Empty jars are always handy for storing things especially with the kiddos!
This is a genius idea...way to go girl!
Very cool indeed!
You are a genius! I usually scrape it out, then throw it away when I get too aggravated to finish!
This method would work, but I think my method is easier and much less messy. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a thick layer of newspaper. Turn the candle jars upside down on the paper. Put into a cold oven and heat to about 300 degrees. Watch carefully. The wax will melt out quickly. The jars can be cleaned with soap and water and the paper can be discarded ... wax and all. No mess...the kitchen will still smell great too.
Happy New Year!
Excellent tutorial and very useful. TFS. I am now a follower of your blog and look forward to return visits. I invite you to join me as well on my blog at http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com
Hugs, Gayle.
Definitely giving this a try. I always do the freezing and then digging process. I like your idea much better.
Clever! I'm going to have to try that out. :) I'm always sticking candle jars in my freezer. . . . .Except mine NEVER come out. Again. Ever. Hee!
Wonderful!
I have 3 jars I'm doing this with tomorrow...first thing!
thanks for sharing it. Pat
Now why didn't I think of that :) I'm going to look closer at my candles!
Debbie
Absolutely practical and genius tip! I was just debating how to clean out a candle last night! Thanks so much.
I totally needed this tip today, Thanks!
Great tip Thanks!! many jars that I would have saved knowing this....
Oh this is very helpful! I can finally use all those candle jars i've kept. Thanks!
Oh great! I have a bunch of candle jars that need cleaning. With the tips here, they can finally be of great use for other things. Thanks!
- ConniesCandles.com
This is just so "stupid easy." I don't know why I didn't think of it. Haha!
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