I don’t have to tell you that do-it-yourself projects are as popular these days as coveted walks in the park and obnoxiously long drive thru lines. But it does seem I should broadcast this next sentence. There are more homemade projects out there than painted denim, baked banana bread, and acid dyed sweatsuits. It is time to commit to a project inspired by the 2020 runway theme, upcycling.
In an effort to declutter my life and have less “stuff” clogging my precious home, I looked around the ol’ apartment and thought, “What needs a makeover?” Candles. My ornate perfumed wax friends. Between all the extra time at home and the spike in my stress meter, I have been burning through (I know what I said.) my candle collection like a mad woman. Below are 30 ways to reuse your pretty candle jar after the wick has completely used all its might.
Trust This Process: First let’s get into how to clean out that last bit of wax stubbornly settled at the bottom of the jar. Don’t Pinterest for the answer like I did - just follow these simple steps for quick and easy extraction. Turn on your sink to the hottest temperature it can go (do not boil). Fill your candle jar with hot water and seal with the lid on. If the candle does not have a lid, try to add a makeshift covering to trap the heat. Let it sit, watch a movie and then come back to it.
Remove the lid, pour out water and pat dry. I was expecting the wax to look melty. It didn't; it will just be soft enough to fall out with a little nudge. Get in there with an ordinary metal knife and scrape the wax out in clumps starting with the edge. Pulling out big pieces of wax is actually super satisfying. (New hobby alert!) Wash the jar and lid with a sponge and dish soap so no wax streaks remain. Both of the jars I cleaned out a few days ago still smell like the candle that once inhabited it. This is a dream come true!
The outside of the jar can then be adorned with ribbon, paints, permanent marker etc. I liked that one of my empty jars was seethrough so I did not decorate. Now for the filler. Translucent jars are great for small unique items that you want to display like lip colors or bracelets. Colored lidded jars are a fun way to stash not-so-fun household or office items like sponges and paper clips.
Your Candle Jar’s New Home: Categorized for your pleasure.
Accessories
1. Bracelets will fit perfectly! Yes - this was my very first thought.
2. Hair ties, Scrunchies, and cloth headbands can live inside.Thicker Plastic Headbands: wrap around the outside of a thick tall candle jar.
3. Belts. Roll in a circle if you’re lucky enough to have one of those retail-sized candles or an itty bitty waist.
4. Wallets and change purses. I mean they’re empty anyways, might as well store all but the one you keep active.
Kitchen
5. Drinking Glass. This works best with a candle shaped like a cup (Duh!) or mason jar.
6. Tea hub. Play restaurant: Can I interest you in any coffee or tea this evening?
7. Fruit bowl. This will make your citrus happy.
8. Seasonings. How much more fun is salt and peppering your fish when the spices dwell in a metallic dish right next to the stove? Best if you have two or more candle jars of comparable sizes.
9. Tide Pods. They’re food right?
Bathroom
10. Lip Lounge. Use a clear candle jar to easily access lip colors and chapsticks.
11. Free Samples. Got a jillion sample size creams, cleansers and masks that pile up in your drawer? Same. Jar ‘em.
12. Candy Dish. I started keeping candy canes and chocolates in my bathroom last year like I was a hotel. The guests love it!
13. Keep it Smelly. Want to keep that jar fragrant? Use it to stash your essential oils collection. I will definitely be doing this one!
14. Cotton. A mirror-y jar is ideal for cotton balls, q-tips, floss picks, and the like.
Office
15. Pen Cup. Plus pencils, highlighters, markers, feathers dipped in ink...whatever you use to send out your John Hancock.
16. The Little Guys. I’m not going to cheat and list out every little office specimen on its own but, paperclips, staples, tacks, and erasers are deserving of a trendy cup.
17. Coins. Remember when you needed these to pay for parking? Now they just make your jeans sag like it's 2003 and you’re 50 Cent.
Technology
18. Cords and cables. Wrap em, tie em, and hide the ugly things. This goes for earbuds too.
19. The Remote. Ever lose the remote and then have to deal with your mom’s long winded story about how when she was your age she had to walk up to the TV to turn it on? Avoid this whole dance and give the remote a designated parking spot.
20. Speaker. Class up the Red Solo Cup trick.
21. Polaroids. Something about the image of Polaroids scattered across the floor. Throw the lid on your candle jar, shake it up, and dump em out!
Crafting
22. Sewing supplies. Especially great to see all your threads options when cranking out masks.
23. Stamps and stationary. Mail your pals.
24. Beads, cord, and claps.
25. Presents, bows and ribbons. Take advantage of all the Black Friday-esque sales happening right now. Maybe even get into wrapping. You’ve. Got. Time.
Living Room/Bedroom
26. Lights. Glow Sticks or twinkle lights make a cosmic decoration.
27. A Mom Jar. Maybe you’re grown up enough to house some potpourri or make a seasonal jar with some of those wicker balls and fake fruits.
28. Keepsakes. Hi, Miss Nostalgia here. I’m all about journaling and saving memories. Make notes on the quarantine life for future gens. Or pull out conversation topics or activities outta the “hat” to kick off Saturday night.
29. Plant it. Pop a cute little plant or succulent in there or use a skinny candle jar as a flower vase.
30. Fake Candle. Return to the jar’s roots and pop in a battery operated tea light. The jar will flicker and smell like the old version. It’s the best we can do - for now.
Bonus: Keep your mask smelling sweet and feelin’ sanitary in its private case.
Feel guilty throwing away that extra wax at the bottom of the jar? “Repot” the wax into a smaller cup or jar and crown yourself a candle king. I can't wait to see the great stuff you guys come up with!
Thanks for such useful, fun, mind saving ideas to use during these rainy days. I will get busy turning what could be trash, into treasures! Great ideas!
So cute. Love the ideas