Repurposing Glass Jars Into Homemade Candles

Several years ago while walking through a Supercenter there was a lady on the overhead monitor offering helpful tips to reuse items you have at home.  One of the tips the offered was how to get that stubborn bit of wax out of the bottom of votive holders to be able to reuse them.  It was a great tip but what about the wax you are throwing away?  Or have you ever had a candle where the wick didn’t burn properly and in turn ended the life of your candle when you still had 3/4 of a candle left?  This is an awesome way to reuse the wax from any of the above into new, fresh candles that are ready to be reused!

I had a few candles I have had for years that didn’t burn properly but I just couldn’t toss them lying around.  I also picked up two candles in glass jars from a local thrift store where the wick had fallen in the wax and could no longer burn for a whopping….get this, $.15!  Yes, I said fifteen cents!

This project was all about repurposing so I wanted to make sure I was also repurposing glass jars as well. I went on the hunt for the materials I needed and found a few vintage glass jars I wanted to use, also from the thrift store for $.05 to $.10 each.  I did purchase wicks from Micheal’s with a 40% off coupon for $3.60.  While I did purchase an old tin pan for $.10, from you guessed it the thrift store because I didn’t want to ruin any of my pans, although that isn’t really necessary.  With everything that I needed now at my fingertips I set out to make my new candles.

DIY Homemade Candles

To begin, make sure your glass jars are cleaned out and dry.  Using a hot glue gun, place a small dab of glue on the bottom of the metal plate on the bottom of your wick and then firmly press in onto the bottom center of your jar.

Place about two inches of water into a pan and then either place a glass dish or an inexpensive pan into the water.  Turn your heat to medium-low.  Place your candle into the glass dish or pan, this may not be necessary if the candle is in a glass jar as it can be placed directly into the water.  Now allow the water to heat the candle wax until it is melted.

Now you will want to remove the old wicks that are remaining, but be very careful as the wax will be hot.  I used a wooden popsicle stick but anything would do.  Place something under the glass jars you will be using in the event you are like me and always drip!  Very carefully pour the melted wax into your glass jars.

As the candles cool down the center will sink in to create a well.  You can either keep your wax warm on the stove or reheat a small amount to add to fill in the well.  Add enough to cover just where the wax is sitting currently.  Allow the candles to fully cool before moving to prevent spilling hot wax.

Helpful Tips:

• If you are using more than one color wax, be sure to allow your wax to dry completely before adding another layer.
• If you are using unscented wax, you can add in a few drops of essential oils to create a pleasant aroma.
• Please remember that the wax will be hot.  As when is true of handling anything hot, be cautious when handling to prevent from being burned.