How To Clean & Repurpose Your Candle Vessel
There are so many ways to give your candle vessels a second life after they have reached the end of burn. We recommend to stop burning your candle once there's 1/4" of wax left to avoid over heating the jar. Here's a guide on how you can clean out your vessel.
1. The Freezing Method
Simply pop your candle in your freezer for a few hours to allow the wax to shrink and separate from the edge of the jar. This method works best for candles that have about half an inch of wax left. You should be able to remove the wax with a spoon by scrapping the wax and the wick. If you're unable to remove the wax, try to freeze it a bit longer and try again, or choose the other methods below.
2. The Boiling Water Method
Boil water in a kettle or pot then pour into your jar until right before it overflows. This allows the wax to melt and rise to the top. Let it sit for about 30 minutes or until all the wax has surfaced to the top. Simply remove the hardened wax with your fingers or a spoon and dump out the water. Then wash it with warm water and dish soap to remove excess wax and residue.
3. The Heat Gun Method
This is actually our go to method since this is the easiest and fastest way to clean out a candle jar. If you're a DIY-er like us, you would most likely own a heat gun. Simply use the heat gun to melt the wax, but be careful not to apply heat directly in the same spot, as it may break. It should be used in a circular motion in order to slowly heat up the inside of the jar to melt the wax. At this point, you should also be able to remove the wick from the war. Use a paper towel to wipe the jar and wash it with warm water and dish soap.
Repurpose
The possibilities are endless. You can use it as a drinking vessel, cotton pad/Q-Tips holder, planter, makeup brush holder, tea light holder, etc. Our personal favorite way is to repurpose it into a drinking vessel. The double-walled borosilicate glass gives off an elegant look when you pour any type of beverage in it; hot or cold.