I’m not sure about all of you, but I am a big candle burner, and during midterms… it gets a little ridiculous. I find having candles burning while I’m studying calms me down and keeps me focused. But what do you do with all the empty candle containers? Let me show you a few ways to repurpose those jars around your house!
First off, let’s get that leftover wax out of there. I’ve tried so many different ways to get that wax out of the bottom of the jar and the two I’m going to share today are by far the easiest.
The first method requires boiling water. Directly poor the water onto the wax and let it sit for short amount of time (or long, if you have the patience). After a few seconds, wedge a butter knife along the outside rim between the wax and the glass. The wax should lift easily! With this method, the wick should lift with the wax as well. To remove the stickers, run hot water and it should peel off quite easily. To get rid of the residue, use nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, or acetone.
For the second method, shove the candle in the freezer for the night. This will cause the wax to shrink! Once the wax is entirely frozen, either wedge a butter knife between the edge of the wax and the glass of the holder, and the puck of wax should lift; or, wedge the knife into the middle of the candle to break the wax. From there, all of the wax should crumble and fall right out. To remove the wicks, pour some hot water over them and they’ll slide right off. For the removal of stickers, follow the same steps as we did for the first method.
There are so many ways to repurpose candle holders (specifically the Bath and Body Works ones), however, these are my favorite and what I use them for.
Food
I know this seems silly, but, if you’re a candle hoarder and have all the containers, why not make use for them? Rather than buying plastic containers to store your baking ingredients like flower and sugar, use the glass storage to keep them fresh. Same goes with storing candy!
Also, the Yankee candle jars make for excellent cookie jars! If you’re attending any holiday parties and decide to bring some cookies, just add a festive ribbon and you’re set!
Store Your Makeup
The number one thing that gurus and beauty addicts repurpose their candle jars for is to store their makeup brushes! All you have to do is add some bath salts or flower beads to about half the jar so that the brushes won’t move around, but stand up straight.
If you want get crafty with this, apply modge podge to the inside of the container and add glitter, then use tissue paper to create a cute pattern paint the outside or paint your initials (or whatever you desire) to add your own personal touch. Now not only does the old candle jar have a purpose, but it’s also decorative! To create a handle, glue a knob onto the top of the lid!
Continuing on with makeup storage purposes, you can easily make a container pyramid to store lip gloss, lip liners, eyeliners, or whatever you desire with a decorative presentation!
As we are all aware, cotton pads and q-tips do not come it attractive packaging. Use your candle jar, hot glue a decorate knob as a handle, and bam – now cute and effective!
Stationary
Now, if you’re a hoarder of office supplies like me, you’ll love this; and if you have a shelf over your desk, you’re being practical and decorative. Store things like post its, paper clips, bull clamps, USBs, or whatever stationary you could possibly have. If you’re not that into decorating, add a little sticker label!
Finally, if you do decide to use these repurposing ideas as décor, you can glue a candle stick holder to the bottom of the glass container to add some dimension.
There you have it! If you try any of these DIY repurposing candle holders, let us know. Tweet us photos @HerCampusWLUCA , tag us in photos on Instagram @hercampuslaurier, or send it to our Pinterest!