How to Clean and Reuse Your Glass Candle Jars: A Simple Hack

Reusing glass candle jars is a wonderful way to reduce waste and give these beautiful vessels a second life. With just a few simple steps, you can clean them thoroughly and prep them for reuse. Here's a foolproof guide to help you:

Step 1: Remove the Wax Residue

Once your candle has burned down, it's time to tackle the leftover wax:

Freeze the Glass: Place the room temperature jar upright in your freezer for at least 15 minutes. This helps the wax shrink and loosen from the glass.
Tap or Ease Out the Wax: Remove the jar from the freezer and carefully ease out shrunken wax. The wax will probably crack and come out in chunks.
The Wick Sticker: The small sticker holding the wick at the bottom of the jar may stay behind. Deal with this when cleaning the glass later, as below.

Step 2: Remove the Label (Optional)

If you'd like to remove the label for a cleaner look:

Peel Off the Label: Start at a corner and gradually ease the label off. Remove as much as possible by hand.
Make an Oil & Baking Soda Paste: Combine equal parts of an oil, like olive oil, and baking soda to create a thick paste.
Apply to Glass: Spread the paste generously over the label area and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
Rinse and Wipe: After soaking in the paste, rinse the glass in warm, soapy water and gently rub off any remaining adhesive and if the wick sticker is remaining, gently ease it off.

Step 3: Clean the Glass

Soak the room temperature glass jar in hot, soapy water for a few minutes. This will soften any adhesive left behind and you can easily remove the wick sticker by gently easing off.
Use a cloth to wipe away any residue. Avoid using anything abrasive, as it could scratch the glass.

Tips for Success

Always use non-abrasive tools or sponges to avoid scratching the glass.
Be patient—letting the freezer do its work will make the process much easier!
Once your glass jar is clean, it’s ready to be re purposed into a storage container, plant pot holder or many other uses.

With this simple hack, cleaning reusable glass jars is easy, eco-friendly, and satisfying!