Sometimes candle jars are too pretty to throw away. So when you’ve sadly burnt through your favourite fragrance, what are you supposed to do then? Here at PartyLite, we pride ourselves on the fact that our candle jars are 100% recyclable, and that doesn’t just mean that they’re safe to put in your glass recycling bin. Our candle jars have the potential to be a small storage container, a drinking glass, a spare change jar, a plant pot or even a candle jar for your own DIY candles. The possibilities are endless! Whether you want to give it a new use, or simply recycle it, we’re going to tell you how to clean empty candle jars.
Before we share our favourite candle cleaning methods with you, we want to answer the most popular candle jar related question that we get - why does my candle jar turn black? When you burn your candle, the wax melts away, the wick lengthens and a chemical process causes black carbon particles (also known as soot) to be produced. Each time you go to burn your candle, the wick should be trimmed to three millimetres in length, which will reduce the amount of black soot forming inside your candle jar. Less wick, less fuel = less black stuff.
So if you’re wondering about how to recycle candle jars, the first step is to clean them.
PartyLite candles are made from a blend of high-quality paraffin and soy wax, both of which have relatively low melting points and therefore a wider choice of ways to clean them. Our favourite methods are to either freeze them or wash them.
If you opt for the freezing method, make sure that your candle has completely cooled and solidified after burning out. Then place it into the freezer for at least an hour. When the wax drops to a certain temperature, it shrinks and pulls away from the edges of the glass jar. The wax will become brittle and easy to remove. Take the jar out of the fridge and remove the leftover wax and metal wick clip by turning the jar upside down and gently tapping on a flat surface. The wax should pop right out but if it’s struggling, you can always take a knife - please always take caution when using a knife - to carefully pry the wax out. Wipe off any residual wax with a damp cloth.
To wash your candle jar, you will also need to start with a cooled and solidified candle. Use a knife to scrape off as much wax as you can. Put the jar into a bowl or a sinkful of warm, soapy water and let the jar sit for a few minutes to soften the wax. We recommend taking the time to light another of your favourite fragrances to mourn the loss of your previous candle! After the wax has softened, you can go ahead and scrub the jar clean using the warm water that it’s been soaking in. This method will also remove any black soot marks you might have around your glass jar.
Use these tips to ensure you make the most out of your candle jars. We personally love to use our old candle jars as candle holders for Tealight, Votive and Pillar candles. We’d love to see what you turn your old candle jars into, so show us on social media!