Candle care

Give Your Empty Candle Jar a Second Life

How to get the leftover wax out, and a few ways to reuse the jar for pens, makeup brushes, succulents and more.

The Strike + Burn team
October 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Strike And Burn Feminist Candle Collection In 4Oz &Amp; 8Oz Clear Glass Jars On Pink Background

Your candle is done. It gave you hours of good smells and one great joke on the label. The jar is too good to throw away, so give it a second life.

We care about keeping the planet healthy, and reusing the jar is the easiest way to help. Here is how to clean it out and what to do with it next.

First, finish the candle the right way

Stop burning when about 1/2 inch of wax is left in the jar. Burning it all the way down can overheat the glass. That last bit of wax is what you will clean out.

How to get the leftover wax out

Two easy ways, no special tools:

The freezer method

Put the jar in the freezer for a few hours.
The cold makes the wax shrink and pull away from the glass.
Pop it out with a butter knife or spoon.

The hot water method

Set the jar in the sink and carefully pour in hot (not boiling) water.
The wax melts and floats to the top.
Let it cool, then lift off the hardened wax disk.

Then wash the jar with warm, soapy water. Pull out the old wick tab and wipe away any wax left behind. Do not pour wax down the drain. Toss it in the trash.

What to do with the jar

Pens, makeup brushes, succulents, loose change: the jar can handle it. A few more ideas:

Bathroom: cotton swabs, cotton rounds, hair ties or bobby pins.
Desk: pens, highlighters, scissors and the paper clips you never use.
Kitchen: tea bags, sugar packets or spices.
Plants: a small succulent or air plant. The jar has no drain hole, so add pebbles at the bottom and water lightly.
Entryway: keys, coins and lip balm.
Next to your new candle: a jar of matches. Strike, then burn.