We're sure that everyone who loves candles as much as we do is always wondering how they can reuse ceramic, glass or other candle moulds. After all, they are usually incredibly beautiful, and they are also associated with memories, sweet moments or even small traditions. So, we decided to help you out and created a small guide with useful tips and interesting ideas for the "second life" of candle moulds.
So the day has come - your favourite candle has burned to the end. All that's left is a certain amount of wax at the bottom, a small wick with a holder, and the mould or container itself. First of all, the candle jar needs to be completely cleaned. And there are several ways to do this easily.
How to clean the mould from wax or paraffin
Low temperature method
First, place the container with the remaining wax in the freezer for several hours. Once it has hardened, use a spoon or similar object to carefully remove the wax residue. Next, moisten a paper towel with warm water and wipe the inside of the mould well. This is a good method for candles that were made with paraffin or beeswax.
High temperature method
You can also get rid of wax or paraffin residue using the high temperature method. To do this, fill a bowl with boiling water and place the candle jar in it for a few minutes. The heat from the boiling water will melt the wax that remains on the inside of the mould. Once the wax has softened, carefully remove the container from the water and wipe it with a paper towel.
Conventional washing method
This is the easiest method and works well for candles made from waxes with a low melting point, such as soy wax. First, remove as much of the wax residue as possible using a spoon or something similar, but in a way that doesn't damage the mould. Then simply fill it with hot soapy water, let it sit for a minute, and then scrub the inside of the mould with the wax. Then wipe the mould with a paper towel.
There are also some cautions to keep in mind when cleaning moulds.
- If you are not sure about the strength of the container, we recommend using the normal washing method - it is slower, but you have less chance of damaging your favourite container.
- Never wash wax melted in water down the drain. It will cool and harden and may cause blockages.
- Take care not to overheat glass containers. There is a risk that the glass may crack if the jar gets too hot. In fact, both freezing and using boiling water can cause damage to the mould, so use these methods only if you are sure that the container can withstand such manipulations :).
- Never use the microwave to melt wax in old candle moulds. The wick holder is made of metal, so it can not only damage the microwave, but also cause a fire.
Now that the candle moulds are clean, they are ready for their "second life". Below are some of our favourite ideas.
Pots for plants
Ceramic or glass candle containers are ideal for becoming a new pot for a green plant. Succulents or cacti are especially suitable 🙂.
Stands for pens and pencils
If you are very used to having a candle on your desk or it complements your interior perfectly, then when it burns out, you can use it to store pencils, pens or other work-related items. We have Elegance and Egoist candles in such shapes.
Organisers for jewellery or cosmetics
As our personal experience and practice shows, candle jars can be a great place to store jewellery, or hair accessories, or various cosmetic items. Blowed glass candle bowls from the collection "Marevo" are ideal for this.
Vase for flowers
Flowers and candles are somewhat similar - they both delight us with their scent. So a beautiful candle container can become a vase for a small bouquet of flowers.
And if you wash the candle containers very thoroughly, they can also be used in the kitchen to store, say, sugar or salt, biscuits or nuts. Ceramic pots made of black smoked stoneware from the collection "Spices and herbs" are perfect for such purposes.
And if you want to extend the life of the candle, we offer a re-filling service - when your candle burns out, you can bring or send it to us and we will fill it with the scent again.
So as you can see, there are quite a few options for using candle moulds - keep the beauty alive and continue the tradition.
When the candle is bigger than the light....