11 Creative Ways to Reuse Your Candle Vessels

Written By Treasure Byers

You’ve reached the bottom of your favorite Thread & Crumb candle (sad, we know 😢), but before you toss that empty jar in the recycling bin… pause! That little glass (or metal) beauty still has so much life left in it.

At Thread & Crumb, we’re all about giving things a second chance — whether that’s turning tallow into silky balm or repurposing everyday goods into something magical. So here are some adorable, practical, and totally doable ways to reuse your candle jars once the flame’s gone out.

✨First Up: Let’s Clean Your Jar

Before the DIY magic begins, here’s how to clean out your candle jar:

  • Pop it in the freezer for a few hours. This makes the leftover wax shrink and pop out easily.

  • Use a butter knife or spoon to lift the wax and wick tab.

  • Wash with warm soapy water to remove residue.

  • Dry thoroughly — and voilà! Ready to reuse.

💡 Pro Tip:

Not a fan of labels on your jars? Our labels are designed to come off easily with warm soapy water or a bit of oil-based goo remover — no elbow grease required.

🌿 8 Ways to Reuse Your Candle Jars

1. Tiny Plant Pots

Succulents love shallow jars. Add a layer of pebbles for drainage, then soil, then your plant baby. Bonus points if you decorate the jar with twine or paint!

2. Bathroom Storage

Perfect for cotton rounds, Q-tips, hair ties, or even homemade bath salts. They instantly elevate your bathroom shelf.

3. Desk Organization

Need a pretty home for pens, push pins, or washi tape? Your old candle jar’s got you. I’ve repurposed one of mine to keep address labels handy for mailing birthday cards to friends and family.

4. Kitchen Herb Garden

Grow a mini herb like basil or mint right on your windowsill. Just make sure it gets some sunshine, water, and a little love.

5. DIY Gift Container

Fill it with homemade goodies like lip balm, trail mix, or bath soak, pop on a cute label and lid, and it becomes a charming, low-waste gift.

6. Snack Cup (Yes, Really)

Washed thoroughly, your jar is the perfect size for nuts, granola, or trail mix on the go — just screw on a reusable lid.

7. Tealight Lantern

Drop in a tealight or LED light, and you’ve got an instant cozy glow for your shelf, porch, or bathroom vibes.

8. Crayon or Pencil Holder for the Kids

An old tin makes a perfect little art station organizer. Just give it a good clean and fill it with crayons, twistables, or colored pencils!

9. DIY Spice or Tea Storage

For glass jars with lids, you can label and reuse them to hold loose-leaf teas or dried spices in your pantry. Bonus points if you use a chalk label or wax pencil.

10. Tiny Treasure Keeper

Use a tin or jar to store jewelry, safety pins, buttons, or your kiddo’s special “rocks” they keep bringing home from walks 😉

11. Join the Second Flame Program

If you’re not up for repurposing your vessel yourself, let us do it for you!

Through our Second Flame Program, you can return your clean, empty candle jar or tin and choose one of two rewards:

✨ Option 1: Receive a discount code for your next purchase

✨ Option 2: Have your vessel refilled with your favorite scent at a special refill rate

We’ll sanitize and give your jar new life, helping us cut down on waste together.

Start your return or learn more here:

🔗 threadandcrumb.com/second-flame-program

Thanks for being part of a slower, more sustainable way to shop 🤎

Let’s See Yours!

We love seeing how you reuse your jars — tag us on Instagram @threadandcrumb with your creations and we might feature you on our page or stories!

Saving the planet (and your space) one jar at a time ✨

Treasure Byers