Fancy Candle Jars

[mombottoo]

My hubby has a habit of buying scented candles in jars. The jars are the really nice ones with the glass tops w/rubber gasket and I just hate the thought of throwing them out so I am going to repurpose these jars for gifts in a jar.

Do you think that if I submerge the jars in boiling water to get the wax residue out they will be safe to use for food? I am thinking of putting together cookie mix jars & giving them away as gifts. Or maybe someone has a better idea for the jars?

[zakity]

What about buying those candle kit things and some scents at the craft store and give away candles as gifts?

I don't know if those jars are food safe. Maybe, you could put the stuff in plastic bags inside of the jars, just in case.

[Ceashels]

I was given a gift of about 15 of those jars all cleaned and with the label off. Giving them a bath in very very hot water will melt the wax which will float to the top of the water after it is cool. I don't know how she got the lables off. I use mine for all types of food storage (yeast, salt, sugar, splenda, grains, dried fruits, etc.) If you suspect there is still wax on the jars after their first bath, give them another.

[mombottoo]

Thanks for the ideas and info ladies!!! I am going to start cleaning some of them tomorrow, since it is supposed to be cold out.

[PrairieRose]

I wash mine in hot soapy water and get 99% of the wax out that way and then I run em through the dishwasher. Works like a charm. I use one in the fridge to store cut onions in. Keeps em from stinking up the fridge and changing the taste of other foods better than a ziplock bag.

[Lady_V]

If you put the jars in the freezer, you can pop the wax off... the only thing I would be afraid of... not knowing if it is a leaded glass or not.

[ravenmaniac]

Great tips! I always hated getting rid of those pretty jars. Now I know what I can use them for. Thanks!

[wandabeauty]

I don't know how she got the lables off.

I use WD-40 to get the glue off. First soak in hot water, then scrape off as much of the paper label as possible. Spray with WD-40 and work it in with my fingers. Then take a scrubbie that is on its last legs and remove the glue. Sometimes I have to give it a second spray and scrub.

[PrairieRose]

If you put the jars in the freezer, you can pop the wax off... the only thing I would be afraid of... not knowing if it is a leaded glass or not.

I may be a goober for asking this.....isn't the only leaded glass crystal? If so I can tell crystal from glass in almost *all* cases..... (for one thing it's really, really heavy in comparison). Do you buy glasses 2nd hand? Does this concern you for those too? It's just something I've never thought about I guess......???

[Lady_V]

I may be a goober for asking this.....isn't the only leaded glass crystal?

Some of the older glasses can be leaded, depends on where and when it was made. (and no, I don't buy used glasses, too scared and with all the scares involving lead, I make sure I read packages carefully)

Remember those green candy dishes from the 60's? They are radioactive... http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~scdiroff/lds/QuantumRelativity/GreenGlassCandyDish/GreenGlassCandyDish.html

[Lady_V]

dishes from the 60's? They are radioactive...

sorry... 50's (edit button wasn't there)

[Cherie31355]

The candles I sell are environmentally friendly - made from VEGETABLE wax! AND they burn CLEAN to the bottom. So, washing out and using is safe AND easy! I re-use my candle jars for all kinds of storage, both food and non-food!

[Contrary Housewife]

I clean mine in the dishwasher, after scraping out as much wax as possible. The super high temp water and water pressure takes care of them beautifully.

[karone]

we use the only one we have for pop tabs that we give to jason's mom for the school she works at.

[boysnberries]

I'm going to have to try this. I generally don't buy candles, but sometimes I end up with those jars as gifts.