If you have a cabinet full of empty Bath & Body Works candle jars because they are too cute to throw away, congratulations, you have accidentally created a second hobby.
The good news is that Bath & Body Works is actively leaning into reusable candle vessels now.
The slightly less fun news: some of the things people casually use empty candle jars for are things the brand specifically says not to do.
So before you turn one into a candy jar, makeup pot or tiny soup bowl — yes, people do this — here is what Bath & Body Works currently says.
What Bath & Body Works says you CAN use empty candle jars for
On its current reusable ceramic candle jars, Bath & Body Works suggests reusing the empty vessel as things like:
- A desk organizer for pens, clips and other little things that normally migrate across your desk.
- A catch-all for keys, coins or random tiny objects.
- A succulent planter.
- A craft-supply container for beads, buttons or other non-food items.
Honestly, this is why I keep jars. They look expensive enough that my brain refuses to believe they are trash.
And the planter idea is not new. Bath & Body Works was sharing candle-jar planter inspiration years ago, which is why we already have a whole Bath & Body Works candle jar planter post in the TTB archive.
Do not turn the new ceramic candle jars into food containers
This is the part worth knowing.
Bath & Body Works currently says its reusable ceramic candle jars are not food-safe.
The company also says they should not be reused for anything that touches skin, food or drink.
So the cute little jar that looks like it would be PERFECT for candy on your desk?
Use it for paper clips instead.
And I would not assume an older or different Bath & Body Works candle vessel is food-safe just because it looks like a normal jar. If the container is not specifically labeled for food contact, keep the reuse idea decorative or organizational.
Bath & Body Works also says not to use a knife or direct heat to remove leftover wax
There are approximately eleven billion candle-cleaning hacks online, and some of them get aggressive.
For its current ceramic candle jars, Bath & Body Works specifically says not to use a knife or other sharp object to remove leftover wax or wicks.
It also says not to use heat from a microwave, oven or stovetop to remove wax residue.
That is probably the most useful sentence in this entire post because I have absolutely seen “just put the jar in the oven” floating around the internet as if glass and ceramic have never cracked in the history of civilization.
Follow the instructions for the specific vessel you own rather than forcing out wax with sharp tools or extreme heat.
What I would actually do with the empty jars
I would keep this simple.
For a current reusable Bath & Body Works ceramic vessel: desk organizer, succulent, catch-all or craft storage.
For an older glass 3-wick jar: I would still stick to non-food uses unless the specific vessel is labeled for food contact.
And if you are saving twelve of them because you swear you are going to make a gorgeous matching planter wall one day?
I am not here to judge you. I am here to enable you responsibly.
Start with the original candle-jar planter idea, then maybe — maybe — we can finally clear out that cabinet.
