Candle Refills
Ever wondered what to do with your empty candle jars once the wax is gone? You simply pour fresh wax into the mold, let it cool, and place it right back into the jar. Whether you make candles just for yourself or have loyal customers of your own, refill molds make it easy to prepare batches ahead of time and give people an economical and sustainable way to keep reusing their jars.
Over the years, we’ve worked with many candle makers and picked up a lot of helpful tips, since finding the perfect fit can sometimes be a bit of an experiment at first. But don’t let that put you off, investing a little time in the beginning is worth it and pays off later. When working with natural materials, it’s important to remember that different waxes shrink in different ways, which affects how well the refill fits.
Before you dive in, take a moment to explore the tips below. They’ll help you feel more confident and make the whole process smoother and more enjoyable.
Why Use Candle Refills?
• Sustainable – Less waste, more reuse.
• Convenient – Quicker than pouring a new candle from scratch.
• Flexible – Try different scents and wax blends without needing new jars.
• Cost-effective – Refill molds last for hundreds of uses.
Start by Cleaning Your Candle Jar
First things first, we need to remove any leftover wax that has stuck to the sides of the jar.
• Use a spoon or blunt knife to gently scrape out any large bits of wax.
• Wash the inside with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth. If you’re rinsing with water, try not to let wax go down the drain.
• Dry the jar thoroughly.
• Look for any chips or cracks. Never reuse a damaged jar.
All our jars share the same internal shape, so you don’t need a different refill for every collection. Whether you prefer one style or love to mix and match, the same refill will work across them all.
Making Your Candle Refill
• Melt your wax and pour it into the silicone mold.
• Let it cool and harden fully.
• Gently remove the refill.
• Leave it to rest so it can finish shrinking naturally (6–24 hours is best).
• Place it into your clean jar and enjoy.
Important: Never burn a refill on its own. Always place it inside a jar. Melted wax without a container is a fire risk.
Tips for the Best Results
Through testing and hearing from other makers, here are a few things we’ve learned:
• If you cast your own jars, use the inner support ring. It helps the vessel stay round so refills fit better.
• Let the refill rest after removing it from the mold. A longer rest helps the size settle properly.
• Try different waxes to see what fits best. Some shrink more (like beeswax) and create a tighter fit, while others (like soy) shrink less. Test a small batch first.
• If the refill feels a bit big, you can wrap a few elastic bands around it to compress it slightly.
What to Know About Fit
Each wax and container shrik a little differently. Even the same type of wax can set in its own way, depending on the brand. We found during testing that soy wax from one supplier sometimes shrank more than soy from another. Things like additives, how hot you pour, and curing time all play a part. Trying a small batch at first, helps you avoid surprises and saves time later.
Important: Refills are made to fit our jars. If you use other containers, test carefully first, since we can’t guarantee compatibility.
Thanks for choosing a more sustainable way to make candles and reuse what you already love.
Ready to get started?
Browse our refill molds here
