A finished jar candle leaves behind a heavy glass jar with a thin layer of wax stuck at the bottom. Most of these jars end up in the dustbin or collecting dust on a shelf. Ten minutes of cleaning is all it takes to put one back to use around the house.

First, get the leftover wax out

There are two methods. Both work on soy wax, beeswax and paraffin.

Freezer method. Put the jar in the freezer for 3 to 4 hours. Cold wax shrinks and pulls away from the glass. Press it with a butter knife and it usually comes out in one piece. This works best when only a thin layer is left.

Hot water method. Scrape out what you can with a spoon. Fill the jar with hot water, leaving a 2 cm gap at the top. Use water that has stood for a minute after boiling, because water straight off the boil can crack thin glass. The wax melts and floats. Once the water cools, the wax sets into a disc on top that you can lift out. Throw the wax in the dustbin. Don't pour it down the sink, because it hardens inside the pipes.

Next, prise off the metal wick base with the knife. Wash the jar in warm water with dish soap. Rub off any leftover label glue with a few drops of coconut oil. Before reusing the jar, check the glass for cracks or chips. This matters most if you plan to pour a new candle into it.

1. Pour a new candle into it

The jar was made to hold hot wax, so it's the easiest container for your first homemade candle. Melt soy wax chunks or pure beeswax, stick a cotton wick with a metal base to the centre of the jar, and pour. Our guide on how to make scented candles at home covers temperatures and how much fragrance to add. Hettvalley stocks soy wax chunks and pure beeswax for candle makers.

2. Grow a money plant cutting

Fill the jar with water and put in a money plant cutting, with at least one node below the waterline. Roots usually appear within two to three weeks, and the glass lets you watch them grow. Change the water once a week. A tinted or frosted jar slows down the green algae that forms in clear glass.

3. Keep makeup brushes standing

Pour a few centimetres of rice or coffee beans into the jar and push the brush handles into it. The brushes stay upright with the bristles off the counter. Wide, short jars work better here than tall, narrow ones.

4. Turn it into a desk organiser

Pens, scissors, highlighters and a steel ruler all fit in a standard jar. Two jars of different heights side by side keep tall and short items apart. That makes it quicker to grab what you need.

5. Store the small things that keep getting lost

Hair clips, rubber bands, safety pins, spare buttons and earring backs all fit. A jar that came with a lid works well on a bathroom shelf for rings and studs, because nothing falls down the drain.

6. Make a Diwali gift jar

Fill the jar with wrapped toffees, chocolates or individually packed dry fruits. Tie a ribbon around the neck and add a name tag. For an extra touch, put a scented wax sachet on top, which the person can later keep in a wardrobe drawer. Keep anything edible in its wrapper, since candle jars aren't sold as food-grade containers.

7. Use it as a tealight holder

Drop a tealight into the empty jar. The glass walls shield the flame from a ceiling fan, so it doesn't flicker out or blow sideways. Three or four jars on a brass plate make a quick Diwali arrangement for an entrance or a pooja corner. Place them away from curtains, and never leave them burning in an empty room.

When not to reuse a jar

Skip any jar with a crack or chip, even a small one. Heat and water both make the crack spread. Don't store loose food in a candle jar unless the glass is labelled food-grade.

When your next jar candle burns down, you'll have a use for the jar too. Try the Strawberry Delight jar candle or browse Hettvalley's scented candles in Ahmedabad to pick your next one.