Candle Refills: The Sustainable Future of Homemade Candles

Black candle labeled 'Cardamom Milk' by 'Sincerely Sunday' on a white background

For as long as I can remember, candles have mostly come in jars or containers. It makes sense -- when wax burns, it melts, so a vessel is necessary. But here’s the problem: this creates a lot of waste. Most of us instinctively toss the jar once the candle is finished and buy a new one.

Growing up, candle refills weren’t a thing. In fact, refills for almost anything were rare. It was all about convenience and consumerism -- buying products for instant satisfaction with little thought about their environmental impact.

Three white cylindrical candle refill kits with labels on a gray surface

The Candle Refill Boom

Fast forward to today, and the landscape has completely changed. Over the last decade, refillable products have surged across multiple industries, tackling single-use culture head-on. From cleaning supplies like dish soap and multi-surface sprays to personal care items like deodorant, shampoo bars, and solid perfume, refills are everywhere.

It was only a matter of time before candles joined the refill revolution.

Over the past five years, the demand for candle refills has grown dramatically. Many candle brands, including high-end names like Diptyque, now offer refillable candles to encourage sustainability and reduce waste.

To learn more about the increased demand for candle refills, check out our article on The Rise of Candle Making Kits.

Candle Refills and Their Different Forms

While all candle refills share the same goal -- giving you a way to reuse your vessel, they come in different forms depending on your needs.

Liquid wax being poured into a green ceramic vessel on a white background

1. Candle Refills That Don’t Require Specific Vessels

If you want to transform any jar or vessel into a candle, a versatile candle refill kit is ideal. Our Deconstructed Candles work both as a candle refill or a DIY candle making kit:

Refill an existing candle: Use the kit as a candle refill.
Make a candle from scratch: Turn your favorite vessel into a homemade candle.

These kits come with wax bars that can be melted and poured into virtually any vessel. Simply prep your vessel with the included wick, melt the wax bars in the microwave for 2 minutes, pour the melted wax, and let it cool for about 3 hours.

The kits are compatible with vessels of nearly any shape or size -- perfect for upcycling cool or funky jars you’ve been saving.

Note:

Wessels around 3” wide work best with a single kit, but larger containers may require multiple kits to ensure an even burn.
For full instructions on how to make a Deconstructed Candle, check out our candle making guide

Hand holding a white candle refill insert above a green glass container on a white background.

2. Candle Refills That Require Specific Vessels

Some brands create refills designed exclusively for their candle vessels.

The advantage: once your candle finishes, you can clean the container and insert the refill -- no waiting, no melting, just pop and burn.

The downside: is that these refills only work with their brand’s vessels. If you have a unique jar or a candle from another brand, you won’t be able to use these refills.

Luxury brands like Diptyque, Guerlain, and Voluspa offer these options, often with a higher price tag for the initial candle, while the refills are relatively cheaper.

Why Candle Refills Are the Future

Candle refills are transforming the home fragrance space. With major brands embracing sustainability, we can expect even more growth in demand. Every time someone chooses a refill over a new candle, they’re helping to normalize sustainable consumption, reduce waste, and show just how easy it is to make eco-friendly choices.

Whether you’re using a candle refill kit or a DIY candle making kit, the future of candles is here -- and it’s refillable.