California Summers Candle Refill: How to Reuse Your Jar Safely

Quick answer

To reuse your Classic Candle jar with the California Summers Candle Refill, remove all old wax and wick debris, dry the jar completely, then drop in the coconut wax refill and trim the new wick before lighting. Always follow the refill's safety instructions and never add a refill to a cracked or chipped jar.

Step-by-step refill instructions

1. 1. Retire the old candle safely: Burn the original candle until the wax pool is mostly gone, then extinguish it and let the jar cool completely before handling. Common mistake: pouring out hot wax or scraping while the glass is warm, which can crack the jar or splash wax. Never rush the cool-down; a warm jar is fragile.
2. 2. Remove all old wax and wick remnants: Use a plastic scraper or your fingers to lift out leftover wax, then wipe the inside with a paper towel. Check that the wick clip and any adhesive are gone. Common checkpoint: the jar bottom should feel smooth and flat with no raised metal or sticky residue. A flat, residue-free base helps the refill sit level.
3. 3. Clean and dry the jar completely: Wash the jar with warm soapy water, rinse well, and dry it upside down on a rack until no moisture remains inside. Common mistake: adding the refill to a damp jar, which can prevent proper adhesion and cause tunneling or wick issues. Any water left in the jar is a refill failure risk.
4. 4. Inspect the jar for damage: Hold the dry jar up to light and look for cracks, chips, or scratches, especially near the rim and base. If you find any damage, do not refill; recycle the jar instead. Common checkpoint: run a fingernail around the rim to feel for chips you cannot see. A damaged jar is not safe for any candle, refill included.
5. 5. Drop in the California Summers refill: Unwrap the coconut wax refill and place it directly into the clean, dry 9oz jar, pressing gently so it sits flat. Do not force it or trim the wax to fit. Common mistake: using a jar that is not the original 9oz size, which can leave the refill unstable. The refill is designed for the 9oz Classic Candle jar; check the size before inserting.
6. 6. Trim the wick and do a first burn: Trim the new wick to about 1/4 inch before lighting, and burn long enough for the wax to melt evenly across the surface. Common mistake: lighting with an untrimmed or bent wick, which can cause soot or an uneven melt pool. A trimmed wick and a full melt pool set the refill up for a clean burn.
7. 7. Follow ongoing refill candle safety tips: Keep the candle away from drafts, never burn it for more than four hours at a time, and stop using it when only 1/2 inch of wax remains. Common checkpoint: if the flame smokes or flickers excessively, extinguish it, let it cool, and re-trim the wick. Treat the refill like any candle: monitor it and never leave it unattended.

Product facts

• California Summers - Classic Candle Refill: The California Summers Classic Candle Refill is a coconut wax insert with notes of California Waves, Sea Salt, Warm Vanilla, and Teakwood, designed to add about 60 hours of fragrance to a 9oz Voluspa jar. This means one refill can roughly double the usable life of your Classic Candle vessel if the jar is cleaned and inspected properly before each use.