One of the things we're most proud of at Mimi & August is that our candles don't end when the wax does. Every candle we make is poured into a reusable ceramic cup designed from the start to have a life well beyond its first burn.
But once the wax is gone, a lot of people aren't sure what to do next. Clean it out? Keep it? Refill it? Repurpose it? The answer is: all of the above. Here's everything you need to know starting with how to get the cup perfectly clean, followed by six of our favourite ways to give it a second life.
First: How to Clean Out Your Candle Cup
Before you repurpose your jar, you'll want to remove any remaining wax and the wick tab at the bottom. It's easier than it sounds.
The hot water method (our favourite): Pour boiling water directly into the cup and let it sit. As the water cools, the wax will solidify on the surface and can be lifted right out. Pour off the water, wipe the inside clean with a paper towel, then wash with warm soapy water. Done.
The freezer method: Place the cup in the freezer for a couple of hours. The wax contracts as it freezes and pops away from the sides, making it easy to lift out in one piece. A butter knife helps if needed. Wash with warm soapy water after.
Either way, avoid pouring liquid wax down the drain, it solidifies in pipes. Once your cup is clean and dry, it's ready for its next chapter.
And of course, if you'd rather just start fresh with a new scent, our soy wax candle refills fit directly into your existing cup. Same ceramic, new fragrance, zero new packaging.
6 Ways to Reuse Your Mimi & August Candle Cup
1. Your New Favourite Coffee Mug
This is the one our team reaches for first. The ceramic cups are the perfect size for an espresso, a cortado, or a small morning coffee. Sturdy, beautiful, and already part of your daily ritual it's a natural transition. Just make sure the cup is fully cleaned and dried before your first sip.
2. A Desk Organizer
Pens, pencils, scissors, markers, our ceramic cups hold them upright and look good doing it. We use them constantly at the studio for exactly this. If you've collected a few cups over time, a small row of them on a desk makes for a cohesive and genuinely elegant organizer set. Much better than a plastic cup from the dollar store.
3. A Mini Planter
If you've ever visited our boutique on the South Shore of Montreal, you know we have a serious thing for plants. The cups are an ideal size for small succulents, cacti, or a sprig of fresh herbs. Add a thin layer of pebbles at the bottom for drainage, fill with potting soil, and you have a planter that's actually beautiful enough to live on a windowsill.
4. A Kitchen Organizer
Toothpicks, small spice packets, tea bags, sugar sticks, a bundle of cinnamon sticks, the cup is narrow enough to sit neatly on a counter without taking over, and pretty enough that you don't mind having it out in the open. It brings a bit of calm to a space that tends to collect clutter.
5. A Welcome Kit for Guests and Meetings
This is one of our favourite uses both at the studio and as a gift idea. Fill a clean cup with a few small treats: a couple of chocolates, a tea bag or two, a matchbook, a small card. It becomes an instant welcome gesture for visitors, clients, or anyone you want to make feel at home.
At our studio, we've used them on the table during meetings and pop-up events. For gifting, pair a filled cup with one of our illustrated greeting cards and you have something genuinely thoughtful that costs very little to put together. It's the kind of detail people remember.
The Best Option of All: Refill It
All of the ideas above are genuinely great but we'd be remiss not to mention the option we designed the cups for in the first place.
Our soy wax candle refills are made to fit directly into your existing Mimi & August ceramic cup. Hand-poured in our South Shore of Montreal workshop with the same 100% natural soy wax, non-toxic fragrance oils, and lead-free cotton wick as the original just in refill form. You get a brand new candle experience with zero new packaging and a lower price than buying a full candle.
It's the most sustainable choice, and our favourite way to give the cup a second life that feels exactly like its first.
Browse our full range of candle refill scents and find your next favourite.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reusing Candle Jars
Is it safe to drink from a reused candle jar?
Yes as long as it's properly cleaned. Our ceramic cups are food-safe by design, since they were always intended to be reused as drinkware. Just make sure all wax residue is fully removed and the cup is washed with warm soapy water before use.
What's the easiest way to remove wax from a candle jar?
The hot water method is the easiest: pour boiling water into the jar and let it sit. As the water cools, the wax floats to the surface and solidifies, making it simple to lift out. Alternatively, place the jar in the freezer for two hours the wax contracts and pops away from the sides cleanly.
Can I put my Mimi & August cup in the dishwasher?
We recommend hand-washing to preserve the ceramic and any decorative finish. Warm soapy water and a cloth or sponge is all you need it takes about 30 seconds once the wax is already out.
Can I use my old cup with a candle refill?
Absolutely that's exactly what they're designed for. Our soy wax candle refills fit directly into your existing Mimi & August ceramic cup. Clean it out, drop in the refill, and you have a brand new candle with zero new packaging.
Can I use the cup as a planter even though it has no drainage hole?
Yes, with a small workaround. Add a layer of pebbles or small stones at the bottom of the cup before adding soil this creates a reservoir so roots aren't sitting in water. It works well for succulents, cacti, and other low-water plants. For herbs that need more drainage, a slightly larger pot with a hole is a better fit.
Do the refills come in the same scents as the original candles?
Yes our refills are available in the same fragrance collection as our full candles. You can stick with your favourite scent or use the refill as an opportunity to try something new. Browse all available refill scents here.