Hello all!
I've been a busy worker bee, doing lots of DIY lately and I thought I'd share my most recent project; recycling candles. We all have candles with burnt out wicks but plenty of leftover wax. Fear not my friend, you can still use that wax! There are a few ways to do this, but I have my preferred method after many fails. I wouldn't call this a beginner project, but it isn't impossible either, you just have to pay attention (and not much is more boring than watching water boil, but seriously pay attention!) or you will end up with a huge mess on your hands...and all over your kitchen and floor.
I love this one because you get a nice layered candle that will go through all of your favorite scents! It's also such an easy way to avoid throwing out lots of awesome and easily re-usable material, saving you tons of money!
I highly encourage you to read the entire tutorial before attempting this one as I've laid out a lot of options and a lot of scenarios that I've encountered through trial and error.
Tutorial after the break!
PS...please excuse my lame photography, my nice camera is having battery issues and my phone was the closest thing around me =)
What you'll need:
Wicks with weights on the bottom (can be bought at any craft store)
Stovetop
An old Pot (or one you don't care about)
Cleaning gloves (to keep the heat away)
Water and a water cup
An extra container to put the new candle in (it can be one you are about to recycle)
A container to melt the wax in (I use glass - not too sure plastic will work, either a jar or something of that nature that I don't care about)
Leftover wax
Spoon or knife (optional)
Plastic baggies (if you don't plan on re-using your wax right away)
 |
| Wicks with weights. Say that five times fast! |
 |
| The thing in the bottom right corner is wax from a previous melting not meat haha. |
How to do it:
Before you begin you should decide if you want to just melt the wax and save it for a rainy day, or start your new candle. If you are starting your new candle simply place the new wicks at the bottom of your recycled or new candle jar/container. I was using a larger jar so I put three wicks in mine (like how the larger candles come). Saving your wax? Just use a plastic baggy and label it with the scent (if there is one) and the date, although I'm not sure if the date really matters.
Basically there are two methods of attack. Method One is to put the candle and its glass holder-friend in the freezer for a day or two then hack away at it with the blunt end of a knife and the wax will come out in chunks. Many prefer this method because it is a bit safer and (in theory) less messy. However, I've found that if you actually pay attention, method two is significantly easier, reduces the mess (you are going to need to melt the wax to reuse it anyway), and faster. Plus you don't run the risk of slamming your hand with a blunt object, or shattering the glass all over yourself.
Method Two is the best way to do this, albeit it's a bit more risky. First, make sure your candle is at room temperature as the temp difference can easily crack the glass if you are not careful. You are going to need your pan and stovetop at this point. fill the pot with about a 1/2 inch of water. You don't want too much water or it will bubble over into the wax and make a HUGE mess (don't ask). Boil the water then (while wearing your cleaning gloves for protection) put the candle and it's glass container in the water. If you hear that the glass is clanging against the bottom of the pot you have too much water. It will work for a little while, but I've found that 8 times out of 10 the glass breaks, leaving you with a huge mess.
 |
| Boiling away! Happy as can be! |
Wait until the candle wax has completely melted, then you can use your hands (with the gloves obviously), or if you are feeling accident prone use a spoon to fish out the burnt wick nubs from the wax.
If you are going straight for the remake, then quickly and confidently poor the wax into the new candle jar. You want to be quick to avoid the wax from dribbling down the side and getting all over the place (another lesson learned here in the 'workshop').
 |
| Keep the pour in the center if possible and move fast! |
Now, I learned that if you pour a large amount of wax into the new candle once it cools it will sink (see photo), in order to avoid this, you can save some wax, wait for the candle to cool, then fill in the hole with the extra reheated wax. I personally don't really care so I deal with the dimple. Remember, the point is to REUSE the thing so it's going to burn away anyway! Plus doing this for every layer will make this project last several days.
 |
| This is my finished candle, I returned to find it with this lovely sink whole in it |
If you've decided to save the wax then simply pour it into your labeled baggie. I stored my wax in the freezer to retain the scent and have it harden faster. A good tip is to do this right away. Position the melted wax in the freezer so it freezes with the zip part of the baggy upright (this will save you from having to worry about it spilling, or getting stuck). You want to make sure that you have a minimum of folds between the wax and the baggy, as this will make things difficult when you go to reuse the wax. Just play with it as it starts to harden (that's what she said...couldn't help myself) and let it set.
 |
| Look at that nicely frozen leftover wax! |
Special Notes:
I know not all candles come in a pretty glass container, if yours doesn't then just use a recycled glass jar, a glass container, or anything you don't really care about as it will be difficult to clean. I don't want to be responsible for someone ruining their favorite glass.
I've found that when melting the wax the containers from Bath and Bodyworks are best at not breaking (like the one pictured, the three wick candle). If you have one or something of that nature I'd recommend using that over something that has a thick bottom like a glass. If you don't have many or any on hand be sure to watch carefully so the candle doesn't burn. Also, if you have a candle that is in one of these containers that you want to reuse, freeze it and try Method One, then use Method Two to re-melt the wax.
Before you start be sure to think about what you want to get out of this project and what you have on hand. I had a lot of wax so I made a large candle, but if you are using a tea candle or something of similar size and not mixing then using a small baby food or garlic jar (or even an old shot glass) is a good bet. In fact, I burn my tea candles in a jar so they don't get all over the place.
Don't forget to trim the wick before you burn the candle. You don't want too much excess wick or it will burn all funky.
I am still experimenting with cleaning the empties. I use hot water and try to rinse as fast as I can. Always use a sponge that has about run its course, or dedicate one to candles, as you will get soot and wax all over it and make it hard to justify using it on things you eat off of. If there is a lot of wax, catch it with your hands after it hits water (it will harden immediately) and throw it out in order to avoid clogging your sink. The soot is easily removed with dish soap, the small layer of wax, not so much. Steel wool helps a bit, but if there are still some pesky leftovers (only small amounts!) run it through the dishwasher. This doesn't work all the time, but for some waxes it does a good job. If all else fails, use some nail polish remover on a paper towel and rub off the rest. It's tedious, but if I find a better method I'll be sure to update!
Comment below if you have any other questions and happy making!
-M
Hello all!
I've been a busy worker bee, doing lots of DIY lately and I thought I'd share my most recent project; recycling candles. We all have candles with burnt out wicks but plenty of leftover wax. Fear not my friend, you can still use that wax! There are a few ways to do this, but I have my preferred method after many fails. I wouldn't call this a beginner project, but it isn't impossible either, you just have to pay attention (and not much is more boring than watching water boil, but seriously pay attention!) or you will end up with a huge mess on your hands...and all over your kitchen and floor.
I love this one because you get a nice layered candle that will go through all of your favorite scents! It's also such an easy way to avoid throwing out lots of awesome and easily re-usable material, saving you tons of money!
I highly encourage you to read the entire tutorial before attempting this one as I've laid out a lot of options and a lot of scenarios that I've encountered through trial and error.
Tutorial after the break!
PS...please excuse my lame photography, my nice camera is having battery issues and my phone was the closest thing around me =)
What you'll need:
Wicks with weights on the bottom (can be bought at any craft store)
Stovetop
An old Pot (or one you don't care about)
Cleaning gloves (to keep the heat away)
Water and a water cup
An extra container to put the new candle in (it can be one you are about to recycle)
A container to melt the wax in (I use glass - not too sure plastic will work, either a jar or something of that nature that I don't care about)
Leftover wax
Spoon or knife (optional)
Plastic baggies (if you don't plan on re-using your wax right away)
|
| Wicks with weights. Say that five times fast! |
|
| The thing in the bottom right corner is wax from a previous melting not meat haha. |
How to do it:
Before you begin you should decide if you want to just melt the wax and save it for a rainy day, or start your new candle. If you are starting your new candle simply place the new wicks at the bottom of your recycled or new candle jar/container. I was using a larger jar so I put three wicks in mine (like how the larger candles come). Saving your wax? Just use a plastic baggy and label it with the scent (if there is one) and the date, although I'm not sure if the date really matters.
Basically there are two methods of attack. Method One is to put the candle and its glass holder-friend in the freezer for a day or two then hack away at it with the blunt end of a knife and the wax will come out in chunks. Many prefer this method because it is a bit safer and (in theory) less messy. However, I've found that if you actually pay attention, method two is significantly easier, reduces the mess (you are going to need to melt the wax to reuse it anyway), and faster. Plus you don't run the risk of slamming your hand with a blunt object, or shattering the glass all over yourself.
Method Two is the best way to do this, albeit it's a bit more risky. First, make sure your candle is at room temperature as the temp difference can easily crack the glass if you are not careful. You are going to need your pan and stovetop at this point. fill the pot with about a 1/2 inch of water. You don't want too much water or it will bubble over into the wax and make a HUGE mess (don't ask). Boil the water then (while wearing your cleaning gloves for protection) put the candle and it's glass container in the water. If you hear that the glass is clanging against the bottom of the pot you have too much water. It will work for a little while, but I've found that 8 times out of 10 the glass breaks, leaving you with a huge mess.
|
| Boiling away! Happy as can be! |
Wait until the candle wax has completely melted, then you can use your hands (with the gloves obviously), or if you are feeling accident prone use a spoon to fish out the burnt wick nubs from the wax.
If you are going straight for the remake, then quickly and confidently poor the wax into the new candle jar. You want to be quick to avoid the wax from dribbling down the side and getting all over the place (another lesson learned here in the 'workshop').
|
| Keep the pour in the center if possible and move fast! |
Now, I learned that if you pour a large amount of wax into the new candle once it cools it will sink (see photo), in order to avoid this, you can save some wax, wait for the candle to cool, then fill in the hole with the extra reheated wax. I personally don't really care so I deal with the dimple. Remember, the point is to REUSE the thing so it's going to burn away anyway! Plus doing this for every layer will make this project last several days.
|
| This is my finished candle, I returned to find it with this lovely sink whole in it |
If you've decided to save the wax then simply pour it into your labeled baggie. I stored my wax in the freezer to retain the scent and have it harden faster. A good tip is to do this right away. Position the melted wax in the freezer so it freezes with the zip part of the baggy upright (this will save you from having to worry about it spilling, or getting stuck). You want to make sure that you have a minimum of folds between the wax and the baggy, as this will make things difficult when you go to reuse the wax. Just play with it as it starts to harden (that's what she said...couldn't help myself) and let it set.
|
| Look at that nicely frozen leftover wax! |
Special Notes:
I know not all candles come in a pretty glass container, if yours doesn't then just use a recycled glass jar, a glass container, or anything you don't really care about as it will be difficult to clean. I don't want to be responsible for someone ruining their favorite glass.
I've found that when melting the wax the containers from Bath and Bodyworks are best at not breaking (like the one pictured, the three wick candle). If you have one or something of that nature I'd recommend using that over something that has a thick bottom like a glass. If you don't have many or any on hand be sure to watch carefully so the candle doesn't burn. Also, if you have a candle that is in one of these containers that you want to reuse, freeze it and try Method One, then use Method Two to re-melt the wax.
Before you start be sure to think about what you want to get out of this project and what you have on hand. I had a lot of wax so I made a large candle, but if you are using a tea candle or something of similar size and not mixing then using a small baby food or garlic jar (or even an old shot glass) is a good bet. In fact, I burn my tea candles in a jar so they don't get all over the place.
Don't forget to trim the wick before you burn the candle. You don't want too much excess wick or it will burn all funky.
I am still experimenting with cleaning the empties. I use hot water and try to rinse as fast as I can. Always use a sponge that has about run its course, or dedicate one to candles, as you will get soot and wax all over it and make it hard to justify using it on things you eat off of. If there is a lot of wax, catch it with your hands after it hits water (it will harden immediately) and throw it out in order to avoid clogging your sink. The soot is easily removed with dish soap, the small layer of wax, not so much. Steel wool helps a bit, but if there are still some pesky leftovers (only small amounts!) run it through the dishwasher. This doesn't work all the time, but for some waxes it does a good job. If all else fails, use some nail polish remover on a paper towel and rub off the rest. It's tedious, but if I find a better method I'll be sure to update!
Comment below if you have any other questions and happy making!
-M
Hello all!
I've been a busy worker bee, doing lots of DIY lately and I thought I'd share my most recent project; recycling candles. We all have candles with burnt out wicks but plenty of leftover wax. Fear not my friend, you can still use that wax! There are a few ways to do this, but I have my preferred method after many fails. I wouldn't call this a beginner project, but it isn't impossible either, you just have to pay attention (and not much is more boring than watching water boil, but seriously pay attention!) or you will end up with a huge mess on your hands...and all over your kitchen and floor.
I love this one because you get a nice layered candle that will go through all of your favorite scents! It's also such an easy way to avoid throwing out lots of awesome and easily re-usable material, saving you tons of money!
I highly encourage you to read the entire tutorial before attempting this one as I've laid out a lot of options and a lot of scenarios that I've encountered through trial and error.
Tutorial after the break!
PS...please excuse my lame photography, my nice camera is having battery issues and my phone was the closest thing around me =)
What you'll need:
Wicks with weights on the bottom (can be bought at any craft store)
Stovetop
An old Pot (or one you don't care about)
Cleaning gloves (to keep the heat away)
Water and a water cup
An extra container to put the new candle in (it can be one you are about to recycle)
A container to melt the wax in (I use glass - not too sure plastic will work, either a jar or something of that nature that I don't care about)
Leftover wax
Spoon or knife (optional)
Plastic baggies (if you don't plan on re-using your wax right away)
|
| Wicks with weights. Say that five times fast! |
|
| The thing in the bottom right corner is wax from a previous melting not meat haha. |
How to do it:
Before you begin you should decide if you want to just melt the wax and save it for a rainy day, or start your new candle. If you are starting your new candle simply place the new wicks at the bottom of your recycled or new candle jar/container. I was using a larger jar so I put three wicks in mine (like how the larger candles come). Saving your wax? Just use a plastic baggy and label it with the scent (if there is one) and the date, although I'm not sure if the date really matters.
Basically there are two methods of attack. Method One is to put the candle and its glass holder-friend in the freezer for a day or two then hack away at it with the blunt end of a knife and the wax will come out in chunks. Many prefer this method because it is a bit safer and (in theory) less messy. However, I've found that if you actually pay attention, method two is significantly easier, reduces the mess (you are going to need to melt the wax to reuse it anyway), and faster. Plus you don't run the risk of slamming your hand with a blunt object, or shattering the glass all over yourself.
Method Two is the best way to do this, albeit it's a bit more risky. First, make sure your candle is at room temperature as the temp difference can easily crack the glass if you are not careful. You are going to need your pan and stovetop at this point. fill the pot with about a 1/2 inch of water. You don't want too much water or it will bubble over into the wax and make a HUGE mess (don't ask). Boil the water then (while wearing your cleaning gloves for protection) put the candle and it's glass container in the water. If you hear that the glass is clanging against the bottom of the pot you have too much water. It will work for a little while, but I've found that 8 times out of 10 the glass breaks, leaving you with a huge mess.
|
| Boiling away! Happy as can be! |
Wait until the candle wax has completely melted, then you can use your hands (with the gloves obviously), or if you are feeling accident prone use a spoon to fish out the burnt wick nubs from the wax.
If you are going straight for the remake, then quickly and confidently poor the wax into the new candle jar. You want to be quick to avoid the wax from dribbling down the side and getting all over the place (another lesson learned here in the 'workshop').
|
| Keep the pour in the center if possible and move fast! |
Now, I learned that if you pour a large amount of wax into the new candle once it cools it will sink (see photo), in order to avoid this, you can save some wax, wait for the candle to cool, then fill in the hole with the extra reheated wax. I personally don't really care so I deal with the dimple. Remember, the point is to REUSE the thing so it's going to burn away anyway! Plus doing this for every layer will make this project last several days.
|
| This is my finished candle, I returned to find it with this lovely sink whole in it |
If you've decided to save the wax then simply pour it into your labeled baggie. I stored my wax in the freezer to retain the scent and have it harden faster. A good tip is to do this right away. Position the melted wax in the freezer so it freezes with the zip part of the baggy upright (this will save you from having to worry about it spilling, or getting stuck). You want to make sure that you have a minimum of folds between the wax and the baggy, as this will make things difficult when you go to reuse the wax. Just play with it as it starts to harden (that's what she said...couldn't help myself) and let it set.
|
| Look at that nicely frozen leftover wax! |
Special Notes:
I know not all candles come in a pretty glass container, if yours doesn't then just use a recycled glass jar, a glass container, or anything you don't really care about as it will be difficult to clean. I don't want to be responsible for someone ruining their favorite glass.
I've found that when melting the wax the containers from Bath and Bodyworks are best at not breaking (like the one pictured, the three wick candle). If you have one or something of that nature I'd recommend using that over something that has a thick bottom like a glass. If you don't have many or any on hand be sure to watch carefully so the candle doesn't burn. Also, if you have a candle that is in one of these containers that you want to reuse, freeze it and try Method One, then use Method Two to re-melt the wax.
Before you start be sure to think about what you want to get out of this project and what you have on hand. I had a lot of wax so I made a large candle, but if you are using a tea candle or something of similar size and not mixing then using a small baby food or garlic jar (or even an old shot glass) is a good bet. In fact, I burn my tea candles in a jar so they don't get all over the place.
Don't forget to trim the wick before you burn the candle. You don't want too much excess wick or it will burn all funky.
I am still experimenting with cleaning the empties. I use hot water and try to rinse as fast as I can. Always use a sponge that has about run its course, or dedicate one to candles, as you will get soot and wax all over it and make it hard to justify using it on things you eat off of. If there is a lot of wax, catch it with your hands after it hits water (it will harden immediately) and throw it out in order to avoid clogging your sink. The soot is easily removed with dish soap, the small layer of wax, not so much. Steel wool helps a bit, but if there are still some pesky leftovers (only small amounts!) run it through the dishwasher. This doesn't work all the time, but for some waxes it does a good job. If all else fails, use some nail polish remover on a paper towel and rub off the rest. It's tedious, but if I find a better method I'll be sure to update!
Comment below if you have any other questions and happy making!
-M
Hello all!
I've been a busy worker bee, doing lots of DIY lately and I thought I'd share my most recent project; recycling candles. We all have candles with burnt out wicks but plenty of leftover wax. Fear not my friend, you can still use that wax! There are a few ways to do this, but I have my preferred method after many fails. I wouldn't call this a beginner project, but it isn't impossible either, you just have to pay attention (and not much is more boring than watching water boil, but seriously pay attention!) or you will end up with a huge mess on your hands...and all over your kitchen and floor.
I love this one because you get a nice layered candle that will go through all of your favorite scents! It's also such an easy way to avoid throwing out lots of awesome and easily re-usable material, saving you tons of money!
I highly encourage you to read the entire tutorial before attempting this one as I've laid out a lot of options and a lot of scenarios that I've encountered through trial and error.
Tutorial after the break!
PS...please excuse my lame photography, my nice camera is having battery issues and my phone was the closest thing around me =)
What you'll need:
Wicks with weights on the bottom (can be bought at any craft store)
Stovetop
An old Pot (or one you don't care about)
Cleaning gloves (to keep the heat away)
Water and a water cup
An extra container to put the new candle in (it can be one you are about to recycle)
A container to melt the wax in (I use glass - not too sure plastic will work, either a jar or something of that nature that I don't care about)
Leftover wax
Spoon or knife (optional)
Plastic baggies (if you don't plan on re-using your wax right away)
|
| Wicks with weights. Say that five times fast! |
|
| The thing in the bottom right corner is wax from a previous melting not meat haha. |
How to do it:
Before you begin you should decide if you want to just melt the wax and save it for a rainy day, or start your new candle. If you are starting your new candle simply place the new wicks at the bottom of your recycled or new candle jar/container. I was using a larger jar so I put three wicks in mine (like how the larger candles come). Saving your wax? Just use a plastic baggy and label it with the scent (if there is one) and the date, although I'm not sure if the date really matters.
Basically there are two methods of attack. Method One is to put the candle and its glass holder-friend in the freezer for a day or two then hack away at it with the blunt end of a knife and the wax will come out in chunks. Many prefer this method because it is a bit safer and (in theory) less messy. However, I've found that if you actually pay attention, method two is significantly easier, reduces the mess (you are going to need to melt the wax to reuse it anyway), and faster. Plus you don't run the risk of slamming your hand with a blunt object, or shattering the glass all over yourself.
Method Two is the best way to do this, albeit it's a bit more risky. First, make sure your candle is at room temperature as the temp difference can easily crack the glass if you are not careful. You are going to need your pan and stovetop at this point. fill the pot with about a 1/2 inch of water. You don't want too much water or it will bubble over into the wax and make a HUGE mess (don't ask). Boil the water then (while wearing your cleaning gloves for protection) put the candle and it's glass container in the water. If you hear that the glass is clanging against the bottom of the pot you have too much water. It will work for a little while, but I've found that 8 times out of 10 the glass breaks, leaving you with a huge mess.
|
| Boiling away! Happy as can be! |
Wait until the candle wax has completely melted, then you can use your hands (with the gloves obviously), or if you are feeling accident prone use a spoon to fish out the burnt wick nubs from the wax.
If you are going straight for the remake, then quickly and confidently poor the wax into the new candle jar. You want to be quick to avoid the wax from dribbling down the side and getting all over the place (another lesson learned here in the 'workshop').
|
| Keep the pour in the center if possible and move fast! |
Now, I learned that if you pour a large amount of wax into the new candle once it cools it will sink (see photo), in order to avoid this, you can save some wax, wait for the candle to cool, then fill in the hole with the extra reheated wax. I personally don't really care so I deal with the dimple. Remember, the point is to REUSE the thing so it's going to burn away anyway! Plus doing this for every layer will make this project last several days.
|
| This is my finished candle, I returned to find it with this lovely sink whole in it |
If you've decided to save the wax then simply pour it into your labeled baggie. I stored my wax in the freezer to retain the scent and have it harden faster. A good tip is to do this right away. Position the melted wax in the freezer so it freezes with the zip part of the baggy upright (this will save you from having to worry about it spilling, or getting stuck). You want to make sure that you have a minimum of folds between the wax and the baggy, as this will make things difficult when you go to reuse the wax. Just play with it as it starts to harden (that's what she said...couldn't help myself) and let it set.
|
| Look at that nicely frozen leftover wax! |
Special Notes:
I know not all candles come in a pretty glass container, if yours doesn't then just use a recycled glass jar, a glass container, or anything you don't really care about as it will be difficult to clean. I don't want to be responsible for someone ruining their favorite glass.
I've found that when melting the wax the containers from Bath and Bodyworks are best at not breaking (like the one pictured, the three wick candle). If you have one or something of that nature I'd recommend using that over something that has a thick bottom like a glass. If you don't have many or any on hand be sure to watch carefully so the candle doesn't burn. Also, if you have a candle that is in one of these containers that you want to reuse, freeze it and try Method One, then use Method Two to re-melt the wax.
Before you start be sure to think about what you want to get out of this project and what you have on hand. I had a lot of wax so I made a large candle, but if you are using a tea candle or something of similar size and not mixing then using a small baby food or garlic jar (or even an old shot glass) is a good bet. In fact, I burn my tea candles in a jar so they don't get all over the place.
Don't forget to trim the wick before you burn the candle. You don't want too much excess wick or it will burn all funky.
I am still experimenting with cleaning the empties. I use hot water and try to rinse as fast as I can. Always use a sponge that has about run its course, or dedicate one to candles, as you will get soot and wax all over it and make it hard to justify using it on things you eat off of. If there is a lot of wax, catch it with your hands after it hits water (it will harden immediately) and throw it out in order to avoid clogging your sink. The soot is easily removed with dish soap, the small layer of wax, not so much. Steel wool helps a bit, but if there are still some pesky leftovers (only small amounts!) run it through the dishwasher. This doesn't work all the time, but for some waxes it does a good job. If all else fails, use some nail polish remover on a paper towel and rub off the rest. It's tedious, but if I find a better method I'll be sure to update!
Comment below if you have any other questions and happy making!
-M
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