While it may be disheartening to acknowledge that your beloved candle has finally burned so completely that it cannot be relit, there is always a bright side: these simple crafts allow you to utilize every last bit of the colorful or scented wax.
You may melt the leftover wax from a taper, pillar, or jarred candle and utilize it in a number of ways, such as adding it to a candle warmer or creating lovely flower wax sachets that make kind gifts or useful fire starters.
How to Melt Candle Wax Safely
Wax leftover in jars or candle holders, as well as the bottoms of too-small candles, can be melted and reused.
Apply the Double Boil Technique
The melting points of several types of wax range from 100 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Melt a spent candle’s too-small-to-light remnants by placing it in a small skillet over a large pan of simmering water. After the wax has melted, use tongs to remove and discard any old wicks before pouring the molten wax into a jar for the crafts listed below.
Candle Wax Removal From a Jar
Reusing wax from a jarred candle can be done in the same way, but only after the wax has been taken out of the jar.
Warm Up or Chill Out
If the candle wax is still soft, you can scoop it out; if not, you can either freeze the jar or the candle holder, or you can put the jar in a pan of hot water to help release the remaining wax. “This enables the wax to contract and effortlessly emerge from the candleholder when it is taken out of the freezer,” states Kathy LaVanier, National Candle Association (NCA) president. “Never take out wax drips from a glass votive holder with a knife or other sharp object. It could weaken or damage the glass, making it break when used again.”
“Wax drippings can be removed from most candleholders by running hot water over them,” advises LaVanier, if you want to rescue every last drop of wax.
Kristen Pumphrey, the founder of P.F. Candle Co., also recommends taking out the labels from candle jars and using the oven on its lowest setting to melt the wax so it may be removed and reused.
Apply liquid paraffin.
Liquid paraffin is another useful tool LaVanier mentions while getting ready to remove candle wax. She suggests “simply putting a little on a paper towel and use it to wipe away [excess] wax,” which may be keeping the remaining wax from releasing.
Candle Wax Reuse: Five Methods
Remember the kind of wax you are melting before beginning any of these do-it-yourself projects. Candles are available in paraffin, synthetic, soy, coconut, palm, beeswax, stearic acid, and gelled mineral oil forms, claims LaVanier. Make sure the leftover wax from multiple candles is the same kind if you’re mixing it together.
- Cut a piece of wicking, available at craft stores, two inches taller than the votive holder.
- Knot one end and thread through a wick tab (also available at crafts stores); tie the free end around a wooden skewer.
- Dip wicking and tab into the melted wax to coat them.
- Remove, then press the tab to the bottom of the holder, and rest the skewer on the votive’s rim.
- Pour melted wax into the votive holder, stopping a half inch below rim. Let stand until it sets, about one hour. To even the well at the center, pour more wax into the center until it’s one-fourth inch below rim.
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Instead of a plain votive holder, follow the same instructions as above—but pour your melted wax over a new wick nestled in a vintage teacup.
Make Wax Melts
A candle warmer heats small pieces of wax, called wax melts, to release a delicate fragrance. “Leftover wax from a candle that can no longer be burned can be removed from the jar and put into a wax melter for homemade melts,” says Pumphrey.
Make Floral Wax Sachets
This floral wax sachet project starts with unscented wax; adding essential oil and pressed flowers allows a light fragrance to fill your room (with no open flames). If you’re using the remains of several scented candles for this project, make sure the combination of aromas will meld well.
Make Wax Fire Starters
Fire starters made from wax flakes, cedar shavings, and dried flowers and herbs make it easy to create a cozy glow in your fireplace without the need for an armload of kindling.
