Maddie James
Candles are delicate objects that can easily chip, crack, and break. When a candle breaks, the wick is either severed, or the candle is in two pieces with the wick still intact. Luckily, there are several ways to salvage a broken candle, including melting the broken ends and sticking them back together, or melting the candle entirely and reshaping it into smaller candles.
How to Clean a Broken Candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Examine the candle | Check if the break is clean and the pieces fit together |
| Remove debris | Blow or brush away loose wax particles from the break sites |
| Melt the wax | Use a match or a lighter to melt the wax at the break site, then push the pieces together |
| Use a toothpick | Insert a toothpick into the centre of the broken piece and push it into the main candle |
| Fill gaps | Drip wax from a like-coloured taper into any cracks, allowing each layer to dry |
| Use hot water | Boil water in a pot and place the candle in the water to melt the wax, then secure the pieces together |
| Remove glass | Use tweezers to carefully remove broken glass from the wax |
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What You'll Learn
Removing broken glass from a candle
If your candle has broken, you may be able to save it and still burn it safely. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove broken glass from a candle:
Firstly, gather your supplies: a pot, plastic gloves, an oven mitt or towel, tweezers, and some napkins. These supplies will help you safely remove the glass and handle the wax. Using tweezers, carefully remove the large pieces of broken glass from the candle wax. Napkins can also be used to wipe off the glass and make the process easier. If the glass has shattered into many small pieces, it may not be possible to save the candle.
Once you have removed as much glass as possible, you can then focus on the candle wax. If you intend to melt the wax and remake the candle, you can place the wax in a pot of boiling water to melt it. You can then pour the melted wax into a new container, such as a glass jar or bowl, and allow it to harden. Alternatively, you can simply remove the candle from the broken glass and place it in another container to burn as a pillar candle.
If you want to repair the broken candle, you can do so by melting the wax at the break site and holding the pieces together until the wax hardens. You can also use a toothpick to join the pieces and fill in any noticeable gaps with dripped wax.
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Using a double broiler to melt wax
Melting wax with a double boiler is one of the safest and most efficient ways to melt candle wax without burning it. It is also an affordable and beginner-friendly setup. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to melt wax using a double boiler:
What you need:
- A large pot: This will serve as the base of your double boiler and hold water.
- A heat-safe container: Use a heat-safe metal or glass bowl to hold your wax. This container should fit inside the larger pot but should not touch the bottom.
- Wax: Depending on the type of candles you’re making, you might use soy wax, beeswax, or paraffin wax.
Setting up the double boiler:
- Fill the large saucepan about halfway with water and place it on the stove to heat.
- Place your wax in the heat-safe container, which can be a pouring pitcher, clean coffee can, smaller saucepan, or glass bowl.
- Place the heat-safe container with the wax inside the larger pot, ensuring it does not touch the bottom.
Melting the wax:
- As the water in the large saucepan boils, the steam will heat the bowl of wax.
- Stir in colour if desired and mix thoroughly.
- If you are adding fragrance, remove the wax from the heat first. Most wax should be heated to 185 degrees Fahrenheit before adding fragrance, but always check your wax supplier's instructions.
- Never leave the double boiler unattended, and do not use the pan for preparing food once you've used it for melting wax.
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Filling cracks with wax
Filling cracks in a candle with wax is a simple process, but it requires patience and caution. Firstly, it's important to understand why candles crack. Cracking often occurs when candles are cooled too quickly, especially in cold environments like refrigerators or freezers, which can cause them to become brittle and break. It is recommended to cool your candles at a steady temperature of 18°C to 25°C for 48 hours. Additionally, maintaining a consistent temperature in the room is crucial to preventing cracks.
Now, to fill in the cracks with wax:
- Melt some extra wax: You will need some extra wax that matches the colour of your candle. Melt this wax and set it aside for later use.
- Prepare the candle: Examine the candle and identify the cracks that need to be filled. If there are any loose wax particles or debris around the cracks, use a gentle breeze or your fingers to remove them, ensuring the area is clean.
- Fill the cracks: Carefully drip the melted wax into the cracks. It's important to do this slowly and in thin layers, allowing each layer to harden before adding more wax. This gradual process ensures that the wax fills the crack without overflowing or creating an uneven surface.
- Smooth the surface: Once the crack is filled, use a heat gun for a few seconds to smooth out the filled area, creating a seamless finish. Be cautious when using a heat gun, as excessive heat can cause the wax to melt again or create new cracks.
- Final touches: If there are any small imperfections or wax particles on the surface, use a gentle breeze or a soft brush to remove them. Your candle should now be crack-free and ready for use!
Remember, while these methods can effectively fill cracks in a candle, there might still be some minor imperfections. However, with careful filling and smoothing, you can minimise these flaws, and your candle will likely burn as intended.
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Joining broken pieces with melted wax
Candles are delicate objects that can easily chip, crack, and break. While you may not be able to fix a broken candle perfectly, there are methods to ensure the imperfection is not noticeable. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to joining broken pieces of a candle with melted wax:
Firstly, examine the broken candle and the piece that has broken off. If the break is clean and the pieces fit together like a puzzle, blow or brush away any loose wax particles from the break sites. Next, light a match and carefully hold the exposed wax of the broken piece in the flame until it begins to melt. Push the broken piece onto the break site and hold it there until the wax hardens.
If the broken piece does not fit perfectly, you can use a toothpick to secure it in place. Light a match and hold it against the jagged side of the broken piece until the wax melts. Then, push a 2-inch toothpick into the centre of the broken piece and join the two parts together, pushing the wax of the broken piece into the wax of the break site. Hold the pieces together until the wax hardens.
To fill in any noticeable gaps, drip wax from a like-coloured taper into the crack, allowing each layer to harden before adding more wax. This process must be done in layers.
It is important to note that different types of wax may adhere together differently at different temperatures. Therefore, it is recommended to use the same type of wax when combining the remnants of multiple candles.
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Using aluminium foil to burn a broken candle
While candles are a great way to set the mood or create a cosy atmosphere, they are surprisingly delicate. Wax is relatively soft, and candles can often chip, crack, and break. One common issue with candles is ''candle tunneling', which occurs when the wick burns straight down the centre, resulting in a wax ring around the wick that cannot be melted. This usually happens when the candle is not burned long enough the first time it is lit, or when the wick is too small.
A popular hack to fix candle tunneling involves using aluminium foil to reflect heat back towards the glass, heating the wax from the sides while also being warmed by the flame on the wick. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use this method to clean a broken candle:
- Take a sheet of aluminium foil and wrap it around the edges of the candle, leaving an opening in the centre for the wick to burn properly. The foil should hang over any built-up wax areas, but ensure that the opening is large enough to allow sufficient oxygen for the flame to burn.
- Light the candle and let it burn for a couple of hours. The reflected heat will help to melt and even out the surface of the wax.
- After a couple of hours, the wax ring should have shrunk or melted down completely, leaving you with a level candle surface again.
- Caution should be exercised when handling the foil as it will become extremely hot, even on the outside.
- For larger candles, ensure that the flame is strong enough to generate sufficient heat to melt the wax.
- If the foil method does not work, you can try using a hairdryer or heat gun on a low setting to melt and smooth out the wax.
It is important to note that the success of this method may vary depending on the quality of the wax and the shape of the candle container. Additionally, some people prefer using metal candle toppers instead of aluminium foil as they are more aesthetically pleasing and can be used every time you burn the candle to prevent tunneling.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a pot, plastic gloves, an oven mitt or a towel, tweezers, and some napkins.
Put on your plastic gloves and safety glasses, then use tweezers to carefully remove the broken glass pieces. You can also wrap the candle in several layers of aluminium foil and burn it.
Fill a pot with water and heat it on a stove until the water starts to "dance". This indicates a temperature of 160-180°F, which is sufficient to melt the wax.
If the break is clean and the pieces fit together like a puzzle, hold the broken piece in a flame until the wax melts, then push the pieces together and hold them until the wax hardens. For a stronger hold, insert a toothpick into the centre of the broken piece before joining the pieces.
Place the candle in a bowl wider than its diameter and pour boiling water around it. This will melt the wax closest to the glass, allowing you to slide out the candle without losing much wax.
