Chloe Adams
Candles made from crayons are a fun DIY project, but it's important to note that crayons are not meant to be burned and may release harmful chemicals into the air. If you still want to make candles from crayons, choose a heat-resistant container like a jelly jar, and consider mixing crayons with regular candle wax. To get started, remove the paper wrapping from your crayons, break them into small pieces, and melt them in the microwave or oven. Then, pour the melted crayon into your container, add a wick, and let it cool. You can create layers of different colours by waiting for each layer to cool before adding the next.
How to DIY candles with crayons
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | This activity should only be conducted with adult supervision. Exercise caution when using the stove or microwave, handling hot wax, or lighting your candle. |
| Container | Use a container that you can sacrifice for candle-making, such as a jelly jar, which can withstand high heat. |
| Crayons | Look for crayons with spots of other colors, dull crayons, or extra crayons. Aim for 10-15 crayons. |
| Wrappers | To remove wrappers, fill a bowl with ice water and let crayons sit for 5 minutes. Snap crayon in half and peel off the wrapper. |
| Melting | Put crayons in the microwave for 2 minutes at a time until smooth. Alternatively, preheat the oven to 250°F, break crayons into small pieces, and bake for 15-20 minutes until melted. |
| Mold | Spray your container with non-stick spray. Pour the melted crayon into the mold and let it set for 5 minutes. |
| Wick | Choose the appropriate wick size based on candle size, additives, and wick type. Insert the wick and press the wax around it. Trim the wick, leaving 1/2-1 inch above the candle. |
| Cooling | Allow the wax to cool for 20-30 minutes before adding another layer of color. You can place the mold in the fridge to speed up the process. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your crayons
When choosing your crayons, it's important to remember that you'll need quite a few to make a candle—some sources suggest around 10 to 15 crayons. Look for crayons that have spots of other colours on them, are dull and can't colour anymore, or are simply spares that you have lying around. You can use any colours you like, but it's a good idea to choose colours that go well together, such as green and blue, or orange and yellow.
Before you start making your candle, you'll need to remove the paper wrapping from your crayons. One way to do this is to fill a bowl with water and ice, then let the crayons sit in the water for about five minutes. If the wrapper comes off easily, you can simply snap the crayon in half and peel off the wrapper. If it's still difficult to remove, try holding the crayon vertically on a table and gently sliding a knife downwards until you can see the wax underneath.
Once you've removed the wrappers, break the crayons into small pieces, around 1/2-inch or smaller. This will make it easier to melt them down and mix the colours together. You can either layer a few crayon pieces of each colour into a muffin tin or mix all the colours together and then melt them. If you want to create layers of colour in your candle, melt one colour at a time and pour it into your mould, letting it cool before adding the next layer.
It's worth noting that some sources advise against making candles from crayons, as the colourants and pigments used in crayons may not be safe to burn and could release harmful substances into the air. If you're concerned about this, you might want to consider using candle dye or mixing your crayons with regular candle wax to reduce the amount of crayon wax in your candle.
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Removing crayon wrappers
Soaking Method:
This method involves soaking the crayons in water to loosen the wrappers. First, fill a bowl with water and add a few pieces of ice to chill the water. Next, place the crayons in the water, ensuring they are completely submerged. Let them sit for around 5 minutes. After this time, the wrappers should peel off easily. If needed, snap the crayon in half and peel off the wrapper from the break point. Alternatively, hold the crayon vertically on a table and use a knife to gently slide the wrapper off, exposing the crayon wax.
Melting Method:
Another approach is to melt the crayons to separate the wax from the wrapper. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Peel off as much of the wrapper as you can by hand. Then, break the crayons into small pieces, around 1/2-inch or smaller. Place the crayon pieces in a muffin tin, layering different colors in each space. Bake the crayons in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they have completely melted. Allow the melted wax to cool, then pop the new crayons out of the tin.
Drilling Method:
This method involves using a drill and a scrap piece of wood to remove the wrappers. First, drill two holes in the wood. The first hole should be about the diameter of a crayon, going all the way through the wood. The second hole should accommodate a wood screw and should intersect the first hole. Insert the wood screw so that its tip just enters the crayon hole. Push the crayons through the first hole, adjusting the screw depth so that it scrapes the wrapper off the crayon.
Microwave Method:
Place your crayons, with the wrappers still on, in a container you no longer need. Put them in the microwave and heat in intervals of 2 minutes until the crayons are completely melted. Be careful when removing the container from the microwave, as it will be hot. Quickly pour the melted wax into your chosen mold, as it will start to set up fast. Let the wax cool for about 5 minutes, then insert the wick.
Once you have removed the crayon wrappers, you can proceed with the rest of your candle-making process. Remember to exercise caution when handling hot wax and always have adult supervision if children are involved. Additionally, some sources advise against making candles from crayons due to potential safety concerns and the inclusion of pigments not meant for candles.
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Melting the crayons
Preparing the Crayons:
Before melting, it is important to remove the paper wrapping from the crayons. There are a few methods to do this: soaking the crayons in ice water for easy peeling, snapping the crayons in half and peeling off the wrapper, or using a knife to gently slide under the wrapper. Break the crayons into small pieces, around 1/2-inch or smaller. This will ensure they melt more evenly and quickly.
Choosing a Heat Source:
You can melt crayons using either a microwave or an oven. If using a microwave, place the crayon pieces into a microwave-safe container and heat in short intervals of 2 minutes, stirring in between, until the crayons are completely melted. Alternatively, if using an oven, preheat it to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and place the crayon pieces in a muffin tin. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the crayons have melted completely. Always use oven mitts and handle hot containers with caution.
Melting Process:
When melting crayons, it is important to stir them occasionally to ensure even melting. If using an oven, keep an eye on the crayons to prevent overheating or burning. Once the crayons have completely melted, carefully remove the container from the heat source. If using a microwave, handle the container with oven mitts as it will be hot.
Adding Additional Wax:
Depending on the desired consistency and burning properties of your candle, you may want to add additional candle wax to the melted crayons. This is also a good option if you don't have enough crayons to fill your mold. You can experiment with different ratios of crayons to wax to find the desired result.
Pouring the Melted Crayons:
Once your crayons are melted and any additional wax is added, it's time to pour the mixture into your mold. Spray your mold with a non-stick spray beforehand to ensure easy removal later. Work quickly, as the wax will start to set, and pour the melted crayon mixture into your chosen mold. You can use various containers, such as metal cookie cutters, mini baking cups, or jelly jars, ensuring they are heat-safe.
Remember, melting crayons is just the first step in making DIY crayon candles. After pouring the melted crayons into your mold, you will need to insert a wick and let the wax cool completely before removing your candle from the mold. Always exercise caution when working with hot wax and open flames. Enjoy creating your unique and colourful crayon candles!
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Adding the wick
Once you've chosen the appropriate wick, it's time to insert it into the candle. Allow the melted crayon mixture to cool and partially set before adding the wick. Make a small hole in the half-set candle with a toothpick or a pointed crayon end. Then, insert the wick of your choice and gently press the wax around it with your finger. Ensure you leave about 1/2 to 1 inch of the wick above the candle.
If you're using a mold, you may need to wait longer for the wax to cool and harden before removing the candle. After inserting the wick, let the candle set for another 10 minutes before removing it from the mold. You can then use a spoon or a knife to gently poke one side of the mold until the candle slides out.
For safety reasons, it is important to note that crayons are not specifically formulated to be safe for inhalation when burned. Therefore, these crayon candles may be more suitable as decorative pieces rather than functional candles.
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Removing the candle from the mould
Firstly, it is important to wait until the mould has cooled completely. If you try to remove the candle before the wax has set, the surface of the candle may tear and crumble. Once the mould is cool, you can try gently tapping the bottom of the mould, which will help to shake the candle loose. Flip the mould upside down, so the opening faces downwards, and tap slowly and progressively. You don't want the candle to slip out too quickly.
If your mould has a wick, try tugging on the couple of inches of wick poking out of the top of the candle. Don't use too much strength, as you might break the wick or cause it to slip out of the candle.
If your mould has a putty-type sealer, this can be peeled off to help release the candle. Magnetic mould sealers can simply be pulled off, but these are less common and are usually only used with plastic or aluminium moulds. If your mould has a rubber plug, simply grab the base and pull it out.
If your candle is stuck, you can try placing the mould in the refrigerator, which will help the wax set and separate from the mould. Flip the mould every 30 minutes to ensure even cooling.
For metal moulds, you can try using boiling water. Run boiling water over the outside of the mould for a few seconds, then pull hard on the wick. You can also try placing the mould, wax and all, into a metal dish with boiling water, and melting the candle out. This will damage the candle, but at least you'll save the wax.
For plastic and acrylic moulds, use hot, not boiling, water. Pour the water over the mould and pull the softened candle out.
For silicone moulds, it is important to use a mould release spray, as working without one is near impossible. You can also try chilling the wax to help shrink it and make it easier to remove.
For two-sided plastic moulds, you can use beeswax, but the natural stickiness means you can only add up to 10% beeswax to paraffin wax. Any more than this, and you will have to lubricate the mould.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make candles with crayons by melting the crayons in a container in the microwave or oven, pouring the melted wax into a mould, inserting a wick, and letting the wax cool.
You should use a container that you don't mind sacrificing to make candles. Metal containers are a good option, such as a cookie cutter or mini baking cup. Avoid using paper, plastic, or milk cartons as they pose a fire or melting hazard.
Jelly jars are a good option for moulds as they are manufactured to withstand high heat during the canning process. You can also use pie tins, but these may not be sturdy enough.
The size of the wick depends on the size of the candle, the type of wick, and any additives in the candle. There is no exact formula for choosing a wick size, so it's best to test different sizes and see what works best.
Fill a bowl with cold water and ice. Put the crayons in the water, wrapper and all, and let them sit for about 5 minutes. If the wrapper peels off easily, snap the crayon in half and remove the wrapper. If it's still on, use a knife to gently slide it off.
