Brooke Martin
Whether it's a frayed wick or a shattered candle, there are several ways to salvage your favourite novelty candle. Firstly, assess the damage. If the wick is frayed or too short, you can remove it with an apple corer and replace it with a new wick. If the candle has broken into pieces, you can melt the wax and reform the candle. To do this, fill a pot with water and heat it to 160–180°F (71–82°C). Dip the broken ends of the candle into the hot water until the wax begins to melt, then hold the pieces together for 30 seconds. For a smooth finish, blast the candle with a heat gun or hair dryer. Always be cautious when working with hot wax and water, and wear gloves if possible.
How to fix a broken novelty candle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to fix a broken candle | When the wick is buried under wax or broken |
| What you need | A pot, plastic gloves, an oven mitt or towel, tweezers, napkins, a heat gun, a lighter, a double boiler, a candy thermometer |
| First steps | Remove broken pieces of glass from the wax, place the wax in a pot of boiling water to melt it |
| Fixing a broken wick | Use twine, tightly rolled-up newspaper, or a store-bought wick as a replacement |
| Fixing a broken candle | Dip the broken ends of the candle into the melted wax, hold the pieces together for 30 seconds, and set aside to dry |
| Preventing future issues | Ensure the wick is not too long or too short, use a wick trimmer to cut the wick to the correct length |
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What You'll Learn
Remove broken glass pieces from the candle wax
To remove broken glass pieces from candle wax, you will need to gather some supplies: a pot, a pair of plastic gloves, an oven mitt or towel, and some tweezers. These will protect your hands from hot wax and sharp glass, and help you handle the broken pieces safely. If you have napkins, these can also be useful for wiping down the glass fragments.
Using your tweezers, carefully extract the larger pieces of broken glass from the candle wax. Take your time with this step and try to remove as many of the larger pieces as possible. If there are a lot of fragments, you may want to use a napkin to wipe down the glass as you go. Be sure to angle the tweezers in a way that minimises the risk of cutting yourself on sharp edges.
Once you have removed the larger pieces, there may still be small shards of glass remaining in the wax. To address this, you can melt the wax. Fill a pot with water and place it on the stove, turning the heat up high. You want the water to reach a temperature of around 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, which is sufficient to melt most wax candles. If you are in a hurry, you can also use a microwave-safe dish and heat the wax in one-minute increments at 60% power.
As the wax melts, it will help to loosen the remaining glass fragments, making them easier to remove. Use your oven mitt or towel to handle the hot wax and gently pull out any remaining glass pieces. Be cautious, as the wax and glass will both be hot. Alternatively, if you are able to safely pour the melted wax into a new container, you can simply leave the glass shards behind.
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Melt wax in a double boiler
Melting wax in a double boiler is a safe, efficient, and economical way to fix your broken novelty candle. It is a beginner-friendly method that requires easily accessible equipment.
To melt wax in a double boiler, you will need a large pot, a smaller heat-safe container, and some water. Fill the large pot with about 1-2 inches of water and place it on your stove over medium heat. Bring the water to a gentle simmer—you do not want it to reach a rolling boil as this can cause uneven heating and increase the chances of burning.
Place your wax in the smaller container, which can be a pouring pitcher, a clean coffee can, or a smaller saucepan. Ensure that the container fits inside the larger pot without touching the bottom. The type of wax you are using will determine the melting temperature. For example, soy wax melts at a lower temperature of around 120°F to 140°F, while beeswax has a higher melting point of 145°F to 175°F.
Place the smaller container with the wax inside the larger pot, ensuring it rests comfortably without touching the water. As the wax begins to melt, stir it occasionally with a wooden or heat-safe spatula to encourage even melting. Do not stir aggressively, as this can introduce air into the blend, impacting the final quality of your repaired candle.
Monitor the temperature of the wax with a thermometer to ensure it remains within the safe range. Once the wax is completely melted, carefully remove the smaller container from the larger pot. If you plan to add fragrance or colour, do so now. Stir the blend for about two minutes to ensure the oil is well-dispersed.
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Dip broken candle ends into melted wax
To fix a broken novelty candle by dipping its broken ends into melted wax, follow these steps:
First, fill a small saucepan or pot with water and place it on a stove. Turn the heat to high. The water needs to reach a temperature of at least 120–155 °Fahrenheit (60 °Celsius). This temperature is sufficient to melt most wax candles. You can use a thermometer to check the water temperature if you like.
Next, bend the top piece of your broken candle back to expose the two broken ends. Then, dip these broken ends into the hot water until the wax begins to melt. Be careful not to dip the candle too far into the water, as you only need to melt the outermost ends of the pieces. Thinner candles will only need a few seconds, while thicker candles may require more time.
Once the wax has started melting, immediately secure the two pieces together in their original form. Hold them firmly for at least 30 seconds, and then gently set the candle upright on a table to air-dry. Thirty seconds may not be enough time for the candle to dry completely, but it will be secure enough to stand on its own. The full drying time will depend on the thickness of your candle, but a few minutes should be sufficient for most candles.
You can also use melted wax instead of hot water to fix your broken candle. Simply melt some wax in a pan or pot, being careful not to let it exceed 140 °Fahrenheit (60 °Celsius). Then, dip the broken ends of your candle into the melted wax for a few seconds until the ends begin to melt. Quickly join the pieces back together and hold them firmly for 30 seconds before setting the candle down to dry.
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Secure pieces together and let dry
To fix a broken novelty candle, you will need to melt the wax and join the pieces together. This can be done by filling a pot with water and heating it to 160–180°F (71–82°C) on a stove. The wax will begin to melt when the water reaches this temperature, as the melting point of most wax candles is between 125 and 155°F (52–68°C).
Once the wax has melted, carefully remove the candle from the water using oven mitts or a towel, and place it on a flat surface. Hold the pieces together firmly for at least 30 seconds. The candle will be secure enough to stand on its own, but it will need more time to fully dry.
The drying time will depend on the thickness of the candle, but it should only take a few minutes for most candles. You can speed up the process by using a heat gun or a hair dryer to blast the join with hot air for a few seconds. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much heat can ruin the finish of the candle.
If you want to further smooth the finish of the candle, you can overdip it by melting candle wax in a pot or can in a double boiler. The container must be at least as tall as the candle, and the wax should be heated to 180°F (82°C). Hold the candle with your heat gun or hair dryer, then dip it into the hot wax for three seconds. Allow the candle to cool and the wax to harden before using it again.
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Add a new wick
If the wick is severely frayed or has been cut too short, it may be possible to fix it without replacing it. First, check if the wick is buried under wax rather than broken. If this is the case, light the wax using a heating gun or a lighter to melt the wax at the top of the candle. Immediately pour out the hot liquid and then light the wick as normal.
However, if the wick is broken and impossible to use again, you will need to add a new wick. David Bronkie, the co-founder of Siblings, recommends threading a new store-bought wick into the hole where the wick broke off. You can also use twine or tightly rolled-up newspaper as a makeshift wick.
To remove the old wick, use an apple corer to twist and push out the old wick, leaving a hole in the wax plug. Then, put the new wick through the hole.
Once the new wick is in place, ensure it is the correct length. According to Wendy Marcus, the senior manager of research and development for Yankee Candle, cutting the wick too short can lead to problems such as a weak flame and poor fragrance performance. The wick should be one-fourth of an inch in length before each burn, according to Bronkie, for a longer burn time and stronger scent.
After cutting the wick, use a wick trimmer to prevent fraying and remove any trimmings from the surface.
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Frequently asked questions
If the wick is buried under wax, light the wax using a heating gun or a lighter to melt the wax at the top of your candle. Immediately pour out the hot liquid and light the wick as normal. If the wick is broken, use twine or tightly rolled-up newspaper as a replacement.
If your candle has fallen into pieces, you can melt the wax and reform the candle. First, put on plastic gloves to protect your hands from hot wax. Then, fill a pot with water and heat it to 160-180°F. Dip the broken ends of the candle into the hot water until the wax begins to melt, then hold the pieces together for 30 seconds. Set the candle down and allow it to dry.
To fix a cracked candle, melt a small amount of wax in a double boiler. Use a paintbrush to paint the hot wax inside the crack. Work quickly as the wax will cool as soon as it touches the air.
