Chloe Adams
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but they can be frustrating when they don't burn properly or break. Luckily, there are several ways to fix old candles and give them a new lease of life. Whether it's repairing a broken wick, fixing candle tunnelling, or melting down old wax to create new candles, you can easily make the most of your old candles with a few simple techniques and tools.
How to fix your old candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preventing candle tunneling | Burn the candle long enough for the entire top surface of wax to melt. |
| Candle tunneling fix | Use the foil trick or put the candle in a low oven between burns to melt the wax. |
| Replacing broken wicks | Use twine, tightly rolled-up newspaper, or a store-bought wick. |
| Melting old candle wax | Place old candles in a saucepan of boiling water to melt the wax. |
| Reusing melted wax | Pour the melted wax into a container with a wick attached to the bottom. |
| Fixing broken decorative candles | Use a toothpick and a match to melt the wax and stick the pieces together. |
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What You'll Learn
Fixing a broken wick with a heating gun or lighter
Fixing a broken candle wick can be done in a few simple steps. Firstly, it is important to assess whether the wick is simply buried under wax or broken altogether. If the wick is buried under wax, use a heat gun, hair dryer, or a lighter to melt the wax at the top of the candle. Once the wax has melted, immediately pour out the hot liquid and then light the wick as normal.
If the wick is broken, there are a few DIY options to consider. Firstly, you can use an apple corer to push to the bottom of the candle and wiggle it around to loosen the wick. Push the corer all the way up and remove it from the candle, and then put a new wick through the hole in the wax plug. Alternatively, you can thread a new store-bought wick into the hole where the wick broke off. This new wick will allow you to burn the candle until you reach the old wick, at which point you may need to scrape away wax to light the old wick.
If you are using a heat gun or a lighter, it is important to hold the flame directly on top of the wick for up to 30 seconds to melt the surrounding wax. You can also try holding the candle upside down as you light it, but be careful not to do this for more than 10-15 seconds to avoid wax dripping onto your hand.
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Using twine or newspaper as a makeshift wick
If your candle's wick is damaged or broken, there are a few DIY options to continue using your candle as normal. Nia Jones, the co-founder of BROWN GIRL Jane, recommends checking if the wick is buried under wax and not broken. If this is the case, light the candle wax using a heating gun or a lighter to melt the wax at the top of the candle. Then, pour out the hot liquid and light the wick as normal.
If the wick is broken, Jones recommends using twine or tightly rolled-up newspaper as a makeshift alternative. First, use an apple corer to push to the bottom of the candle and loosen the old wick by wiggling the corer around. Push the corer all the way up and remove it from the candle, which should now have a wax plug. Put the new wick through the hole in the wax plug.
To make a cotton wick, soak twine in a Borax and salt solution for 24 hours. After drying for 2-3 days, dip the wick in candle wax. Linen, hemp, and jute twine are great alternatives to cotton twine, and almost any cotton cord will work in place of butcher's twine. If you don't want to use Borax, simply soak the twine in melted wax.
To make a wooden wick, soak a balsa wood stick in olive oil for 20 minutes and attach it to a metal wick tab. To make a floating wick, wrap one end of a cotton pipe cleaner into a circle and cut the other end so it's 1/2 inch above the circle. Dip it in candle wax.
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Preventing candle tunneling by burning for one hour per inch of diameter
Candle tunnelling is a common issue that occurs when a candle burns down the centre, leaving a thick ring of unmelted wax around the edges. This not only wastes your candle but also shortens its lifespan.
To prevent tunnelling, it is important to ensure that the entire top surface of wax is melted during the first burn. This is because the first burn sets the 'memory ring' of the candle, determining how it will continue to burn. If the wax does not melt to the edges during the first burn, the candle will continue to tunnel in all subsequent burns.
A good rule of thumb is to burn your candle for one hour per inch of its diameter. For example, if your candle has a diameter of 3 inches, you should let it burn for 3 hours before putting it out. This will allow the wax to melt and pool to the edges, setting a good memory ring and preventing future tunnelling.
If your candle has already started to tunnel, you can try the foil trick. Wrap a layer of aluminium foil around the top of the candle, leaving a small hole in the middle for the flame. This traps the heat and helps to melt the ring of wax on the sides. Alternatively, you can place the candle in a low oven between burns to melt the wax evenly.
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Repairing a decorative candle with a toothpick and a match
If you have a decorative candle that has broken, you can repair it using a toothpick and a match. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:
First, examine the broken candle and the piece that has broken off. If the break is clean and the pieces fit together like a puzzle, you can proceed with the repair. Start by blowing or brushing 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. Quickly push the broken piece onto the break site and hold it there until the wax hardens. You can use your fingers to gently brush away any small wax particles that may remain.
Now, take a toothpick and break it into a 2-inch piece. This toothpick will act as a support structure to hold the broken piece in place. Insert the toothpick into the centre of the broken piece and then push it into the break site, joining the two pieces together.
If there is a noticeable gap or crack, you can fill it in by dripping melted wax of a similar colour into the crack. Allow each layer to harden before adding more wax until the crack is filled.
Finally, light a match and hold it against the break site to melt the wax and smooth out any imperfections. Be cautious when handling burning matches to avoid burns.
By following these steps, you can repair your decorative candle and restore its original appearance.
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Melting old candle wax to make new candles
Firstly, you need to harvest your used wax. This involves separating the wax from the containers it is stuck to. The method will vary depending on the type of candle you have. For example, if your candle has melted into a fragile candlestick, you can put it in the freezer for a few hours, and then gently pry the wax out with a chopstick or similar implement.
Next, you will need to melt the wax. Place the wax scraps into a pot or bowl that can be used as the top half of a double boiler. Fill a saucepan or the bottom of your double boiler halfway with water, and place the container of wax inside. Make sure the water is simmering, and set the heat to medium. Allow the wax to melt, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to ensure even heating. This should take between five and ten minutes, depending on the amount and type of wax. Different types of wax have different melting points, ranging from 100 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once your wax is melted, it's time to strain it. Use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the wax from the double boiler into a clean mason jar or glass measuring cup. This step is important as it will help your new candles burn cleaner. If you wish, you can repeat the melting and straining process one or two more times to ensure your wax is as pure as possible.
Now you are ready to start making your new candles! Cut a piece of wicking, available at craft stores, 2 inches taller than your chosen vessel. Knot one end and thread it through a wick tab, which can also be purchased from craft stores. Tie the free end around a wooden skewer. Dip the wicking and tab into the melted wax to coat them, then press the tab to the bottom of your vessel, resting the skewer on the rim.
Finally, carefully pour your melted wax into the vessel, stopping about half an inch below the rim. Allow the wax to set for about an hour. To even out the well in the centre, pour more wax until it is a quarter of an inch below the rim.
There are many ways to customise your new candles. For example, you can add essential oils or dried flowers to the wax, or pour it over a new wick nestled in a vintage teacup. You can also use leftover wax to make scented votives or fire starters.
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