Chloe Adams
Candles are a great way to add ambiance to a room, but they can be expensive. Fortunately, it is possible to remelt old candles and make new ones. This process is cost-effective, easy, and customizable. There are a few different ways to remelt candles, including using a small pot inside a larger pot filled with simmering water, or melting the wax in the oven. Once the wax is melted, it can be poured into a new container with a wick. It's important to note that different types of wax have different melting points, so the time it takes to melt the wax will vary. Additionally, if combining the remnants of several candles, it is recommended to use the same type of wax to achieve even burning and avoid safety hazards.
How to remelt candles so they are flat
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of wax | Paraffin wax, synthetic wax, soy wax, coconut wax, palm wax, beeswax, stearic acid, gelled mineral oil |
| Wax preparation | Rub liquid paraffin on wax to help release it from the jar |
| Melting method | Double boiler, oven, saucepan |
| Melting temperature | 100–145°F |
| Straining | Yes, to remove impurities |
| Wick | Yes, use a new wick |
| Container | Yes, use a container of your choice |
| Scent | Optional |
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What You'll Learn
Use a double boiler to melt wax
To remelt candles, you can use a double boiler to melt the wax. This method is safer than melting wax directly over a flame as it reduces the risk of the wax overheating or catching fire. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Firstly, harvest your used wax. You will need to separate the wax from the containers it is stuck to. The process will vary depending on the type of candle you are working with. For example, if you have fragile candlesticks, you can put them in the freezer for a few hours before gently prying the wax out with a gentle implement like a chopstick. For metal or glass jars, place them open-side-up in a shallow pan or baking sheet, ensuring it is on a heat-resistant surface.
Next, prepare your double boiler. Fill the bottom of the double boiler or a saucepan halfway with water. Place your container of wax scraps inside, ensuring that the water does not touch the bottom of the container. Set the heat to medium. You can also use a small pot inside a larger pot filled with water, as suggested by Kathy LaVanier, president of the National Candle Association.
Allow your wax to melt, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to ensure even heating. The time it takes to melt will depend 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, you can strain it to remove any impurities. This will help your finished candles burn cleaner, especially if you are making citronella candles, as the extra smokiness will make them more effective against bugs.
After straining, add all the clean wax back into the double boiler and melt it completely. At this stage, you can also add scents if desired. For example, add five to ten drops of citronella oil for citronella candles.
Finally, carefully pour the melted wax into your prepared candle containers with wicks. Allow the wax to cool and harden completely before using your new candles.
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Prepare the container and wick
To prepare the container and wick for your remelted candles, you'll need to choose a suitable container, clean it, and then place a wick in the centre.
There are many containers you can use for your new candle, such as an old candle container, a crystal votive holder, a teacup, a miniature vase, a ramekin, a crystal cup, or a short mason jar. You can find interesting containers at antique stores and thrift stores. It's important to ensure your container is clean before adding the wax. If you're reusing an old candle jar, clean it with boiling water first.
Now, it's time to prepare the wick. Most wicks come with double-sided stickers. Peel off one side and place the sticker in the centre of your container. Place the wick in the middle of the container so that it drapes over a pencil, or something similar like a toothpick or popsicle stick. You can optionally use a piece of tape to secure the wick to the pencil. Cut the wick to be about 2 inches taller than the votive holder.
If you're feeling creative, you can make your own wicks using cotton. Take 2-3 threads from a cotton undershirt, twist them together, and dip them in melted wax. Tie a paperclip or something with a little weight to the waxed string to ensure the wick stays centred.
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Mix waxes and add scents
When remelting candles, it is important to note that different types of wax have different melting points, ranging from 100 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, if you are combining different types of wax, they will melt at different speeds and require stirring. It is recommended that you only mix the same types of wax to achieve even burning and avoid potential safety hazards. For example, wax and soy candles can be mixed, but they will melt at different rates.
To melt your wax, fill a saucepan or the bottom of a double boiler halfway with water. Place your wax scraps into a container that can be nested inside the saucepan without touching the water. Turn the heat to medium and let the wax melt, stirring occasionally.
Once your wax has melted, you can add scents and dyes to create your desired fragrance and colour. For example, to make citronella candles, add five to ten drops of citronella oil to the melted wax and stir. If you are combining the remnants of scented candles, ensure that the combination of aromas will complement each other.
Before pouring your melted wax into a new mould, it is recommended to strain the wax to remove any impurities. This will ensure your new candle burns cleaner and is not as grimy. You can then pour your melted wax into a mould of your choosing, such as an old candle jar, a crystal votive holder, a teacup, or a small vase.
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Pour wax into the container
Now that you've melted your wax, it's time to pour it into your chosen container. You can use a variety of containers, such as an old candle jar, a crystal votive holder, a teacup, a miniature vase, a ramekin, a crystal cup, or a short mason jar. Just make sure that your container can withstand the heat of the wax and that it's placed on a surface that won't be damaged by the heat.
Before pouring, prepare your container by placing a wick in the centre. You can use a piece of tape to hold the wick in place, draping it over a pencil, toothpick, or popsicle stick. If you're using a jar, you can also tie the wick to something that will rest across the rim of the jar, such as a skewer. Make sure the wick is long enough to protrude slightly from the top of the container.
When you're ready to pour, carefully remove the melted wax from the heat source and begin pouring it into your prepared container. Pour slowly and carefully to avoid spilling any hot wax. Stop pouring when the wax level is about half an inch below the rim of the container.
If you're combining wax from multiple candles, be mindful of the scents and colours. Make sure the combination of aromas will blend well, and consider whether you're happy with colours mixing to create a muddy brown. You can also add essential oils or dried flowers to enhance the scent and appearance.
Leave the wax to set for about an hour. Once it's hardened, you can fill in any dips around the wick with the extra wax you kept aside. Allow this to harden as well, and then your new candle is ready to burn!
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Remove bubbles and harden wax
To remove bubbles from your candles, you can use a heat gun, hairdryer, or place them in a roasting tin of very hot water. Using a heat gun or hairdryer will melt the outside of the wax, causing the bubbles to float to the top. However, they may reappear due to fluctuations in temperature. To avoid this, you can place your candles in a roasting tin of very hot water to melt out the bubbles.
Another way to remove bubbles is to let the wax cool, then scrape out the bubbles with a spoon, and reheat the wax. You can also use luster crystals, which will brighten colours and eliminate bubbles on the wax surface.
To harden wax, you can place it in a refrigerator or freezer. If you are in a hurry, you can also try placing it in a cold water bath.
To remelt candles, place the candle in a small pot and then place that pot inside a larger pot filled with water. Bring the water to a simmer. Different types of wax have different melting points, so some waxes may take longer to melt. Once the wax is melted, remove old wicks with tongs and dispose of them. You can also melt candle wax in the oven by preheating it to the lowest temperature setting and placing the jar inside, ensuring that any labels or stickers have been removed.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to harvest your used wax. You need to separate the wax from the containers they are stuck to so you can melt and reshape it.
The best way to melt the wax is to place your candle in a small pot. Place the small pot inside a larger pot filled with water. Bring the water to a simmer.
Once the wax is melted, remove old wicks with tongs and toss them out. Prepare your new candle container with a wick. Place your wick in the centre of your container of choice and then place your pencil/toothpick/popsicle stick across the top and fold the wick over it.
Once the wick is in place, pour the melted wax into your container. Keep a little bit of the wax in the saucepan to use later. It could take from a few minutes up to a few hours for the candle wax to completely harden.
