Jessie Taylor
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, but what do you do with the leftover wax at the end? There are many ways to reuse old candle wax, from melting it down to make new candles or wax melts, to using it as a fire starter or even as a way to scent your drawers. You can even make your own DIY tealights with leftover wax, an empty tealight cup, and a small tealight wick. So, before you throw away that old candle, consider some of these upcycling ideas to get the most out of your purchase.
What to do with leftover candle wax
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reuse wax to make candles | Melt the wax and pour it into a mold with a wick to create a new candle |
| Make wax melts | Heat the leftover wax, allow it to cool, then place it in the freezer. Once it's shrunk, pop it out of the mold and use it as a wax melt |
| Create scented fire starters | Pour melted wax into paper baking cups with a cotton wick and your choice of shredded paper, cotton balls, twigs, wood shavings, pine cones, or spices |
| Make balms or seal things | Natural wax can be used to create balms or for sealing |
| Polish wood | Blend fragranced wax with oil and use it to polish wood |
| Make drawers smell nice | Put leftover fragranced wax in drawers to make them smell nice |
| Use as a candle warmer | Place leftover wax in a wax melter to release fragrance |
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What You'll Learn
Make new candles
Making new candles from old ones is an easy and eco-friendly way to upcycle your old candle wax. Here is a step-by-step guide to making new candles:
Step 1: Collect Old Candles
Gather old candles that you want to repurpose. You can also buy cheap candles from thrift stores or ask your friends for their old candles.
Step 2: Melt the Wax
Place the old candles in a shallow pot or pan and boil some water to melt the wax. You can also use a crockpot or a solar oven to melt the wax. If you are using a gas stove, be cautious and clean any spilled wax to prevent fires.
Step 3: Prepare the Container
While the wax is melting, prepare your container. You can reuse old candle jars or use thick glass containers such as Mason jars, punch bowls, or even fancy teacups. Place a pencil or a chopstick across the container and secure the wick to it with tape. The wick should be in the middle of the container, draped over the pencil.
Step 4: Pour the Wax
Once the wax is completely melted, carefully pour it into your prepared container. Be cautious as the wax will be hot. Leave a small amount of wax in the saucepan to use later.
Step 5: Fill the Dip
After the wax has hardened, you will notice a dip around the wick. Melt the leftover wax you had kept aside and pour it into this dip.
Step 6: Let it Harden
Allow the wax to completely harden. Depending on your container, you can light the candle directly in it or slip the candle out.
Tips:
- If you are using scented wax from multiple sources, consider how the fragrances will blend.
- You can experiment with natural dyes from herbs, spices, flowers, and fruits to add colour to your candles.
- Choose the right wick for your candle by considering the container diameter, wax type, fragrance, colour load, and burn time.
- You can also try making eco-friendly soy or beeswax candles.
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Make wax melts
Making wax melts from old candles is a great way to recycle and save money. It is a simple process, but you must take precautions when working with hot wax. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own wax melts:
Prepare your materials
You will need a mostly burnt-out candle, a heatproof container such as a glass or metal jar, a pot of water, a stove or hot plate, oven mitts or gloves, a tea towel, and a silicone mould or tray.
Melt the wax
Place your candle in the heatproof container and put the container in a pot of simmering water on the stove. You can also use a microwave, but be aware that many candles have metal at the base of the wick, which could damage your microwave. Keep the heat low and let the wax melt slowly. Do not leave unattended.
Prepare the mould
While the wax is melting, prepare your mould. Place it on a paper towel, cardboard box, or sheet pan to catch any spills. If using a silicone mould, no additional preparation is needed. If using an egg carton or ice cube tray, line it with foil first to prevent the wax from leaking through.
Pour and cool
Once the wax is fully melted, carefully remove the container from the pot using oven mitts or gloves. Be very careful, as the container will be hot. Pour the melted wax into your chosen mould, filling it almost to the top. Allow the wax to cool and harden. You can place it in the refrigerator or freezer to speed up this process.
Remove and store
Once the wax is completely cool, pop the wax melts out of the mould. Store them in a sealed bag or container, such as a mason jar.
Now you can enjoy your homemade wax melts! Experiment with different candle scents and mould shapes to create unique and personalised melts.
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Make fire starters
If you're looking to make fire starters with leftover candle wax, there are several methods you can try. Here are some detailed instructions:
Method 1: Using an Egg Carton
- Cut up a cardboard egg carton so that each egg cup is separate.
- Melt the remnants of your old candles in a pot on the stove. Be sure to remove the wicks and any metal casings first.
- Collect dryer lint and roll them into small wicks. You can also use wood shavings or sawdust instead of lint.
- Carefully pour the melted wax into each egg cup. It's recommended to do this outside as the hot wax can produce a strong smell.
- Allow the wax to cool until it's partially hardened.
- Place a lint wick into each egg cup. The partially cooled wax should hold the wick upright.
- Once the wax is completely cool, pack your fire starters into ziplock bags for storage.
Method 2: Using Muffin Liners and Tin
- Place paper muffin liners into a muffin tin.
- Add your choice of combustible materials such as rosemary, cinnamon sticks, paper towel strips, small pine cones, twigs, dried herbs, or spices. You can also use leftover paper towels used for wax and fragrance oil cleanup during candle-making.
- Reheat your leftover wax to 150°F (65.6°C) and carefully pour it into the muffin liners, leaving a small portion of the paper towel strips sticking out.
- Allow the wax to cool and harden before removing the fire starters from the muffin tin.
Method 3: Cotton Balls and Vaseline
If you don't have leftover wax, you can also make fire starters with cotton balls and vaseline:
- Take a cotton ball and mush it together with a small amount of vaseline.
- Store your vaseline-infused cotton balls in a ziplock bag.
- When ready to use, these will burn for a sufficient amount of time to get a fire going.
Remember to always exercise caution when handling fire, and ensure you have the necessary permits and take proper safety precautions when starting a fire outdoors.
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Make scented sachets
Making scented sachets is a great way to reuse leftover candle wax and add fragrance to small spaces like closets, drawers, or bathrooms. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating your own scented wax sachets:
Preparing the Wax
Start by melting the leftover wax from your candle. You can do this by placing the candle in a small pot and then placing that pot inside a larger pot filled with simmering water. Different types of wax have different melting points, so adjust the temperature accordingly. Once the wax is melted, use tongs to remove any old wicks and discard them. If you're combining wax from multiple candles, ensure they are all the same type of wax, and be mindful of creating a pleasant combination of aromas.
Creating the Sachet
Wipe a silicone mold with isopropyl alcohol and a clean paper towel to prepare it for use. Weigh your wax using a digital scale and a pouring pitcher. The amount of wax needed will depend on the size of your mold. Melt the wax in a double boiler. You can add fragrance or essential oils to the melted wax at this point if desired.
Decorating the Sachet
Decorate the surface of the wax with dried flowers, herbs, or other botanicals. Press these decorations into the wax gently. You can also add visual interest by including dried spices or cedar shavings. Allow the wax to harden completely.
Finishing Touches
Once the wax has hardened, remove it from the mold. You can then add a ribbon or twine to your sachet to complete the look and provide a way to hang the sachet if desired. These scented sachets make great gifts and can be used to add a touch of fragrance to various spaces in your home.
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Make balms or seal things
Make balms
Lip balm is one of the most popular balms that can be made from candle wax. To make lip balm, you can use candle wax, sweet almond oil, and mint flavoring. Vitamin E can be added as a natural preservative. Kool-Aid can also be added to tint the balm and improve the taste.
Beeswax can also be used to make lip balm.
Seal things
Leftover candle wax can be used to seal letters and envelopes. This can be done by melting the wax and pouring it onto the envelope where the seal will go. Special wax seal candles are available for this purpose, but regular candle wax can also be used in a pinch. However, regular candle wax may not have the right consistency for a seal and may spill or seep into the paper.
To create a seal with wax, light the wick of the wax stick and hold it vertically until the wax around the base of the wick starts to melt. Then, hold the stick at a slight angle and let the melting wax pool onto the desired area. Once the wax has cooled, use a seal stamp to create the seal. Alternatively, a hot glue gun can be used to melt the wax without a flame, which is a cheaper and faster option.
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Frequently asked questions
You can melt the wax and pour it into small moulds to make wax melts, scented fire starters, or small DIY tealights.
You can melt the wax by boiling water and pouring it into the jar until it’s a little more than halfway full. The wax will rise and harden as it cools down. You can then melt the wax again and pour it into moulds.
You can use any small moulds, such as ice cube trays, silicone moulds, or even an ice cube tray.
