In the world of candles, we’ve all been there—the wick runs out of wax before you’ve finished the entire jar, and you’re left with an unusable clump. While tossing away the gorgeous glass jars of your favorite scented candles may seem wasteful if you burn through them at a rapid pace, burning a candle past the half-inch wax limit can damage both the container and the surface it is sitting on.

But don’t worry, that wax-coated container can be given new life. For the sake of repurposing your candle jars, we’ve put up a list of practical cleaning techniques. Isn’t it the best? Basically, you don’t need any additional equipment. Dish soap can be used to remove any remaining candle marks, leaving you with a clean jar suitable for repurposing.

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Microwave

A minute and a half to two minutes in the microwave should do the trick. The wax will melt and rise to the surface. Allow the glass and wax to cool, then use a spoon or butter knife to quickly remove the leftover wax. The metal wick holder on some wicks can catch fire in the microwave, so be sure to keep an eye on your candle while it’s cooking.

Here’s a video with a satisfying demonstration.

Freezer

Most straightforward and least messy, but only works when there isn’t a lot of leftover wax (about an inch and a half). Freezing wax causes it to constrict, which makes it easier to remove from the container. To remove the wax, just turn the candle upside down and scrape it off with a spoon or butter knife after it has been frozen overnight.

Boiling water

This approach is best suited for candles with a large diameter. It’s time to let your candle cool down by adding boiling water to the top, leaving an inch of room. The surface on which you place your candle should be protected since it will be quite hot.) Similar to the microwave process, but at a slower pace, you’ll observe the wax climb to the top of the pot. Make sure you don’t pour any wax down your drain as this might cause clogs. Strain the water and remove the wax separately.

Double boiler

The microwave may be too strong for softer candles like soy and coconut, so you’ll want to use a double boiler instead (think of it like the bain-marie of candles). In a large, empty pot or bowl, pour the hot water around the candle and let it cool. You may easily remove the wax with a knife by softening the wax around the edges.

Oven

If you’re working with a large number of candles at once, this is a fantastic option. Starting at 150 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, preheat your oven. Lay out a baking pan with aluminum foil and place your candle(s) on top of it. Observe the oven for any waxy catastrophes, but if everything goes according to plan, the wax should gradually melt and collect on the foil within 15 minutes. Using an oven mitt, carefully remove the pan from the oven and remove the glasses from the pan. The wax can be removed from the aluminum foil and stored for future use, or it can be thrown away.

Heat gun

If you own a heat gun, consider yourself an accomplished do-it-yourselfer who doesn’t require any further instruction. It’s also worth noting that a heat gun (or hairdryer) can be used to melt the wax in a candle. Take care to avoid burning the tag and ensure that the candle is placed on a heat-resistant surface before lighting it. The wax can be removed using a paper towel once it has dissolved.

9 Ways To Re-Use Your Scented Candle Wax

To get rid of your old scented candle wax, what should you do with it once the wick has been extinguished? To help you get the most out of our scented candles after they’ve been used, we’ve put together some ideas.

Here’s our guide on what to do with left over candle wax:

1. Make a totally new candle of your own!
2. Squeaky doors and drawers can be fixed by using lubricant.
3. Start a fire.
4. Your home should be scented to the last drop.
5. It’s a good cheap wax for skating.
6. Glue the ends of shoelaces together to prevent them from fraying.
7. Add a personal touch to the end of your letters.
8. Use candle wax ornaments to adorn your mantelpiece.
9. Make a one-of-a-kind item out of it!

Read on if you’d like!

1. Up-cycle…Make a new, unique candle

It’s simple… A candle mold, like a mug, can be used to make your own wick, which should be hung at an angle over the mold so that it extends to the bottom. Afterwards, gather your old scented candle wax and melt it together before pouring it into the mold and allowing it to cool for around six hours so that it hardens.

2. Fix that sticking draw

The drawer that’s been bothering you for a long time can finally be fixed. Try smearing some wax on the wood where it slides. Drawers move so smoothly after this that you’ll be surprised.

3. Make some fire starters

Get your hands on a lighter. Make some fire starters out of your old candle wax. There are several ways to construct a long-burning fire starter out of an egg carton and some lint. Wax and lint burn more quickly with the cardboard in the carton.

4. Leave a pleasant lingering aroma in your room

Put your left over wax in a heavy glass jar, and then place on a radiator. The room fills with a beautiful scent as the wax melts.

5. Easy skating

A big glass jar on top of a radiator can do wonders for any leftover wax. There is a pleasant scent released into the air when the wax melts.

6. Fix your shoelaces

To restore the new appearance of your shoes, you may be tempted to buy new shoelaces when the ends of your current ones begin to fray. However, there is a third option… Shoelaces can be repaired by rolling them between your fingers while dropping hot wax on the ends.

7. Seal your letters the old fashioned way

By pressing hot scented candle wax on paper, you may give the art of letter writing a personal touch. Wedding invitations can also benefit from this technique, which adds a touch of sophistication.

8. Scented candle wax ornaments

You and your family can have a lot of fun decorating your home for important events by making wax decorations. Easy, unusual activity that will become a family heirloom.

9. Get creative

Last but not least, if you’re creative and enjoy arts and crafts, you can repurpose the fragrant candle wax.

How To Reuse Wax Melts and Old Candle Wax?

You’re not the only one who like wax melts and scented candles. Global sales of wax melts reached $2.02 billion in 2015 and are expected to rise in the future. After a few uses with your scented wax melts, you’ll be left with odorless wax. Don’t get rid of them! Wax melts can be reused and repurposed in a variety of ways.

Candles that contain wax melts are far more affordable than those that do not. Reusing wax is possible no matter what method you choose to use, whether it’s melting, cubes, tarts, or cubes of wax.

Keep the candle stubs if you’re a candle fanatic. Candle wax and wax melts can be used in the following ways.

Make this post your go-to guide if you don’t like the concept of chucking out perfectly nice candle wax or if you’re just feeling creative. Gather up your used wax lumps and put them in a bag or container.

Let’s get this done, shall we?

How many times can you reuse wax melts?

About 8 hours of scent can be achieved with two or three wax melts, according to Happy Wax’s recommendations. There are a wide range of burn times for different brands, but most fall in the 6-8 hour range. Many users have found that they can utilize the same wax melts numerous times before the aroma begins to fade.

It’s possible to use wax melts longer before the aroma fades. Only the aroma of warmed wax evaporates, not the wax itself. Wax melters often come with a handy bowl or plate for collecting and scraping out spent wax melt.

One of the easiest ways to recycle wax melts is to keep using them over and over. Another time.

Types of wax melts

Beeswax, soy wax, and paraffin wax are the most popular materials used to create wax melts and wax candles. In order to get the greatest results while making new wax melts or candles, you may want to group the similar elements together before doing so.

It doesn’t matter as much for other reasons, such as doing arts and crafts.

How to melt candle wax to reuse

If your wax candle is nearly finished, you can save the remaining wick wax for future use.

To get rid of old candle wax, try one of these three methods:

1. Method of melting
2. The procedure of freezing
3. The approach involving hot water

The melting method

You’ll need to:

• a two-burner stove (or large and small heat-safe pans)
• Water
• Tongs
• Melted wax can be stored in these containers (glass jars, ice cube trays, or molds)

All candle ends should be placed in a small pan using a double boiler (or equivalent). Simmering water in a larger pan serves as a heat source for this pan. Wait a few minutes with the candle ends. Between 100 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit is the melting point for the majority of waxes (38-63 degrees Celsius). Use tongs to remove the old wicks and throw them away.

You can store the wax in ice cube trays or larger glass jars if you choose.

A wax warmer or microwave can also be used to melt wax, but a double boiler is preferable for bigger volumes.

The freezing method

When you have a candleholder that is covered in wax, it can be difficult to remove. Place the object in the freezer for about an hour to make it easier to remove old wax. When the wax freezes, it compresses, making it easier to remove.

The boiling water method

To remove most wax, simply place it in a bowl of hot (not boiling) water. Candleholders come in all shapes and sizes, but some are more delicate than others. As a general rule, you should avoid using hot or boiling water to clean candles.

How to reuse wax melts and old candle wax 16 ways

Keep your remaining wax. It’s amazing how many things you can do with leftover wax around the house.

1) Make new wax melts

You may use old wax melts to make new wax melts in a matter of minutes!

Collect used wax melts from your wax melter once the aroma has faded.

There are a few steps you must take when you’ve gathered a substantial volume of honeycomb wax: (see The Melting Method above). Add a few drops of essential oils to the mixture. In ice cube or silicone molds, pour the heated wax. Freeze for a few minutes to make sure it’s solid. Your wax melts are ready to be repurposed!

2) Egg carton firestarters

The notion of manufacturing fire starters appeals to me because we have an outside fire pit and an indoor wood-burning fireplace. A paper egg carton, dryer lint, and old wax are all you need to make these firestarters, according to Jill Cataldo’s instructable. Pour hot wax into each egg holder after collecting dryer lint (a combustible component).

Take a small section of the egg carton and pull it open, and voila, you’ve got a flame.

3) Pine cone firestarters

This pine cone firestarter is more visually appealing than the egg carton firestarter, which is more functional. On our indoor hearth, I’d want to add a few wax-covered pine cones for decoration.

Foraged pine cones, twine, and old wax are all it takes to construct these stunning necklaces, as demonstrated by The Tough Nickel.

4) Make a new wax candle

You may easily make your own candle by using a fresh wick, old wax, and a glass container.

Here’s a tutorial for producing multicolored stacked candles if you’re feeling ambitious.

5) Make drawers slide smoothly

We’ve all had a drawer that’s a pain to open because it squeaks or just won’t budge. Remove the noisy old drawer and massage the wax around the bottom of the drawer with an old paraffin candle. Open and close the drawer a number of times to evenly distribute the wax.

6) Slip and slide

If your sled doesn’t slide well, tobogganing is a waste of time. Rub the bottom of your sled with an old beeswax candle to make it slide more quickly. Keep your chins up!

7) Preserve bronze or copper

A person’s perception of what constitutes attractiveness is entirely subjective. There are those who despise the natural greening of bronze or copper, while there are others who find it a beautiful feature. Gather your old beeswax candles, regardless matter whether you like or dislike the look of “green” products.

Use 13 pound (454 grams) of beeswax and 1 quart (4 cups) of turpentine to prevent corrosion. Apply and rub your prized possessions using a gentle cloth.

Beeswax can be used to preserve the patina on naturally green copper or bronze artifacts without the need for turpentine.

8) Easy beading

The next time you decide to construct a beaded necklace or bracelet, make it easier on yourself. Beads will slide more easily onto your handmade item if you wipe some old wax along a string.

9) Make snow glide off your shovel

Shoveling snow is difficult enough without having to contend with snow that sticks to your shovel. Rub an old wax candle or wax melt on your shovel the next time you shovel the paths for a stick-proof covering.

10) Sign your letters with a wax seal

How delightful and authentic is it to sign and seal your correspondence with your own wax imprint? Craft stores sell wax seals that can be used to personalize letters. Use your wax seal to push a dab of hot wax onto your paper. Signing and sealing your letter is now complete.

11) Unstick zippers

A zipper that doesn’t work is a great pain. Rub some old wax on the zipper’s teeth to clean them up. To lubricate the zipper, run it up and down multiple times.

12) Seal cracks in your home

While actual caulking is preferable than old beeswax if you’re short on time, it can be used in a rush.

13) Wax art

Decorate glass jars and vases with melted wax by drizzling it over used wax.

Alternatively, you can create your own melted wax artworks. See how to make a wax canvas art piece with this Instructables tutorial.

14) Stop shoelaces from fraying

Shoelaces that are fraying can be made to last longer by putting the ends in hot wax. Bonus: threading your shoelaces is now a breeze. If you have a pair of ice skates, this would be fantastic!

15) Patch up wood dents

We all have our own preferences when it comes to shabby chic or rustic furniture, but it’s not for everyone. A wax melt or candle can be used to fill up dents and scratches on wooden furniture. Using a furniture marker, no one will know what you did.

16) Waterproof paper

My only regret is that I didn’t find out about this excellent exploit sooner. Papers can be waterproofed and protected by applying a layer of wax. Now that my recipe cards are covered with food stains, I suppose I should rewrite them and waterproof them.

Conclusion

Isn’t it wonderful to unwind in your own home while inhaling the sweet scent of fresh flowers? This instruction, on the other hand, will show you how to remove excess candle wax. The good news is that cleaning up old candle jars is a snap when you follow a few simple guidelines.