How To Make A Candle From Old Candles? A Few Tips to Remember

From parties to intimate dinners, candlelight quickly provides a stunning and distinctive touch. But, once the candles are out, and the smoke has cleared, what do you do with the pools of melted wax? You could consider relegating these worthless lumps to the trash can or learning how to make a candle from old candles.

From celebrations to intimate meals, candlelight quickly provides a stunning and distinct touch.. But what do you do with the melted wax when the candles have been extinguished and the haze has cleared? You have the option of tossing these worthless lumps in the garbage or learning how to recycle old candles into new ones.

This is a great way to save money on new candles by reusing old ones. You don’t have to spend money on new components if you have old candles lying around the house. By repurposing candle wax rather of tossing it away, you can also benefit the environment.

Make sure you have enough old wax or candle pieces on hand before you start recycling your old candles. Also required is a melting device for the wax. Many candlemakers use a double boiler or two old saucepans that can be fashioned into a double boiler as melting equipment.

Most craft and hobby stores will also carry pre-waxed wicks. Continue reading to learn how to repurpose leftover candle wax into a fresh new candle using only a few common household items. In other words, how can you upcycle an old candle into a votive?

How to Make Candles Out of Old Candles

Old candles can be recycled and saved money by making new candles from the melted ends and scraps. Learn how to repurpose leftover wax into a candle that looks just as good as one you bought at the store.

Sorting the Wax Pieces

Prior to starting the melting and pouring process, you should take some time thinking about the look you want your candle to have, and then sorting the available wax in accordance

Candle Colors

Sorting your wax by color is a good idea unless you’re trying for a dirty, unexpected shade of brown. It’s possible to mix white wax with other colors, but keep in mind that it will lessen the finished shade.

There are some colors that work well together, such as a combination of tones of green and blue, or reds and pinks that complement each other. In general, it’s recommended to avoid mixing colors that are too similar for the greatest results.

When it comes to black candles, you never know what to expect. In certain cases, they can be used to darken the color of your candle, while in others, they can entirely alter the color. If you aren’t afraid to try new things, you can use them liberally.

Scented or Unscented

It may be difficult to blend two scented waxes into one candle if the waxes have different scents. There is a risk of the total impression becoming overbearing and unattractive. You can use unscented candle wax or a combination of scents.

Type of Wax

When combining antique candle pieces, the final consideration is the sort of wax each candle was created from. various varieties of candle wax are available, such as:

• Paraffin
• Beeswax
• The wax made from soy beans
• Wax that hardens into a gel

Because each wax has a distinct melting point, mixing them might be a bit of a challenge. If you’re not an expert candle maker who knows how to mix waxes, don’t use gel wax with the others.

Paraffin is the primary ingredient in most commercially available candles, including bulk tapers and containers. If you’re unsure about a candle’s ingredients, consult the manufacturer’s website.

How to Make a Candle from Old Wax

A tiered container candle may be the greatest way to use up outdated candle components. You don’t need any specialized tools, and the finished candle can incorporate all the hues of the spectrum.

You can modify the directions for constructing a simple container candle to make a layered version instead.

Supplies Needed

• Cutting board
• chopping block
• Coffee cans, one for each color of wax to be used, all clean and emptied
• Thermometer for candy
• Spoons
• wicks with a cotton core and tabs
• It’s everything in the open (such as a mason jar, old candle container, or a cocktail glass)
• Scissors
• Tongs or mitts for the oven

Making the Candle

1. Chop the candle bits with a sharp knife and a chopping board. Remove and discard any burned and unused candle wick that you find.
2. Each color should be placed in a separate coffee can, with a small amount of chopped wax added to each.
3. Simmer the water in the pan for a few minutes until it reaches a low boil.
4. Place the coffee can into the simmering water and select the color of wax you wish to use for the first layer. As the wax melts, stir it to remove any charred bits or old wicks that may rise to the top.
5. Using a candy thermometer, monitor the wax’s temperature. 165 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the pouring temperature.
6. Dip the cotton core wick tab into the melted wax and place it on the wick. Make sure the tab is centered in your candle holder before lighting it up for the night.
7. Replacing the coffee can with the can containing your next layer of wax requires using oven mitts or tongs. To get the desired thickness of wax, carefully pour it into your chosen container after it has melted.
8. When the wax reaches 165 degrees, pour each layer and wipe the thermometer between colors. Reheating the wax in the coffee can allows you to use the same hue multiple times.
9. Keep a small amount of wax in the last color poured when the container is nearly full. Allow the candle to cool and solidify for at least an hour after lighting it.
10. You’ll notice a slight depression around the wick when an hour has passed. Fill in this divot with the remaining wax from the last color poured.
11. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before lighting the candle for the first time.

Making Other Types of Candles

Any type of candle can be made from stubs and scraps of wax. The quality of the wax in fancy molds and other advanced techniques cannot be guaranteed unless the original candles were manufactured by you.

wax may be used to make entertaining projects such as:

• Tea lights and votive candles are ideal for when you just have a tiny amount of wax to work with.
• Unique, eye-catching candles can be made from wax scraps and pre-purchased chunks.

Don’t Throw Away Those Stubs

In an airtight container or zippered freezer bag, save your candle stubs, old dinged up candles, and scrapings from the bottom of container candles. It’s time to get creative when you have enough to construct a new candle!

Is it less expensive to create your candles?

A great approach to save money on candles is to recycle outdated ones. Instead than purchasing new materials, you can repurpose what you already have. Candles, glassware, and dishes can all be included in this category.

Tips on How To Make A Candle From Old Candles

It’s possible to build a multi-layered candle out of an old punch bowl. You’ll have a multicolored candle when the wax has set completely and been removed from the punch bowl. Is there anything you can’t do with a bunch of dried flowers?

Small votive candles can be made depending on the size of your container. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the size of the candles available. Make a variety of different sized and shaped candles to see what works best.

Save Money by Making New Candles From Old Wax

Tips on Color, Scent, and Consistency

• Much of the wax I use to make candles comes from scented candles that have been preserved and put away. I like to add firm candle stubs to these candles because the wax is generally quite soft. You can use softer wax if you make your candle in a jar or other solid container.
• Choosing colors that will blend well with each other is important because you’ll be using wax from a variety of candles. You could end up with a muddy, murky, unappealing mixture if you mix hues that are opposite each other on the color wheel.
• The color brown goes nicely with orange and red, according to my personal opinion. Greens and blues, as well as yellows and oranges, blend well together. It is possible to achieve a peachy color by combining pink with yellow or orange. You may brighten up other hues by adding white wax to the mix.
• Mixing smells that don’t go together is a bad idea. Aromatic concoctions can be created by mixing aromas that are similar or that work well together. When Yankee Candles are blended with other scented candle waxes, its perfume tends to overwhelm the other scents.
• Scents can evoke a wide range of emotions and thoughts depending on how they are used. Aroma therapy is the practice of employing scents to induce feelings of relaxation or euphoria.

Materials Needed

• It is a two-tiered pot used to heat the material in the top tier by heating water in the bottom layer. A double boiler
• Glass jars should be made of thick, strong glass. It’s best to use jelly or jam jars, which can withstand the heat of a candle without splitting. Add wax only to thoroughly cleaned and debris-free containers.
• A craft store or internet retailer can supply you with wicking and wick anchors.

Steps for Recycling Wax Into New Candles

1. Get rid of old wicks and paper from the candles you’ve used up. Scrape out any remaining wax from a container candle with a butter knife or other suitable tool.
2. If your wax chunks are particularly huge, it’s a good idea to cut them up. In order to provide a smooth melting process, this is necessary.
3. Set your double boiler on a stove fire and add water to the lowest tier.
4. Make sure to keep an eye on your wax pieces as they melt in the double boiler.
5. Dip your wick in the melted wax to get it ready for use. When you’re ready to put it in the jar or glass, let it harden first. Priming improves the evenness of a wick’s burn.
6. Pass some of your primed wick through the anchor’s center-hole wicking system. Keep the wicking in place for as long as possible. You may always trim it down afterwards.
7. In the middle of the bottom of the jar, add a small amount of melted wax. Pointy side down, press the metal anchor into the wax once it has hardened. The metal prongs should grab the wick if you smash it.
8. Pour more melted wax into the container, saving a portion of it.
9. Straight up from its anchor, make sure that the wick is facing upwards. Using a pencil, you may maintain the wick straight by wrapping it around its middle and placing it horizontally on the top edge of the glass.
10. Around the wick, a depression will form as the wax hardens. Fill it in using the wax that was set aside. It’s possible that you’ll have to remelt your wax.
11. Unroll the wick from the pencil and cut it to about 1/4 inch above the candle’s top when the jar is filled and the wax has hardened.
12. Never flush melted wax down the drain after a spill clean-up session. Never. If you have a surplus of wax, you can conserve it for your next candle by allowing it to harden. Repeatedly fill the top tier of your double boiler with boiling water to clean it.
13. Enjoy your own home-made scented candle! ‘

FAQs

What can I do with old candles?

Make firestarters using the melted wax that’s left over from your old candles. Using a repurposed egg carton, fill each cup with dryer lint, and carefully pour molten wax into each one. DIY fire starters can be tossed into a bundle of wood for a roaring fire when the wax sets and hardens overnight.

How can I reuse a candle without a wick?

As the wax melts, the water bubbles to the top, making the candles look like they’ve been lit from the inside out. This is an easy and gorgeous hack. Once the wax has cooled back down, you can just apply pressure and see it pop out, which you can then reuse in any way you see fit.

How do you make candles from scrap wax?

The wax can be reused by melting it and pouring it into new molds instead of being thrown away. The wax can be used to make pillars and tea lights, or you can put it in an old glass jar and light it. When you recycle outdated candles, you don’t have to worry about throwing them away.

Can old candles be melted and reused into new candles?

Yes, that’s the simplest response. Once the leftover wax has been melted and poured into a smaller votive, you have a brand new candle in your hands. Beeswax, paraffin, or soy wax should all be used in the same proportions. With tongs, remove the old wicks and dispose of them when the wax has melted.

How do you melt old candles in a glass jar?

Using a butter knife or spoon, remove as much of the wax as possible. Tinfoil or parchment paper can be used to line a rimmed baking pan in the oven. Set the pan in the oven with the candles upside down. About 15 minutes later, the wax will be completely melted.

Can you microwave candle wax?

The microwave is another option for melting wax. To speed up the process of melting the wax, some individuals use this approach instead of a double boiler. Fill a microwave-safe jar halfway with your wax. In 2-minute intervals, heat your wax to a molten state.

How do you reuse candle wax in water?

Put boiling water on top of the wax and you’re done. The wax will melt and rise to the surface of the water, where it will solidify due to the action of heat. Applying pressure once it’s cooled will allow you to remove it.

Can you use a toothpick as a candle wick?

All you need is a candle and a pair of pliers to make your own wick out of an old toothpick. … Because the shorter wick doesn’t produce a brilliant flame, using a toothpick will allow the candle to burn more efficiently. The molten wax coats the toothpick and makes it burn brighter as it melts.

How do you make a homemade candle wick?

Using three strands of cotton thread, cut a length that is at least eight inches longer than the height of the candle holder. The braided string’s bottom should be fed via a wick tab. Pin the top of the wick tab with pliers and secure the string. In order to use the wick, the cotton must be pre-soaked.

What can I use to replace candle wick?

As a workaround, Jones suggests using twine or even tightly rolled up newspaper in place of the wick. You can use an apple corer gadget to loosen the old wick by twisting it first and then wriggling it around with the corer, she advises.

Can you use string as a candle wick?

You can use oil or salt to make your own candle wicks, but ordinary cotton string works just as well. Using cotton string candle wicks, you get a long-lasting burn with no soot. By the way, you may make homemade candles and oil lamps with DIY candle wicks.

Can you use tea lights to make candles?

As a beginner, tealight candles are an excellent starting point. Simple to make, they’re perfect for every season, and they lend a soft glow to any room or event. Depending on how many tealights you want to manufacture, you can change the amount of supplies you need.

Conclusion

Remaining wax should not be disposed of just yet. Making a candle from an old candle can be done in a variety of ways. Simply follow these instructions and you’ll be on your way.

Owning a candle that you made yourself is quite special. You can give it a whirl yourself or give it to a loved one. Using it will also save you money, so give it a shot.