If you are anything like me (hopelessly addicted to chocolate chip cookies), you hate to see things go to waste. I try to recycle, reuse, and repurpose.
So when burning a candle, is there a way to repurpose the leftover wax or reuse that mason jar? If you want to try your hand at making a new candle you are going to need to follow a few basics steps.
To start, you will need to need to melt your leftover and old wax pieces together. For optimal results you will want to make sure the wax your merging together is of similar scent and color.
No one really wants to smell a candle the color of a mud puddle with a hybrid scent of fresh rain and cinnamon rolls.
Another positive to merging candles is that it helps the environment by keeping the wax out of the trash, and it’s also cost effective for you, (yay extra candles).
You can repurpose the old dishes and jars into a new vessel to hold your newly blended candle in.
Leftover candles
If you are obsessed with candles, there are plenty of ways to keep them “burning” long after the wax has melted away.
But first, in order to reuse the wax or repurpose the jar, you are going to need to remove the leftover wax from the bottom of its jar. Ways to do this include:
- Freezing: Pop your candle with the leftover wax in your freezer. (Around an hour). Once frozen you can carefully stab the wax with a knife, and it should be easy to remove in frozen chunks.
- Submerging: Put your candle jar in a dish, and fill that dish or bowl with boiling hot water. ***You should take extreme caution when using hot water.*** Once the water almost reaches the top of your candle stop pouring, and the hot water bath will cause the wax to melt. Once it loosens enough from the heat carefully scoop it out.
- Boiling water: Another method using boiling water is to pour the piping H2O on the candle inside its jar. But before this step, cut slits into the top of the candle so it’s easier for the hot water to get in. Pour until the water almost reaches the top and allow it to sit for around an hour. This will cause the wax to soften and rise to the top, allowing you to scoop it out as hardenn when the water cools down. Important: Please practice extreme caution when choosing this method. The water is extremely hot, and depending on the thickness of your jar (thin glass jars are a no), the hot water will cause the jar to shatter from the heat.
Leftover candle vessels can also be useful, have you seen Pinterest? Uses for leftover candle jars are creative, mindful, and the possibilities are endless.
Some ways that you can reuse candle jars include: Using them as planters for “cute” little plants like cactus and other succulent type greenery.
If you love the DIY vibe, (Thank you Chip, Joanna Gaines and HGTV) you can reuse them to house your office supplies, makeup brushes or odds and ends you find when doing laundry.
If your newly emptied candle jar or vase is big enough, you can always fill it with water and place a few floating candles in it for a second chance candle holder.
Recycle Candles
Feeling inspired? There are plenty of other ways to recycle your candles. One way to recycle your candle is to melt the left over wax down and mix it with citronella oil.
Adding in the citronella oil instantly turns old wax into a crafty new insect repellent. To do this you should add around 10 drops of the oil for every cup of wax. Let this new bug repellent candle harden around 4-5 hours, and you are good to “glow”.
If you love the look of wax seals (or all things Shakespeare), you can easily make one of your own. Take your melted wax, and drop a dollop on the back of your envelope and seal it with your chosen stamp.
Who says the phone bill has to be mailed in a plain white envelope? To make your candle the gift that keeps on giving, put the leftover fragrant wax (after removed from its original container) onto a candle warmer.
This allows you to bask in the scent without the hassle of a wick. For even sized wax melts you can put melted wax into ice cube trays and allow them to harden in the freezer. You can then pop out an ice cube and place it directly on the warmer.
For some home hacks, left over wax can be exceptionally useful. For one, you can use leftover wax to help rid old drawers of that all familiar squeak, or help loosen a drawer that is constantly getting stuck.
Simply rub the wax on the problem areas, and your drawer will glide beautifully again, and return to its silent nature.
If you’re the philanthropic type you’ll be pleased to know that the St. Vincent de Paul society of Lane County, in Eugene Oregon made a pact to see less candle wax go into the trash.
Once this organization collected all the excess wax they could find, they melted it all down and combined it with (also recycled) cotton. This in return made a fire starter called EcoPit and was sold to restaurants and campers alike who have outdoor fire pits.
For safety The National Candle Association suggests no longer using a jar candle when there is a half an inch layer of wax at the bottom, and to stop burning all other types of candles when there is 2 inches left. You can prevent fires this way and create new scents by using the leftover wax as a new melt for your warmer.
But, if you honestly aren’t in the mood to learn how to turn your candle jar into a rustic dream, or repurpose your wax into a household tool, most jars can be recycled.
It’s important to clear out old wax beforehand, and place the old wax in your trash receptacle. But may I suggest customs candle scents? You never know what you may be smelling later, it could be roses.