Learn with CANDO how to reuse your candles, and help save the environment!
If you want to use scent to create a soothing atmosphere in your home, lighting a candle achieves this effortlessly—that is, until your candle burns down to the very last traces of wax.
HOW TO RE-USE THE CANDLE WHEN THERE'S STILL WAX
STEPS TO DO SO
First, melt candles in a small pan set over a large pan of simmering water. (The melting point of different waxes ranges from 100 to 145 degrees.) Once the wax is melted, remove old wicks with tongs and toss them out. Cut a piece of wicking (available at crafts stores) two inches taller than the votive holder. Knot one end and thread through a wick tab (also available at crafts stores); tie the free end around a wooden skewer. Dip wicking and tab into the melted wax to coat them. Remove, then press the tab to the bottom of the holder. Rest the skewer on the votive's rim. Pour melted wax into the votive holder, stopping a half inch below rim. Let stand until it sets, about one hour. To even the well at the center, pour more wax into the center until it's one-fourth inch below the rim.
If you prefer another tactic to salvage wax instead of the melt-and-pour method, you can also try these best practices: "Wax drippings can be removed from most candleholders by running hot water over them," LaVanier says. "Some home care experts prefer removing wax by first placing the candleholder in the freezer for an hour or so. This allows the wax to shrink and easily pop out when the candleholder is removed from the freezer." If you simply want to find new ways to use the remaining wax from candles, you can recycle into different homemade projects. "If that leftover candle end happens to be beeswax, there are all kinds of uses for it. Rub it on a toboggan, a sticky drawer, or wooden window sash to ensure it slides smoothly. Use it to preserve bronze and copper objects, or wax string before sliding beads on it when making a necklace or bracelet," LaVanier shares.