Easy Candle Upcycle

ByKara Published On:

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How many of you have candles that look like this?

I have an entire shelf of them hidden behind picture frames!

So in an effort to declutter and get a little things organized before we decorate for the holidays I decided to take these ugly things and make brand new layered candles.

This was such an easy project to do.  I can’t believe I never did this before.

All I needed to get were these wicks from Michael’s and one new glass container.  I decided to get a new glass container because it was only $1 and I needed something clean to pour the first candle in.  Then you can start cleaning out the old ones and reusing those glass jars.

Step 1:  Melt your first candle down completely.  I put mine in a pot of boiling water.  It only took about 5 minutes for the candle to turn to liquid.

Step 2:  Place the new candle wick in your clean jar.  I wrapped it around a popsicle stick so it wouldn’t fall over.

Step 3:  Pour melted wax into new jar.  Let cool completely.

Step 4:  Once the first layer of wax was completely hard, I melted the next candle down on the stove and poured it over the first layer.  Repeat with one more layer or until your glass container is full.

Step 5:  Cut the wick.  Burn and enjoy your new candle!!

I tried to combined scents that complimented each other.  One candle has a layer of sparkling vanilla, apple spice and toasted cinnamon spice.  The other one combined my summer scents:  caribbean salsa, strawberry shortcake ad island colada.

Now I’m off to steal I mean collect old candles from my neighbors so I can make more!!

Did I mention how nice your house will smell from melting the wax on the stove?  I hope you have fun creating your own upcycled, layered candles.

197 Comments

  1. I did this (and I am so not crafty) it was soooo easy and came out beautiful!! I took an old white candle and old cinnamon candle melted them together and now have two gorgeous heart-shaped candles for give for Christmas! 🙂 I’m so excited! Thank you so much for spreading your knowledge! Pamela

  4. Great idea! I wish I knew about this a few days ago before I threw a whole bunch of them in the garbage.

  5. Could you please remind your readers to practice fire safety? My roommate was working on a similar project and did not use a double boiler to melt the wax. The result was a fire that landed me in the hospital for three weeks. Use a double boiler! And if a fire erupts, smother it–do not use water!
    Thanks!

  6. I roll pinecones in melted wax and then give them as gift baskets for those who have fireplacess…make great fire starters

  7. I just came across this on Pinterest. So funny because my Hubby & I just did this a week or two ago to use as Christmas gifts!

  9. What a great Idea!! I am a scented candle freak…..Love Love them, how did you get the scent in your wax?

  10. Be VERY careful doing this! We’ve done it since I was a kid, then a couple years ago my mom was doing it and the wax started to smoke. She took it off the stove and didn’t have anywhere to set a hot pot but the sink, so that’s where it went. But when her leaky faucet dripped water into it, it lit on fire!!! There was smoke damage all over in the shape of flames. So word to the wise: watch your melting wax very carefully and don’t let it get too hot, especially with very oily candles such as Yankee.

  11. Chiming in on the “Be Careful” posts: I recently experimented with something similar- the (liquid) wax started smoking from tiny specks of metal that flaked off of the wick holder from an old candle I was melting down. This alone was bad, as it ruined the wax color (purple turned black) and scent (burnt wax… smells terrible!) However, it got much worse when a single drop of water hit the pot of liquid wax as I attempted to fish out the metal flakes, and wax exploded all over my kitchen like a firecracker. For this reason, I recommend cutting the wax off of the wick before placing it in the pot to melt down.

  12. If you love scented wax you have got to try Scentsy! Smells awesome, lasts longer without the fire danger and nasty soot.

  13. Awesome idea! Haha at all the posts begging for new Scentsy customers. Scentsy costs an arm and a leg and isn’t any better than other brands. If you pay attention there is no fire danger and I never have “nasty soot” from my candles or tart warmers.

  14. I make my own candles, but mostly refill empty candle jars for friends and customers. I tell them to melt down their leftovers and pour them into cupcake wrappers to use in their melters… this way they have something nice to smell while they are waiting for me to refill their empties.

  15. I did this about 4 months ago but used my crockpot and sat the candle jars in it with the water halfway up the jar. Took about an hour or two to completely melt.Used a skeewer to fish out old wicks and reset new ones in, then combined complimentary waxes in the jars. Made about 6 “new” candles.be sure to use tongs( canning ones are great for this) or a pot holder to take jars out of water bath.

  16. Thanks for the tip. I will be on the hunt for the wicks. I use the little cup warmer to melt left over candles. What ever is left, I put in an empty votive cup and change scents that way. ALAS! I have too many sitting on a shelf. Now, I have a new project! Thanks! A few less things to dust. 🙂

  17. I just threw a bunch of these jars out in the recycle bin. Saw this post just a little too late 🙁

  19. People use common sense: DON’T DO THIS AT CRAZY HIGH TMPERATURES!! WAX IS FLAMABLE!!

    Research anything before you attemp to do something!

    I don’t like candle warmers, Electrical fires can be just as bad from small appliances! Also, they do break the thin glass of the candle jar.

    Now, to get on with the fun, I made candles last year doing this. I still have supplies & will do again. The only problem I have is the “Tornadoe” (pulling down) when the wax dries on the wick. I have found out, the wax is drying to fast & I have to slow down the pouring of the wax.

    I tried doing my candles like you do yours, but the “Tornadoe” was so bad!! So, I started melting down wax in large Mason Jars. Jars in Hot water (over low to med) (on stove top). Yes, this is slow, but it is the only way, I can do this with out getting the “Tornadoe” Then after melting wax, I pour wax in small jars or candle holders. I had a little candle company going. (not for profit). I tend to go overboard when I get into something. Then everyone started giving me there old jars & candles.

    I am interested to know if you have the same problem &/or, how you avoid this issue.

    Thanks, great blog 😉

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