Easy Candle Upcycle
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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.
Did you use a double boiler? Sounds like you didn’t, which you’re supposed to when melting wax. ALWAYS use a double boiler & NEVER leave it unattended!! Also, NEVER pour water on wax, it will explode- cover or use an extinguisher.
tip: use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball/pad to get rid of the black “smoke” residue on glass so they are sparkling “new” when you put in your new wick & recycled wax
These are great.. thanks for posting
Hahahahaha, just because you’re a dumbass doesn’t mean other people are too. In other words, STFU MIKKI!
I have so many jars of half burnt candles lying around! Hubby will be so pleased to see them all combined like this. The tip from Anonymous about rubbing the residue away with alcohol really works too! =]
Hi there, I just wanted to let you know that I LOVED this idea and followed it! I published my experience on my own blog. Thanks so much for such a wonderful idea 🙂
http://amandaverse.wordpress.com/2012/10/06/how-to-franken-candles/
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I melt them down in a pot of boiling water, just as you did. Then I take a cheap $1.00 ice cube tray (I have tons of them) and spray it with regular cooking spray. When the candle melts, I pour it into the ice cube tray, let them set, and then I have tarts!
Waste not want not…I’ve been doing this for years. My husband has always thought it crazy!
PLEASE TAKE DOWN THIS POST. This such a dangerous thing to do! I can believe anyone would do this. Do you know how low the flash point is for paraffin wax? It’s very easy to start a fire when you have no clue what you are doing. NEVER EVER EVER heat paraffin wax without double boiler. Unless you are going to educate your readers on how to safely meat wax a post like this completely irresponsible.
Such a great idea! Can’t wait to try it out!
Excellent idea! I reuse my old candle wax with my tart burners…works wonders especially when they never evaporate!
Having made candles, I am very concerned over the safety of this post. I would not entertain immersing the jar in boiling water as this could shock the glass and compromise the integrity of the container causing it to shatter. Wax is flamable, and great care must be taken when melting it, and it is recommended that a double boiler is used at all times.
If you burn your Yankee Candles properly they will never end up sooty or looking like the ones in the illustration. Keep the wick trimmed to one quarter inch, allow the candle to ‘pool’, that is to burn until the wax is melted right to the edge of the jar before blowing it out, about 4 hours. This ensures that you also get the maximum fragrance and burn time from your candle.
There is nothing wrong with recycling, just be very careful and exercise caution when handling melted wax as it is a dangerous, flamable substance that can burn.
I take my old candles and with cardboard egg cartons and dryer lint I make fire starters for my wood burner…Just stuff lint into egg carton, pour melted wax in, cut apart into individual sections and store near fireplac/wood burner. You still get the “scent” and when lit with kindling one starter and a match do the trick!!
I use to be a Scentsy consultants but now I’m thinking about taking my samples and redoing them into actual candles
You, my friend, are a genius! I just made 4 adorable mini candles with old Yankee Candles and also those tart things from Michael’s. They came out awesome! Thanks so much for this awesome recycling craft!
My fiance is off from work this week, and he is doing this right now! Can’t wait to see the results!
I have been doing this and adding paraffin to make fuller candles that arent so smelly. my sons allergies do do well with heavy scents. I am giving upcycled candles for christmas this year.
Hi there! Thanks for posting this super tutorial. Just wanted to add that I used a mug warmer instead of trying to boil the jars to get the last little bit out. It made the process super easy.
I found this on Pinterest and thought it was a fab idea so I gathered up my old candles and did this last night… Here’s a quick question though, now that everything has set… the centers of the candle sank down. Did this happen to yours? I don’t think they will burn properly since the middle is so low. Did I do something wrong?