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.
Love the upcycled candles they came out really nice. The centers sink because that is not a one pour wax. One pour wax never does that. It’s also a sign that it’s not pure soy, it has some additives. I’m actually surprised to see the soot on the Yankee candle looks like they are mixing soy with something else…….just something to think about.
I have been doing this myself… but one tip is I was trying to hurry through them and I put this in the fridge to cool it down to do the next layer and the glass actually cut right at the hot/cold point. so I now have a short candle….
This is fantastic. I kept some glass coffee jars and was trying to think of what to do with them, this is perfect! Thank you for your great ideas!!!
If you use two wicks, it will burn evenly.
Found this through Pinterest and thought, “Why not?” Followed your instructions and it worked! Just did a blog about it: http://craftyquiltycool.blogspot.com/2013/01/candle-clean-up.html
and linked back to this post. Thanks for such a great idea!
I may get poo-pooed over this, but when I melt my old candles and re-pour them, I find small flat pieces of wood in the yard or small,skinny twigs and use them for wicks. They give the crackle of a fireplace and we enjoy them. We live on a 100 acre farm, so I have an abundance of twigs!
What a great idea! I can’t wait to give it a try. Here’s another way to reuse old pillar candles: http://1morethan2.com/transform-old-candles-into-something-new/
Great idea! Thanks for this, will have to try 🙂
This is a great idea, but notice these are all Yankee candles?? If you burn Bath and Body Works candles, you don’t have all that left over candle…
Once the candle is out clean a d reuse the jar. Makes an awesome planter for a houseplant you start yourself from s clipping or leaf. Perhaps a jade or spider or Christmas cactus. Start several…they make great gifts in nice containers.
love this idea making right now!!
I’ve done this with the same brand wick and yankee candles. Worked well for the first 1 or 2 uses but after that wouldn’t stay lit for more than 5 minutes. Any suggestions?
Love the idea. This could be such a nice christmas gift for my grandparents. Thank you!
I have done this on more than on occasion. My problem is they won’t burn….
This is a great idea, you can even make your own wick by taking a thick string or cord, after you melt the first candle, dip the whole string into the wax, lift out and hold a couple minutes till dry, then do again. For a weight, I used a button, tied it to the string, kind of a weight. Then follow the other directions. This is easy when you can’t get to the Hobby Store and are forced to innovate; A true recycle project, thrift have a abundance of clear containers for pennies.
thank you for posting this one, i have many old jars candle ready to throw it out, this post save me for doing it.
I was just going threw my linin closet and I have so many left over candles. I hate to throw them out. I just happened to see this on Happy go Lucky site. I am glad I took the chance and went to the site. I am eager to try this now…..Thank You so much……
We had done this and not only did we have the tornadoes, my candles didn’t put off much of a smell. They were vanilla and smelled great when burnt originally and when melted down; couldn’t even smell after I redid them. I got frustrated and threw everything away. Waste of time on that one!
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Please please add that the water should be boiled, removed from the stovetop and transferred to a nonheat conducting surface like a trivet. Do not put the pot on the countertop or in the sink. And please use glove-like pot holders to avoid water or wax splashes. Too many household accidents are easily avoidable.