Can I recycle candles?

maman

Last week I finished a scented, pillar candle and there seemed to be a large 'shell' left when the wick was all burned through. It seems such a waste to throw it away.

I was wondering whether (a bit like you can with soap) whether it's possible to make new candles from 'leftovers'. Is it a lot of faff? Is it worth it?

TIA

BitterAndTwisted

It's a bit of a faff but quite rewarding. It's easy to melt candle-wax and make new candles from them. I do it all the time. All you need it an empty tin-can, a pan of simmering water, a mould and some cotton string for a wick.

moments_of_sanity

As B&T said, very easy to do and we have made up several large candle by using up the 'dregs' of old candles. Mine end up looking very multi coloured as we use flavoured candles a lot here.

SnowBelle_2

My mum puts the bits of candle in a burner and uses them like the Yankee candle wax tarts.

guinea_pig_girl

Hello,

You can also send the wax off to be recycled for you - this was on the Hoarding thread....

http://recreationsproject.wordpress.com/supporting-us/donating-materials/

emmbee123

Best thing would be to avoid it happening at all. I recently learnt the way to stop the 'shell effect'

If you burn the candle for an hour for each inch across it shouldn't happen, then each time candle is blown out, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch and it shouldn't happen again!

fuzzypicklehead

Guinea pig girl-- That's my project, actually! Thanks for the link.

We do collect candle stubs (and babybel cheese wax, if you can believe it) to make into new candles. Pre waxed & plated wicks are very cheap on ebay, so it's a very easy project to do at home too.

One of our favourite things to do is decoupage an old glass jar with tissue paper, add a wick and pour the candle straight in. They make gorgeous gifts. Teacup candles are also all the rage. If you're feeling fancy you can pour them into a sliced wine bottle like these http://recreationsproject.wordpress.com/2013/04/10/wordless-wednesday-wine-bottles-and-candle-stubs/ .

You can also use the wax stubs for batiking or wax-resist watercolour projects at home. (Sorry, can you tell we get really excited about candle stubs?)

PudseyDB

fuzzypicklehead wrote: »

Guinea pig girl-- That's my project, actually! Thanks for the link.

We do collect candle stubs (and babybel cheese wax, if you can believe it) to make into new candles. Pre waxed & plated wicks are very cheap on ebay, so it's a very easy project to do at home too.

One of our favourite things to do is decoupage an old glass jar with tissue paper, add a wick and pour the candle straight in. They make gorgeous gifts. Teacup candles are also all the rage. If you're feeling fancy you can pour them into a sliced wine bottle like these http://recreationsproject.wordpress.com/2013/04/10/wordless-wednesday-wine-bottles-and-candle-stubs/ .

You can also use the wax stubs for batiking or wax-resist watercolour projects at home. (Sorry, can you tell we get really excited about candle stubs?)

Wow - I'm loving the ideas and creations on this page :T

bargainbetty

Damn, I think I just found a new hobby.... thanks for the links!

empressemma

Ive been thinking about making teacup candles.
Could you just buy a load of cheap household candles, melt them down and recreate in the teacup, with new wicks I guess??

katiewoos_2

I make teacup candles by melting the old wax in a jug in a pan of simmering water. I then pour the wax into the cup and let it set slightly. When it is slightly solid push a birthday candle into the middle. You may have to cut the candle to size but instant cheap,wick. Works every time.