Can I recycle candles?

maman

I started using one of my recycled candles yesterday, the one in the teacup.

Just like the 'bought' ones it seems to be burning through the middle and leaving a huge 'shoulder' of wax all round.

What I'm going to try next is make the candles 'multi-wick' by putting in 3 birthday cake candles instead of just the one central one.

I'm really enjoying this experiment. I'm not really a crafty person but I can manage this.:D

maman

maman wrote: »

I started using one of my recycled candles yesterday, the one in the teacup.

Just like the 'bought' ones it seems to be burning through the middle and leaving a huge 'shoulder' of wax all round.

What I'm going to try next is make the candles 'multi-wick' by putting in 3 birthday cake candles instead of just the one central one.

I'm really enjoying this experiment. I'm not really a crafty person but I can manage this.:D

Just an update: I tried the 'multi-wick' idea and it worked brilliantly. I didn't do it in the teacup but in a jar recycled from a candle I was given as a gift. The trouble is that now I won't have lots of 'waste wax' to make more!:(

cornishchick

Ok want to reuse my old candles so looking on amazonion and there are so many different options for wicks. I would love to try all different sizes so would probably go for a long length of wick and reuse the metal bits of my tea lights, but the lengths are different thicknesses, so which is Best?

maman

Sorry can't help you on your specific question, I've been using old birthday cake candles for wicks so only works for relatively shallow candles. Perhaps more 'expert' candle makers will come long.

Slight mishap to report. The multi-wick candle I made in a recycled jar (from a shop bought candle) cracked today. Maybe the three wicks or maybe because it's been burning for several hours or maybe a bit of both. Thought you'd like to be aware.

kitschy

Both the candles I've made in old curry sauce jars have shattered the glass (not on pouring, on burning). Is this because they weren't tempered glass, like baby food jars? How would I know if a jar was suitable?

Uniscots97

cornishchick wrote: »

Ok want to reuse my old candles so looking on amazonion and there are so many different options for wicks. I would love to try all different sizes so would probably go for a long length of wick and reuse the metal bits of my tea lights, but the lengths are different thicknesses, so which is Best?

I generally use cotton wick about the same thickness as garden twine. I think its 2.5 or 3mm. If you use the ones that are like thread I find they don't burn well.

[Deleted User]

I think I am going to give this a go as I seem to end up with lots of hollowed out shells of candles.
Next to do will be a bag of left over bits of soap to recycle into new soap bars any thoughts as I have a big bag that I just can't bring myself to bin.My friend keeps giving me odds and ends as she says 'Oh I'm sure you'll find a use for this'
Last year I did use the microwave for melting the soap scaps but it took ages to get rid of the smell from the machine :) anyone got a good way to recycle soap bits I do have one of those 'mould ' things from a Bettaware catalogue but it takes ages to 'set'