Can You Melt Candle Wax And Reuse It?

Candle making is an enjoyable hobby for many people. But it can also generate a lot of leftover wax as you experiment with different scents, colors, and designs. Rather than throwing away the extra wax, you can easily repurpose and reuse it. This article provides an overview of how to melt, clean, and reuse old candle wax for new candles or other fun projects.

The main purpose of this article is to explain the process and benefits of recycling used candle wax. Remelting old wax is an eco-friendly practice that reduces waste. It also allows you to make customized candles on a budget by reusing wax you already have on hand. We’ll cover proper melting methods, wax purification, adding new scents and colors, wick selection, creative reuse ideas, troubleshooting, storage, and more. With some simple steps, you can give used candle wax new life in exciting ways.

Advantages of Reusing Wax

Reusing candle wax offers multiple benefits compared to discarding old candles and buying new ones. The main advantages are:

Saves Money

The wax in a typical candle can represent up to 50% of its retail cost. Rather than throwing this savings away, you can melt down old candles and recycle the wax into new ones for free.[1] This allows you to enjoy beautiful, homemade candles without the expense of buying complete new ones.

Reduces Waste

Americans discard over 125,000 tons of candles per year. [2] Much of this waste could be eliminated by simply remelting and reusing the leftover wax. Upcycling old candles is an easy way to be environmentally friendly and cut down on the waste destined for landfills.

Creative Reuse

Melted wax can be used for more than just new candles. Get creative by using recycled wax to make wax melts, embellish letters or cards, create textured art canvases, strengthen thread for sewing, lubricate stuck drawers or windows, condition leather, and more. The possibilities are endless!

[1] https://www.marthastewart.com/7690300/how-get-wax-out-of-candle-jar
[2] https://www.harlemcandlecompany.com/blogs/journal/what-to-do-with-leftover-candle-wax

How to Melt Candle Wax

There are a few simple methods for melting used candle wax so it can be reused for new candles or other projects. The most common approaches are using a double boiler or microwave.

The double boiler method involves placing the old candle wax in a heatproof container or glass measuring cup. Set this inside a pot with 1-2 inches of simmering water. Heat the water slowly until the wax melts completely. Be careful not to let the bottom of the container touch the water or get too hot. Maintain a low simmer and stir the wax occasionally as it melts. This is a gentle heating approach that helps preserve the wax quality (Martha Stewart).

Alternatively, you can use a microwave to melt leftover candle wax. Break the wax into smaller chunks and place in a microwave-safe container. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted smooth. Be very careful as wax can get extremely hot. Use potholders when removing from the microwave. This is a fast and convenient method, but can more easily burn the wax if you microwave too long.

The melting point for most candle waxes is between 120-170°F. PARAFFIN, which is often used in candles from major retailers, melts at about 130-150°F. SOY and BEESWAX have higher melt points around 144-170°F. When melting old candle wax, heat gently until liquid smooth. Don’t overheat or burn the wax as this can change the quality.

How to Clean and Purify Wax

Once the wax is melted, there are a few methods you can use to clean and purify it before reusing. This helps remove any impurities or debris.

Straining

One of the easiest ways to clean melted wax is by straining it. Place a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a heat-safe container. Carefully pour the melted wax through the strainer to filter out any wick remnants, dust, etc. Let the strained wax cool completely before reusing. Straining helps remove larger particles, but doesn’t completely purify the wax.

Cooling Method

Another simple purification process involves letting the wax cool undisturbed. As the wax cools, impurities will sink to the bottom of the container. When completely solidified, turn the container over and push out the clean wax, leaving debris behind. This works best for small amounts of wax.

Air Pocket Method

You can also create an air pocket to absorb impurities. Pour the melted wax into a heat-safe mold or container. Let it partially harden into a soft solid, then pierce the wax with a knife to create a pocket. Residual debris will be drawn into the air pocket as the wax fully hardens. Avoid disturbing the wax as it solidifies for best results.

Repeatedly melting, cooling, and filtering the wax will remove more impurities. But these simple methods produce wax clean enough for most reuse projects. For maximum purity, consider a more thorough wax purification process.

Adding Scents and Colors

There are many options for adding scents and colors to melted candle wax when reusing it for new candles or other projects. Some popular choices include:

Essential oils – Just a few drops of essential oils like lavender, lemon, or peppermint can provide a lovely light scent to reused wax. Make sure to stir well after adding the oil.

Liquid dyes – Liquid candle dyes specifically made for candlemaking allow you to easily tint the wax any hue. Add just a couple drops at a time and mix well to get the desired color intensity.

Crayon shavings – For a more natural, muted coloring, consider grating some crayon shavings into the melted wax. The crayon will melt and blend into the wax as it’s stirred. Subtle earth tone shades work best.

When adding scents and colors, it’s best to avoid exceeding a combined total of 1 tablespoon of additives per pound of wax. Overloading the wax with extras can inhibit proper melting and burning. Start with small amounts and mix well before adding more as needed.

Wick Options

When reusing candle wax, it’s important to choose the right wick to pair with the wax type and candle dimensions. Wicks are available in different materials and styles.

Pre-tabbed wicks have tabs added during production to curve the wick and help with initial sustain. Common pre-tabbed options like ECO wicks work well with natural waxes like soy or beeswax.

Braided wicks consist of twisted strands of cotton that maximize capillary action. They’re often flat or square shaped to provide more surface area. Braided cotton wicks help encourage complete wax consumption and reduce issues like tunneling.

Wooden wicks contain a wood core wrapped in natural fibers. As they burn, wood wicks crackle, which some enjoy for the ambiance. However, they must be used in wax with at least 5% paraffin or vybar to create the proper burn effect. Wood wicks may not be ideal for 100% soy or beeswax.

Consult a wick selection chart to match your wax type and candle diameter with the proper wick size and style. Testing different wicks is key to finding the best performance with reused wax.

Creative Wax Reuse Ideas

One of the most popular ways to reuse candle wax is to create new candles. You can simply melt down the leftover wax and pour it into a new container or candle mold to make candles in different shapes and sizes. According to Martha Stewart, leftover wax can be combined with new wax to create custom candle blends.

Candle wax can also be repurposed into wax melts. To make wax melts, pour the melted wax into silicone molds and allow it to fully harden before removing. Wax melts can be placed in warmers to infuse homes with lovely scents. As 96 North suggests, you can mix and match wax from different candles to create unique scent combinations in your homemade wax melts.

For another creative wax craft, pour melted wax into candy or crayon molds to make wax figurines, ornaments, or crayons. Let the wax fully set before gently removing your wax creations from the molds. Leftover wax offers an inexpensive material for making customized wax crafts and gifts.

Troubleshooting Problems

Candle making can be tricky, and problems like soot, discoloration, and poor burning can happen even with experience. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:

If your candle develops black soot or smoke, the wick is likely too large for the wax pool. Trim the wick to 1⁄4” before lighting to prevent excess soot. According to CandleScience, you can also try a different wick type like CD, LX, or HTP.

Discoloration after burning can happen with soy wax especially. Remelting and combining old wax with new wax can minimize the appearance. Properly wicked candles that reach a full melt pool while burning can also reduce discoloration. Store candles in a cool, dark area between uses.

Tunnels, cratering, poor scent throw, and drowned wicks result from an improperly wicked candle. Village Craft & Candle recommends testing multiple wicks to find the best pairing for your wax and vessel.

Storing and Maintaining Wax

Proper storage is important for maintaining the quality and shelf life of melted candle wax. Here are some tips for storing wax:

Use heat-safe, airtight containers like glass or metal. Plastic can absorb fragrance oils over time. Glass jars or tins work well for storing smaller amounts of wax. For larger batches, consider buckets with tight sealing lids.

Avoid direct sunlight and excessive heat, which can cause wax to melt or lose its scent. Store wax in a cool, dry place ideally around 60-75°F.

Wax can last 1-2 years when properly stored. Over time, the color may fade and scents diminish. For best quality, try to reuse wax within 6 months to a year.

Strain melted wax through cheesecloth or a mesh strainer before storing to remove debris and impurities.

Label storage containers with the type of wax, date, and any scents or dyes added. This helps keep batches organized.

Consider storing different colored or scented waxes separately to avoid cross-contamination.

Keep dust and particles out by covering the wax while stored. Cheesecloth or plastic wrap secured with a rubber band works well.

Store wax above any liquid wax remnants or debris that may settle on the bottom. Pouring off clear wax helps maximize the reusable portion.

Choosing the right storage and following these tips will help maintain the quality and workability of melted candle wax for future projects.

Conclusion

Reusing candle wax can save you money, reduce waste, and allow you to create customized candles. By melting old wax, straining out impurities, and adding new scents and colors, you can give old candles new life. The process does take some time and effort, but with the right supplies and techniques, it is very doable. As long as you take safety precautions, reuse wax properly, and store it correctly between uses, you can enjoy high-quality, homemade candles again and again. With a bit of creativity, reused wax opens up many possibilities.

To recap, the key steps are collecting old wax, melting and purifying it, adding fragrance and dye as desired, preparing new wicks, and pouring the wax into containers. Troubleshooting issues like scent throw or wick problems is par for the course. But the ability to customize and make candles tailored to your needs makes it rewarding. Reusing candle wax reduces waste, saves money on supplies, and allows you to refresh candles on your own terms.