Can You Use Tea Lights To Make Candles?

Tea lights are small candles in thin metal or plastic cups that liquefy when lit (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/tea-light). They provide ambient lighting and warmth but don’t shed much actual light. Candles are made of wax with a cotton wick in the center that burns when lit.

This article provides an overview of the simple process for turning standard tea lights into decorative candles. With just a few basic supplies, you can melt down the wax tea light inserts and pour them into candle holders to create customized candles.

Table of Contents

Benefits of Turning Tea Lights into Candles

Turning tea lights into full-sized candles can be a cost-effective way to make candles. Tea lights are very inexpensive, usually costing only a few cents per candle. By melting down the wax and pouring it into a larger container, you can stretch your candle-making budget much further (Source 1).

Candle making also provides a fun and creative hobby. You can experiment with different wax colors, scents, and decorative touches. It’s satisfying to take basic tea lights and turn them into something beautiful and personalized (Source 2).

The candles you make from tea lights also make wonderful gifts. Homemade candles show you put time and care into a gift. You can customize candles based on the recipient’s preferences. Turning tea lights into candles allows you to create gifts on a budget (Source 3).

What You’ll Need

Making candles from tea lights requires just a few simple supplies:

Tea lights – These are the small candles that come in metal tins. You’ll remove the wax to reuse the tins as candle containers.
Wax – Soy or paraffin wax are commonly used. You’ll need enough to fill your containers. Candle wax can be purchased from craft stores or online retailers. Look for wax marketed specifically for candle making.
Wicks – Pre-tabbed wicks work well for tea lights. Make sure to get wicks sized for the diameter of your containers.
Fragrance – Essential oils or candle fragrances can be added to scent your candles. Use fragrances made for candle making.
Containers – The metal tins from tea lights make perfect containers. You can also use small glass jars, ramekins, or other heat-safe holders.

When sourcing supplies, look for candle making retailers that offer candle wax, wicks, fragrances, and accessories all in one place for convenience.

Instructions

Making candles from tea lights is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the basic steps:

First, remove the wax from the tea light cups. An easy way to do this is to place the tea lights in the freezer for 1-2 hours. The wax will pop right out.[1]

Next, melt your candle wax in a double boiler or slow cooker. Use 1 pound of wax per dozen tea light cups. Once melted, maintain the wax at the proper pouring temperature – around 150-165°F.[2]

While the wax is melting, prepare your wicks and tea light containers. Carefully center a wick in each cup, using a wick holder or piece of tape to keep it secure.

Once wax is melted, you can add fragrance if desired. Use .5-1 ounce of fragrance oil per pound of wax. Stir well to incorporate.

Finally, carefully pour the wax into the prepared containers. Leave room at the top for the wax to pool when burning. Allow candles to fully set and cure for 24-48 hours before use.

Tips and Tricks

When making candles from tea lights, there are some handy tips and tricks to keep in mind for success.

It’s important to use a double boiler to gently melt the wax. Direct heat can scorch the wax. Fill a saucepan with a couple inches of water and place your container of wax inside. Heat the water to simmering to melt the wax.[1]

Allow the melted wax to fully cool and harden before moving or handling it. This prevents spills and messes. It’s tempting to handle the wax when it’s still warm and pliable, but patience here pays off.

Carefully center the wick in the melted wax before allowing to harden. Use a wick bar or sticker on the bottom of the container to hold it in place. Centering ensures an even burn.[2]

Decorating Your Candles

Once you have turned your tea lights into candles, there are many creative ways to decorate them to make them even more beautiful and personalized. Some popular techniques include:

Adding colors – One easy way to decorate candles is to add colors. You can do this by dripping, swirling, or layering colored wax over the base wax. Wax crayons or oil pastels also work well to add stripes, dots, and other patterns to the candles. See this source for tips on adding color.

Layering wax – For a striped effect, you can layer different colored waxes by allowing each layer to partially setup before adding the next color. You can do wide or thin stripes. For swirling, let the bottom layer harden slightly and then use a skewer to “swirl” in the top color while the wax is still soft. See this source for more layering techniques.

Pressing in dried flowers/leaves – For a natural look, press dried flower petals, leaves, or other botanicals into the wax while it is still soft. Make sure plant materials are completely dried first. See this source for how to decorate with botanicals.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes homemade candles don’t turn out perfectly on the first try. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

Cloudy Appearance

If your candle has a cloudy, frosted, or foggy appearance, the wax may have overheated or cooled too quickly. Try heating the wax to 185°F and pouring it through a coffee filter to remove impurities (source). Slow down the cooling process by covering the candle with a towel or moving it to a warmer area of your home.

Scent Throws Poorly

If the scent is weak, try adding more fragrance oil—up to 1 oz. per pound of wax. Make sure to stir thoroughly to fully incorporate the oil. Warming the candle before lighting can also help release more aroma. Consider using essential oils for a stronger scent throw (source).

Cracking or Holes

Cracks and holes indicate shrinking as the candle cools. To prevent this, pour candles into a warmer container preheated with hot water. Covering the cooling candle with a towel will also help slow the cooling process. If cracks already formed, use a heat gun on low setting to gently re-melt and smooth over imperfections (source).

Storing Your Candles

Properly storing your homemade candles is important for maximizing their lifespan. Candles should be kept in a cool, dark place away from heat and light sources which can cause the wax to melt or lose fragrance more quickly. Ideal storage temperatures are below 80°F.

Find a covered container or closet to store your candle inventory in. Sunlight and fluorescent lighting can fade candle colors and eat away at essential oils in the wax. Storing candles in a dark, enclosed space preserves the scent and appearance.

It’s also a good idea to rotate your candle stock and burn older candles first before newer batches. The fragrance oils used in candle making can dissipate over time. Burning older candles first ensures you can enjoy them at peak freshness and fragrance.

With proper storage away from heat, light, and air, homemade candles can last upwards of a year before burning. Take care to store candles properly and you’ll get the maximum burn time and enjoyment out of your homemade candle efforts. For more candle storage tips see: https://www.bhg.com/candle-storage-tips-6746991

Safety Tips

When making candles at home, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Here are some key tips to follow:

Work in a well-ventilated area. Candle making involves melting wax, which can produce fumes. Make sure to work in a space with good airflow, like near an open window.[1]

Avoid open flames. Don’t smoke or light candles or incense nearby when making candles, since wax is flammable. Avoid any other ignition sources as well.[2]

Use caution when pouring hot wax. Melted wax can cause severe burns if spilled on skin. Pour carefully and slowly into molds or containers. Consider wearing gloves and long sleeves when handling hot wax.[1]

Keep a fire extinguisher on hand just in case, and never leave melting or burning candles unattended. Follow these tips to make candle making as safe as possible.

Conclusion

Turning tea lights into homemade candles is a fun, easy, and affordable project. The process simply requires melting down old tea lights, adding fragrance if desired, and pouring into a container to cool and harden. With just a few materials on hand, you can upcycle used tea lights into beautiful new candles in no time.

The candles you make with this simple process can be used in a variety of ways. Display them around your home to create a lovely ambiance and pleasant scent. Gift your homemade candles to friends and family for birthdays, holidays, or to say thank you. You can get creative with different scents, colors, and containers to customize candles for any occasion. The possibilities are endless once you learn the basics of turning tea lights into candles.