What To Do With Candles After They Burn Out?

Candles are meant to provide light, scent, ambiance, decoration, and to visually soften and warm the harshness of indoor spaces. Typically, candles are made from paraffin wax, honey, soy, coconut wax, or beeswax. The wax is formed around a textile wick. When burned, the heat melts the wax to fuel the wick, releasing fragrance and light. Candles are used in celebrations, ceremonies, aromatherapy, prayer, rituals, and for general home decor.

Over time, as the wax is consumed, the candle burns down to the bottom where it can no longer be lit. At this point, consumers face the decision of how to properly dispose of or reuse the remaining wax and container.

Table of Contents

Safety Concerns

When handling burnt out candles, it’s important to keep safety top of mind. The two main hazards are fire risk and hot wax. Here are some tips to handle used candles safely:

Make sure the wick and all wax are completely cooled before handling. Burnt out candles can still be very hot, especially in containers like jars that retain heat. Let the candle sit for at least 2-3 hours after blowing it out before touching it.

Check for any embers on the wick. Tap the wick against the side of the container to knock off any glowing embers that could still ignite. It’s a good idea to cut the wick as short as possible as well.

Be very careful when pouring out leftover melted wax, as wax holds heat and can still burn. Always pour back into the original container or a heat safe vessel.

Store properly before reuse or disposal. Place in a safe spot away from flammables. Candles give off flammable wax vapors even when unlit.

Never put used candles directly into the trash while still warm. Allow to fully solidify first to prevent fires.

Keep away from children and pets until the candle is no longer a burn risk.

With some basic safety precautions, you can safely handle burnt out candles and prepare them for reuse or disposal.

Reuse the Wax

One of the best ways to reuse candle wax is to make new candles, wax melts, or fire starters. To reuse wax from jar candles or votives, start by removing any wicks and extinguishing the flame if there’s any wax left. Allow the wax to fully harden before attempting to remove it. Gently heat the candle container to loosen the wax and pry it out in one piece if possible. Grate or break up the chunks of wax into smaller pieces.

To make new candles, combine old wax pieces with a wax melting pot or double boiler until fully melted. Carefully pour the liquid wax into new candle jars or other containers, adding new wicks. You can customize your homemade candles by adding essential oils, coloring, glitter, or other embellishments. The reused wax can also be poured into silicone molds to make wax melts, tarts, or embeds. Used wax works great as a fire starter for campfires too. Simply form small wax balls or use a muffin tin to create custom fire starter shapes.

Reusing old candle wax is an easy way to create new candles and candle accessories for free. It reduces waste while letting you customize fun new items.

Reuse the Container

The container that holds a candle can serve many purposes long after the candle has burned out. Glass, metal, or ceramic containers make great storage for small items like paper clips, pins, cotton balls, rubber bands, and other odds and ends around the home. Keep these tiny necessities handy yet out of sight by stashing them in repurposed candle jars.

Containers that once housed candles also work beautifully as miniature vases. Cut fresh flowers to size or fill with faux blooms for an instant decor touch in bathrooms, bedrooms, and more. For larger jars, create unique terrariums by filling with soil and small plants. The transparent sides allow you to watch the mini garden grow.

Turn empty candle vessels into darling planters for succulents, cacti, herbs, and other plants that don’t require much space to thrive. Clean the container thoroughly, add drainage holes if needed, and layer the bottom with pebbles before filling with potting mix and seeds or plantlings. Place near a sunny window and watch your candle turn into a cute container garden.

Trash It

Although it may seem wasteful, for most candle enthusiasts, the easiest option is to simply throw away a spent candle. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when trashing candles to ensure you’re disposing of them properly.

First, make sure the candle wax is fully cooled and solidified before putting it in the trash. Hot wax can melt plastic garbage bags and make a mess. It’s best to let the candle sit for 24 hours after it’s extinguished to harden.

Don’t try to remove the wick or reuse the metal container. Putting the entire candle as-is into the garbage ensures there are no hazards and makes the process quick and easy. The wax, wick and container will go to a landfill together.

Never put spent candles or any wax products into recycling bins. Wax can damage recycling equipment and contaminate new materials. Always throw candles in the regular trash bin destined for a landfill.

With proper disposal, trashing used up candles is safe and hassle-free. Although not the most eco-friendly, it’s a convenient option for those not wanting to reuse or repurpose their finished candles.

Donate

If you have leftover candles that are still usable but you no longer want, consider donating them to local charities and shelters. Many thrift stores and women’s shelters will gladly accept partially used candles that are in good condition.

Call your local thrift stores, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, animal shelters, or other charitable organizations to see if they accept candle donations. Let them know you have some gently used candles to donate. This allows these organizations to put the candles to good use providing lighting, ambiance, and warmth for their facilities.

Before dropping off candle donations, make sure the wicks are trimmed, containers are cleaned, and any labels are removed. Partly used candles in intact containers can still provide hours of use to someone in need. Donating is a great way to avoid waste while supporting your community.

Sell or Swap

If your partially used candles are still in good condition, consider selling or swapping them on online marketplaces. Sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Nextdoor make it easy to connect with local buyers. You can create listings describing the type, scent, and remaining burn time of the candles. Be sure to take clear photos showing any wax, wicks, and labeling that is still intact. Price items competitively based on their condition and demand. Swapping with other candle enthusiasts can also help you refresh your home fragrance collection without spending money. Look for swap groups on Facebook or Reddit where you can trade gently used candles for new-to-you options. Evaluate swap offers based on personal scent preferences, brands, burn times, etc. Selling or swapping allows extending the useful life of candles while making a bit of extra cash. Just make sure to package items securely for shipping or meetup exchanges.

Compost It

If the candle wax has been fully burned, leaving no wax remnants, the metal, glass, or ceramic container can potentially be added to a compost pile. The compost pile’s microorganisms will slowly break down the container over time. However, it’s best to check with your local waste management department first, as some municipalities do not allow composting of such materials.

When adding a used candle container to a compost pile, be sure that:

All wax has been burnt away, leaving no residue.
Any labels or decorations have been removed.
Glass containers are broken into small pieces first to avoid injury.
Metal containers have no sharp edges.
The container is buried in the middle of the pile.

Composting candle containers is an eco-friendly way to replenish the soil and avoid sending the materials to a landfill. However, proper precautions must be taken to ensure safety.

Upcycling Ideas

One creative way to reuse old candle wax is through upcycling it into new products. Here are some fun DIY ideas for giving your leftover wax new life:

Make Your Own Crayons

Making homemade crayons is a great craft project, especially for kids. Simply melt down old candle wax, add some crayon wicks, and pour into silicone molds. Let cool completely before using. You can add color by mixing in oil pastels, eyeshadow, or powdered tempera paint.

Whip Up Massage Oils

Candle wax makes an excellent base for soothing massage oils. Melt with a carrier oil like sweet almond or grapeseed, and add some essential oils for fragrance if desired. Pour into containers and rub onto skin for a spa-like massage experience.

Craft Lotion Bars

Blending old wax with oils and butters lets you make moisturizing lotion bars. They have a balm-like texture and are great for dry hands and skin. Try recipes with ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil. Simply rub the bar directly onto skin anywhere you need hydration.

Conclusion

In summary, after a candle burns out there are a variety of safe and sustainable ways to reuse or repurpose the leftover wax and container. The safest option is to let the wax fully cool and harden before handling. Be sure to follow any manufacturer safety warnings. If reusing the wax or container, clean thoroughly first. Otherwise, try to donate or upcycle if possible – turning the remains into fun crafts or art projects. Repurposing helps keep waste out of landfills. However, if the candle remnants are too damaged, soiled, or impractical to reuse, then they can be discarded mindfully and safely. Above all, exercise caution when handling burnt-out candles to avoid potential hazards. With some creativity and care, old candle parts can be given new life.