What To Do With Candles That Are Almost Empty?

Candles are a popular household item, used for lighting, fragrance, and ambiance. However, once a candle burns down, there is often leftover wax remaining inside the container. This leftover wax can be inconvenient and go to waste if not handled properly. An estimated 35 million pounds of candle wax enters landfills each year in the US alone, according to research from SustainabilityChampions.com.

Rather than throwing away leftover wax, repurposing it is an easy way to get more use out of candles and divert waste from landfills. Finding a new use for the remaining wax also gives more value to the original candle purchase. This article will explore creative ways to reuse the wax from candles that are almost empty, providing actionable tips to reduce waste.

Repurpose for Travel

Making mini candles out of leftover wax can be useful for outdoor activities like camping or to have on hand for emergency situations like power outages.

To make mini travel candles, scrape out any remaining wax stuck to the sides of an empty candle jar. Melt the leftover wax in a double boiler or microwave. Then pour the melted wax into smaller containers like tea lights or miniature jars. Add a new wick by sticking it into the wax before it fully hardens. You can reuse wicks from tea lights or purchase wick tabs.

These small candles are convenient to pack for camping trips, hiking, or keeping in your car emergency kit. The mini size makes them easy to carry and they provide light without needing batteries or electricity. Having candlelight available during a power outage also helps provide some illumination when flashlights are not available.

Turning leftover candle wax into portable mini candles takes little effort. It’s a crafty way to get additional use out of empty candle jars instead of throwing them away. The homemade candles also make nice gifts for campers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone looking for an emergency preparedness item.

Source: https://just-candles.net/what-to-do-with-old-candle-wax/

Make Fire Starters

One of the easiest ways to use up leftover candle wax is by making homemade fire starters. These wax and sawdust cubes can help jumpstart a campfire, firepit, or wood stove fire. The wax helps the sawdust, lint, or other tinder materials catch a spark and burn longer. According to this tutorial, you’ll need the following supplies:

• Leftover candle wax
• Sawdust, dryer lint, cotton balls, or other tinder
• Ice cube trays, muffin tins, or silicone molds
• Wick material (optional)

Start by melting the leftover candle wax either in the microwave or a double boiler. Let it fully liquify. Then mix in the sawdust, lint, or other tinder material at a ratio of about 2 parts wax to 1 part tinder. Stir well to fully incorporate. Pour the wax mixture into molds like ice cube trays or muffin tins. If desired, insert a small piece of wick into each cavity before pouring. Allow the fire starters to fully harden before removing from the molds. They can then be stored until needed to start a fire. The wax helps the tinder materials catch and burn hotter and longer.

Wax Melts

One popular way to reuse leftover candle wax is to make homemade wax melts. To do this, you’ll need some silicone molds, which you can find online or at craft stores. Start by filling a saucepan about halfway with water and bringing it to a boil. Then, place your candle directly in the water, making sure the water level covers the wax completely. Allow the candle wax to fully melt, which should only take around 15-20 minutes (1).

Once melted, carefully pour the wax into the silicone molds, leaving a little room at the top for the wax to cool and settle. Optional extras like fragrance oils or dye can be added at this point if desired. Let the wax fully cool and harden for a few hours before gently removing from the molds. You now have custom wax melts ready to be used in wax warmers! This allows you to continue enjoying the scent of a favorite candle even when it’s too low to burn.

To make clean-up easy, simply reboil any leftover wax in the saucepan to liquify again, then pour into a heat-safe container to trash or reuse for another project (2). Making your own wax melts is an easy DIY way to breathe new life into the final bit of candle wax.

(1) https://by-pink.com/how-to-make-wax-melts/
(2) https://www.lambertslately.com/2017/02/diy-wax-melts-made-from-upcycled-candles.html

Emergency Candles

One great way to get the most out of the last bits of candle wax is to save it for emergency situations. As the wax at the bottom of a candle burns down, there is often some leftover that clings to the sides of glass jars or the edges of votives. This wax can be gathered up and stored in a heat-safe container to make mini emergency candles. According to TruePrepper.com, keeping a small supply of emergency candles on hand is an important part of emergency preparedness kits.

When power goes out during storms or other crisis situations, emergency candles provide necessary illumination and heat. By re-purposing nearly-gone candles into small emergency candles, you avoid waste and make sure to get full use out of candles before throwing them away. The bit of leftover wax at the bottom of a candle has enough fuel to provide up to 30 minutes of light and warmth in an emergency. While not a long-term solution, mini emergency candles made from candle remnants can make a critical difference in an unexpected crisis or disaster. With just a little creativity, you can give old candles new life while also preparing for the unexpected.

Colorant for Other Candles

One of the easiest ways to repurpose the last bits of candle wax is to use it as a colorant for new candles. Simply melt down the colored leftover wax from scented or decorative candles and mix it into plain wax when making your own candles (Source: https://www.marthastewart.com/7690300/how-get-wax-out-of-candle-jar). The melted candle wax will tint the new wax, allowing you to custom color your homemade candles on the cheap. The more leftover colored wax you add, the more vibrant the final candle color will be.

This is a great way to repurpose the final bits of birthday candles, holiday candles, or other decorative candles to make DIY candles in your favorite colors. Simple melt the old wax and mix it into plain wax at a ratio that achieves your desired shade. Get creative with blending colors too. You can even use old crayon bits or food coloring to color your melted leftover wax before mixing it into new candles (Source: https://www.realhomes.com/advice/what-to-do-with-leftover-candle-wax).

Waterproofing

Leftover candle wax can be used to waterproof various materials like matches, cardboard, and paper (Otter Wax Heavy Duty Fabric Wax). Simply melt down any remaining candle wax and apply a coating while the material is flat. As the wax cools and solidifies, it creates a water-resistant barrier.

This is an easy DIY way to make materials like matchboxes and cardboard gift boxes waterproof. The wax coating will repel any moisture and prevent the material underneath from getting wet and damaged. It’s also a useful survival skill for waterproofing things like matches and tinder while camping or during emergencies. With just a bit of leftover candle wax, you can extend the life of paper goods and keep them protected from the elements.

Preserve Scents

One popular way to repurpose the leftover wax from candles is to preserve the scent. After a candle has been fully burned, there is often wax remaining on the sides and bottom. This wax still contains the oils that give the candle its fragrance.

To preserve the scent, carefully peel the wax off the sides of the glass container and scrape the excess from the bottom. Be cautious as the glass may still be warm. Gather the wax fragments and place them in a heat-safe glass jar or metal tin. The key is keeping the wax enclosed so the fragrance is contained.

According to candle care tips from iHeartOrganizing.com, pouring the leftover wax into jars is an easy way to make the most of your favorite candle scents long term [1]. The scent will remain in the wax even after the candle is spent.

Once gathered in a container, store in a cool, dark place. Over time, the fragrance may diminish, but the oils will continue releasing their scent. Then when ready to enjoy again, simply warm the wax to release the preserved fragrance.

Wax Paper

One creative way to use leftover candle wax is to make your own wax paper for food wrapping or arts and crafts (Source). Simply melt the remaining candle wax and use a brush to evenly coat a sheet of parchment paper. Let it fully dry. The wax will create a non-stick barrier that makes the paper moisture-resistant. Homemade wax paper can be used for food prep, covering bowls, crafts, and more. It provides a sustainable alternative to store-bought wax paper. The process allows you to get additional use out of candle wax instead of throwing it away.

Conclusion

To recap, empty candles don’t have to be discarded. There are many creative ways to reuse and repurpose candle wax before a candle is completely finished burning. Being resourceful with leftover wax reduces waste and saves money.

The various tips covered allow you to extend the life of a candle by making travel-sized candles, fire starters, wax melts, layering wax to make new candles, and more. Repurposing wax also lets you preserve and enjoy the candle’s fragrance in new forms.

With a little creativity and effort, those last bits of wax can provide continued usefulness. So next time you’re about to throw out a candle, consider giving it new life with one of these repurposing ideas instead.