HOLY MOLY! I made candles!!! I have to say I’ve been researching how to reuse my candles for a few months now. I used to burn candles once in a while, but while I had no heat and electricity for over a week during Hurricane Sandy I kind of burned thru my whole stash!

So I had all this candle wax that I didn’t know what to do with and it seemed like such a waste to just chuck it, but I had a lot of fear of DIYing with wax. It’s something I’m super unfamiliar with and a DIY that would involve my stove, but it was so simple!!!

First Step: Removing Wax from Glass Containers

So I looked at a million ways to do this…the internet does not lack answers that’s for sure. But I finally found this simple 3 minute video that made it look simple and quick and it actually IS simple and quick.

*Note: In the video she says not to let your candle vessel drop, but I did and it made this process easier for me. BUT! Keep the vessel in there for a short amount of time as the video instructs.

(click video to be directed to source)

After you take take out the wax from your containers you’ll have a mess of wax and shiny empty glass containers ready to reuse.

Second Step: Making New Candles Out of Old Wax

If you have a double boiler great! But I don’t and I didn’t want to sacrifice another pot to candle making so instead I sacrificed a ladle. I also liked that the ladle had a spout to work with, I can’t imagine doing this sans spout! I’m far too clumsy. I also liked that the ladle made really manageable but still significant amounts of melted wax.

You want to chop your wax into pieces, the smaller the pieces the faster it will melt. Do NOT leave the room while your wax is melting, wax does not boil it will just burst into flame, so be sure to stay close to keep an eye on it.

While your wax is melting you can prep your containers. I bought wicks from my local craft store for $3.00, they are already waxed wicks and are made in the USA.

I totally forgot to take pictures of my wicks with the container setup! But it’s pretty easy you want to center your wick in your container, anchor it with something (I used a couple of small nails), then grab a chopstick, pen or toothpick and tape the wick so that it stays straight as you’re pouring wax. It will look like this….

Let your candles cool completely hard and then you are done!!!

I’m so so soooooo geeked that upcycling candles are so simple! I want to take everyone’s old candles and make new ones :).