Turn the ends of your used candles into brand new ones.
You know that heartbreaking moment when you realize your favorite candle is on it’s last leg? Do you have a handful of old candles laying around because you just can’t part with the votive? With this easy DIY, you can turn your old candles into brand new ones!
Step 1
Make sure the wax of your candle is nice and solid. Using a butter knife, gently break up the wax and scrape it out around the old wick. Set aside.
(For this blog, I used two old Capri Blu Volcano candles because well, they’re one of my faves and I don’t ever want them to be finished! Also, they have a nice buttery soy wax that makes it super easy to break up and scrape out- unlike cheap, crumbly wax candles.)
Step 2
Gather your other supplies:
- scissors
- heavy duty glue (I prefer E6000 for it’s virtual indestructibility- find some here)
- wicks + wick stands (my favorite are real, wooden wicks from The Wooden Wick because they give that awesome crackle)
- a small Mason jar or clean candle votive (this was an old fave from World Market)
Step 3
Insert wick into wick stand and add a dab of glue on the bottom. Make sure it is perfectly centered in the votive and press to secure. Let dry.
Once dry, use a pair of sharp scissors to trim the wick to the height of the votive. (You will probably need to trim it more later.)
Step 4
Next, gather your melting supplies. You will need:
- a clean can (a soup or coffee can works great depending on the amount of wax you have)
- small cooking pot (don’t worry- it shouldn’t get any wax in it!)
- plastic funnel
- potholder
- a chopstick or plastic spoon (to stir the wax and retrieve any floating ash from the old wick)
Step 5
Next you will need to create a double boiler to melt the wax. Fill the pot with about 2 cups water, turn on medium heat and let it reach a nice rolling boil.
Add the wax to your can and rest the can in the water.
Over the next 3-5 minutes, allow the wax to melt as you gently stir from time to time.
Step 6
Using the potholder and funnel, gently pour the fully melted wax into the votive. Once poured, use the chopstick or plastic spoon to guide a little melted wax on to the wick to help it burn more evenly.
Step 7
Allow it to set for at least 24 hours. Trim any excess wick with large nail clippers.
Light and enjoy your new candle! Cheers!
