I'm not sure it is a good idea for me to blog about how I make my recycled candles as I do it all wrong, so this post is a 'do as I say, not as I do' post.
You are supposed to heat candle wax in a double boiler, I don't, I use a thick bottomed metal pan on a low heat & I throw in all the leftover bits of candle in it. I don't think I'd do this on an electric hob, but I have a gas hob & so when I turn the gas off the heat goes off fast. I put the candles that are still in holders in the oven on a low heat on a baking tray for a few minutes, this makes the bits easier to get out. I added half a broken wax crayon to the pan on the hob & stir everything together gently. You can buy candle making supplies cheaply from eBay, but this time I had a couple of tall white candles that had been snapped so I added them to the pan & then fished out the wick one the candles had melted.
I cut the wick to the required length, used metal knitting needles resting across the top of the containers I wanted to re-use, I wrapped one end of the wick round the needle, placed the needle across the container so the wick reached the bottom of the container. Once the wax was liquid I poured it gently into the containers to the required depth, but pouring very gently all the rubbish remains in the bottom of the pan, I once tried to strain the wax, but as my sieve was plastic it melted from the heat of the wax. I saved some of the wax & waited until the candles had set, they tend to sink in the middle once set & I then reheat the remaining wax & top up the containers, this seems to get rid of the dip in the middle of the candle. I didn't add any scent this time as a couple of the old candle scraps were already scented. If I do want to add scent I use essential oil, I add a few drops to the melted wax, I usually use Lavender or Tea tree as they are both cheap & easily available. For Yule candles I use clove oil.
So this is what I do, but as they say on TV, 'Please don't try this at home'.
8 comments:
Isn't it awful that you have to have all these warnings now, otherwise the Health and Safety will be after us!!!
Gill in Canada
J.J.
Thank you for the how you make candles, but could you tell me how you make the wicks when they are to short, do you make them, if so how, or do you get them from a shop
When I make candles I just set a small pan in a bigger pan and boil away.
I have a length of candle wick on a reel, I just cut it to the required length. I bought it from Ebay.
Thanks for that Hester! I shall start rounding up old candles and containers and give it a go!
The use of knitting needles is so ingenious I am kicking myself for not thinking of it myself! lol
I will be using knitting needles for my next lot! (usually try to balance bits of wooden skewer..dur!!)
I melt my leftover wax in a pyrex jug - the handle stuck over the side of the saucepan - makes it easy for pouring the meltedy wax.
i melt down my old scented candles in the microwave..i put them in silicone bun cases..melt them down and then when they are set they just pop out..they make great tarts for tart burners!if the smell is faint you can also add a drop of fragrance oil at time of melting..keep a close eye on them as they melt quite quickly!
Post a Comment