I save our empty toilet and paper towel tubes, stuff them with waste paper and junk mail or even pine cones. Then I melt my small, leftover candle pieces in a old candle warmer, or in a tin can that is placed in a pot of water on the stove just until it melts. I pour the melted candle over the tubes. Make sure you either do this over a garbage can or stack of papers so you don't spill candle wax anywhere! That's a whole other tip! ;)
I use these little firestarters when we go camping to start our fires or even to start our woodburning stove up from a cold start! Makes starting fires a little easier. Kids can help stuff them all year round and dream about summer camping!
I also use the cardboard egg cartons but I put some sawdust into the compartments before adding the wax (hubby does woodwork so we always have an ample supply! Could used shredded paper too but I worry about the inks if used indoors - I am sensitive to odors and some burning papers smell bad to me.) After the wax has cooled, I score the cartons so they tear easily by hand. One or two 'eggs' worth gets a good blaze started.
For melting the wax, I like to use a big, tall can (like V8 comes in) so there is no chance of getting water into the wax. I also preform a pouring spout with pliers so it goes just where I want it to go.
Tips for using leftover wax from candles. Post your ideas.
I take old candles and melt them in a old saucepan on the stove over low heat, then dip pine cones in them for firestarters for the fireplace, or you can put them in a basket with fireplace matches for a gift. Also you can stuff toliet paper rolls with lint from your dryer and them dip them in wax for fireplace starters, either works very well, and cheaper than buying starters at the store.
We use a Tart Warmer and a small Fondue Pot, both available for under $5.00 at places like Bed, Bath and Beyond and Walmart. These work great for keeping a room or house smell fragrant and to help use up the left over scented candle wax!
Ever wonder what to do with those candles that the wick has burned down to nothing and you're left with a big chunk of wax? Recycle them! I take a cup warmer and put a small glass container on it. I cut the wax up into little pieces and over time the wax will melt. I keep adding wax pieces until the container is full.
By Meari from Illinois
I use it to stiffen thread.
I had many glass candle jars that have burned down to the bottom that could not be re-lit but still had quite a bit of wax at the bottom. What I did was purchase a candle warmer. It looks like my plug in coffee cup warmer I keep on my desk.
Do you have a favorite candle that the wick has burned completely down? Recycle it the easy way. It will involve a minimal expense, but it is well worth the investment.
Reusing Extra Candle Wax. When you have a candle that burns unevenly and wax is left in the jar or in a pillar, you can place the wax in the microwave and melt the wax.
Don't throw away that burnt out scented candle. If you don't have a candle warmer, buy one. Place your spent candles on the warmer and as they melt, combine them to create a whole candle.
These tiny candles work wonders for sticky locks and zippers. For sticky locks, simply rub the candle on the key then insert in the lock several times.
Any suggestions for using left over scented candles once the wick is gone and can no long be burnt? Thanks.
By carla from Huntington, WV
You can buy new wicks from the craft store and melt the candle wax down to make new candles. Sometimes I save the little holder the tea light candles come in and reuse them to make new candles that way.
After burning large candles, you usually have a lot of wax left (sometimes scented). . .
I love candles. My favorite are Yankee jar candles. I do have other regular candles and I hate to get rid of the wax when the wick are burned out to the bottom in the regular candles. There doesn't seem to be anything else I can do with it. Any ideas? Jennie from CT
