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 never can use all the candle wax at the bottom of a candle jar. What can I do with the 2 inches of candle wax left when the wick burns up?
By Shirley
You can buy wicks pretty cheaply at a craft store and I fill votive cups or small jelly jars with the remaining wax. It doesn't matter if it is the same color or not, but keep filling til you have a new 'jar candle'.
I use them for two things - if the candle is beeswax, I use it to make homemade furniture wax. If it is the petroleum kind, I pour it over my saved dryer lint to make fire starters.
After the wax has cooled pop it in the freezer, usually the wax will come out, I take this chunk of wax and rub it all over the wooden handles of my garden tools and let them sit in the sun it melts into the wood preserving it and my hands are very soft after using the tool from the wax.
I love scented candles, however there is much more candle left. Can anyone suggest to me what I can do with the rest of the wax? I am tired of throwing away my money.
By 1bigmama from SC
When my candles are all down and the wick is gone, then I put all the different scents into a crock pot and slowly melt them all together and either make more candles using containers, milk cartons with chunk ice or as a nice gift for friends that have fire places wrap string around a pine cones then dip it and before its dry sprinkle glitter. Then put in a basket with a pretty bow.
I use an electric candle warmer adding the candle that has lost it's wick until the candle wax melts, then I add a new wick and when it hardens the wick will be ready to light. They are available at Michael's and Hobby Lobby.
I always have candle wax left in the bottom of my candle jars that does not get used. It is such a waste to toss the wax. I do save the jars. What can I do to use it? I've tried buying wicks, but it doesn't really work well.
By Shirley from Shepherdsville, KY
I have one of those ceramic containers that are made for putting wax in the top and a tea light or votive underneath. The wax melts in its compartment and the scent goes through the room. There are special wax pieces made just for this but I use chunks of wax left over from candles.
You can use leftover wax and dryer lint to make fire starters. Pour it in a cardboard egg carton and cut up. You can light the cardboard or add a sliver of paper or wood to light.
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.
How do I re-use old wax to make new candles?
Cut the burned wicks off of your old candles. Cut or break the candles into smaller pieces if necessary. Melt in a double boiler over water heated to boiling, then turned down to simmer. Or you can use a coffee can immersed in a pot of simmering water, adding enough wax so the can sits firmly on the bottom of the pan. Be careful not to overheat the wax as it can catch fire.
As the wax melts, use tongs to remove the leftover wicks. Use new wicks you have purchased from the craft store and follow the instructions included with the wicks. Larger (in diameter) candles will require a thicker wick, so check to make sure the wicks you buy will work with the molds you plan to use.
Hint: Cover your drainboards with aluminum foil or several layers of newspaper before pouring the hot wax into the molds. As the wax in the molds cools, a sink hole will form around the wick, and you will need to add more hot wax. PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL when working with hot wax. Keep children away from the area until candles are completely cool.
I want to melt that wax down and put it back in the Glade candle holder. I have about 20 Glade candle holders that are about 1/2 way filled with wax, but cannot be used because the wick is burnt down.
By Jeanne
I have taken and cut/dug out all the old wax and I have an old crock pot and put it in that and heat it on low until all melted and then add a new wick to holder and carefully pour, using and old cup dip and pour back into the holder to let set. Wick needs to be kept straight and as not to float or roll over. Hope this is helpful.