Candle Wax or Making a Candle Out of Leftover Wax

Candle wax scraps... What to do with them. I don't know about you but I hate throwing them away especially the ones I really enjoy the scent of.

You could do a couple of things. One is to go out and buy wicks for votive-size candles. But the easiest is to make wax melts for your wax warmer because you need only melt and pour the wax.

To make candles:
1) Keep a yogurt container or two, wash and dry (make sure they're good and dry) then spray the inside with Pam or rub the inside with vegetable oil on a paper towel.

2) (If you're doing wax melts, ignore steps 2 through 3a) Tie a nut or bolt or washer to the end of the wick, drop the wick with the nut (or bolt or whatever) to the bottom of the yogurt container and snip the wick a couple of inches above the top ridge. Tie the end you snipped to a skewer.

3) Now lay the skewer across the top of the yogurt container. Is the nut you tied to the wick touching or near the bottom of the container? If not, fix it so it does.

3a) Is there a lot of slack in the wick when the nut touches the bottom? If so, fix it so it doesn't.

For wax melts or votive:

4) Melt your wax. You MUST use a double boiler to melt the wax otherwise you're going to have scorched wax or a fire. I use a fondue pot as a double boiler. You could also use a deep skillet or a stew pot, add water, insert the pot containing the wax into the water. I fill the fondue pot about half way up then I put my wax into an old sauce pan I no longer use and put the pan containing the wax into the water. You could also use an empty, clean vegetable can to melt the wax in.

I set the temperature to simmer. If you're doing this on your stove, still put the temp to simmer. You don't want to get your wax too hot.

Then wait. Once the wax is melted, pour it into your yogurt container. Center the wick... Wait several hours... Voila! You have another candle.

If you're making wax melts, everything is the same except you won't need a wick. Simply melt the wax and pour into an oiled container. When it has cooled pop it out, put it in a votive holder or suitable container to sit on the wax burner.

Mix scents... cinnamon and vanilla... rose and chamomille. Mix colors... white and yellow... yellow and green... blue and red... red and yellow... green and blue... It's all fun.

Most importantly don't be scared that you'll screw up. How can you? You've already spent the money on the candle(s). Unused left over wax is money thrown in the trash.