All the DIY steps to transforming old used candles to new ones!

I love the look of candle glow...the way the flame flickers and how it gives that warm, soft feeling that only candles can give. Candlelight is just perfect on a hot summer's night when sitting outside with the people close to you, soaking in a bubble bath, or even just enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal. It may sound corny but it really gives an extra special feeling to the moment.

So yes, I go through a few candles (actually a lot) and love it when I see candles on sale or you get them as gifts.

The only problem is, that I end with lots of used candles that have burnt down and with only the wax remaining. Especially the candles in containers, they only burn down to a certain level and then there isn't enough flame to give a good glow. I really hate having to throw those candles away, and seeing that I am now becoming more thrifty and recycling more, I have found a way to repurpose all those old, used candles.

....making old, used candles into new ones! (....and done very cheaply 😉 )

I went to my local craft shop and purchased a packet of candlewick. The best part about this is that you can cut the exact amount of wick that you need (and there was plenty in the packet.)

Then I 'shopped my home' and gathered all the bits to make my 'new candles'. I found an old ice-cube tray that was made of silicone (it is like flexible rubber), toothpicks,  some alfoil (aluminum foil), and an old saucepan.

...grubby candles, aren't they!....

DIY Steps - How to make new candles from old ones!

What I needed to do was to melt the old, used candle wax, so I could pour it out of the jars.

Now if you are going to do this ....DO NOT put these glasses in the microwave. Each one of these candles has a wick that has a base made out of metal, so putting them in the microwave be very dangerous and it is not safe for your microwave (and everyone near it).

So I filled a saucepan with water and then placed the old, used candles in the glass jars, into a saucepan.

I then slowly brought the water to a boil, so that the wax would gradually start to melt and become a liquid. The tip here is to make sure you don't accidentally add water to the jars,  as this will make your candles have bubbles and it will make them 'crackle' when they burn.

While the candle wax is melting, I went ahead and made the wicks for the candles. 

Step 1

Tie a knot in one end of the wick and cut a length...

Step 2

Using a piece of aluminum foil, wrap this around the knot tightly and this will make the base, hold the wick down in the melted wax. (You can add two pieces of foil to make it heavier if you need.)...

Step 3

Then tie the other end to a toothpick. It should look something like this...

...and then I hung them in the ice-cube tray.

Make sure the toothpicks don't touch each other as they could fall in when the hot wax is being poured in.

When the wax has melted and you can see the old wicks, simply take out the wicks with tongs.

Using the tongs again, carefully lift out the jars with the melted wax and place them on a surface covered with foil...just in case of any drips. 

Then carefully pour the melted wax into the ice-cube tray that have the wicks in them. The toothpicks are there to keep the wicks straight and in the middle of the candle.

Let them cool and in the meantime, while the jars are still warmish, place them in hot soapy water and give them a good wash to get rid of any remaining wax.

I am always surprised at how clean the jars/glasses come up! 

When the candles are set, pull the sides of the ice-cube tray so that it loosens the candles and simply pull it out by the toothpick.

Snip off the top of the wax to remove the toothpick. Another tip is to make sure you don't have a long wick,  as this is what causes the black smoke on candles and makes your candle jars really 'grotty' (...found that one out the hard way!) 

Then you will have heaps of gorgeous, petite candles, that cost you not much at all...

You can decorate the outside patio area and use them like tea-light candles, or just like in the movies,  decorate your bathroom with lots of candlelight for the ultimate bubble bath. (I recommend this one! 😃) 

Oh! I also add a little bit of bling to the jars and use them in the bathroom to hold all sorts of bits and pieces - makeup brushes, toothbrushes. I have also used the jars to make little succulent pot plants...but that is for another post. 

Ahhhh....relaxing!! 

😃

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