How to Melt and Reuse Leftover Candle Wax

In this post you will learn how to melt down the leftover candle wax in your old candles and reuse it. There’s no reason to be throwing out perfectly good wax when there are multiple ways to put it to use around your house!

Reusing your old candle wax is great for a few reasons. First, it reduces waste. Instead of throwing out wax, find other ways to use it around your house. Wax is useful for practical as well as creative projects. Try fixing old shoelaces, making your own wax seals, or a citronella candle. See below for other suggestions!

Second, by reusing your old wax, you are also saving money on items you would typically buy new, such as wax melts or fire starter logs for your fireplace. Live more sustainably by making the most out of what you already have instead buying more.

Wax isn’t the only thing you’re getting more use out of. Once you have removed your wax for other projects, you also now have empty candle jars! These can be used for so many practical things. Our favorite is keeping pretty jars with lids for storing pantry items such as nuts. You can also use them in bathroom storage and organization.

What can you use leftover wax for?

1. Make homemade fire starters from leftover candle wax and other items around your home
2. Coffee logs for a heavenly smelling fire
3. Make your own wax seals for letters or personalized gifts
4. DIY Wax Melts
5. Fix your frayed shoelaces
6. Create a citronella candle with leftover wax and citronella oil
7. Make a new hodgepodge candle

Some like to polish wooden furniture with candle wax, but I wouldn’t recommend this unless you know exactly what type of wax you are using and all the ingredients within it. Some waxes are not as suited to wooden furniture, and you might just end up with a mess on your hands. So just be sure to do your research if you want to try anything of that sort!

Tools You May Need

Old Candle Jars with Leftover Wax

A Pot

An Old Towel

Butter Knife

How to Melt Wax From a Candle Without a Warmer

Before you can reuse your wax, you have to get it out of the candle itself. You do this by melting the wax enough to get it to float to the top of the candle. After that, it is easy to remove and use however you like.

CAUTION: If your candles are not in containers designed to withstand high heat such as a thin glass, the hot water can make the glass crack or even explode with the sudden change of temperature. Use caution and do not attempt this method if you are unsure of your container’s quality.

STEP 1: Make sure your old candles are in heat-resistant containers. Line them up on an old towel on your kitchen counter.

STEP 2: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Once it is boiling remove from heat.

STEP 3: Very carefully, pour some of the water into each candle. You do not want the water to go all the way to the rim to avoid the possibility that melted wax will drip onto your towel. Slowly, the hot water will melt the wax and it will float to the top of the water.

STEP 4: Wait for the water to cool and the wax to harden again. The timing of this depends on how much wax there is and the temperature of your water.

STEP 5: Once the water has cooled and the wax has hardened again, check if all of the wax has released to the top of the water. If it has, remove the wax. If there is still some wax in the bottom of the candle, repeat the process.

Notes

• Some wax is very stubborn, but you can almost always get it out after doing this process two or three times. If it is still not coming out, you can try scraping it out with a butter knife. We have only ever had one candle that refused to melt.
• Put an old towel that you don’t care for under the candles when you pour the water in so that if wax overflows, it doesn’t ruin your cabinets. We have done it in our sink (as you can see in the pictures), but you risk wax pouring into your drain, so we don’t recommend it. We regret our actions.
• The wick of the candle will still be in there during this step. You can remove the wick once you fully melt the wax to use in whatever way you have chosen. The directions for this are below.

How to Store Candle Wax

Store the candle wax either in Tupperware or a bag in a cool place. Avoid anywhere it could get hot and melt.

How to Melt Stored Candle Wax for Reuse

Once you have your wax removed, and you’re ready to use it in something else, here’s how to remelt it.

STEP 1: Pour a few inches of water into a pot and place it on medium heat, bringing it to a simmer.

STEP 2: Once simmering, place a heat proof glass bowl on top of the rim of the pan, not allowing it to actually touch the water.

STEP 3: Add the wax into the heat proof bowl, and allow it to melt slowly, stirring regularly. If you still have wicks in the wax, they can be removed once it is melted.

Once it is melted, it is ready to use in your new project! Have fun!

Notes

• If you are melting soy wax and you care for the aesthetic of what you are repurposing it for, avoid over stirring the wax as it can create discoloration and air bubbles.
• Make sure you keep a close watch on the wax as it melts. If your water is evaporating quickly and running low, you will need to add more.

Let us know what you used your melted wax for in the comments below!