Stop Tossing Almost-Empty Candles & Try This Dollar Tree DIY To Give Them New Life
Candles are always exciting to use at the start, but once you've burned through most of the wax, they likely end up in the trash or collecting dust on your shelf. Instead of throwing your almost-empty candles away, you can repurpose the remaining wax into adorable wax melts. All you have to do is liquify the wax from your candle jars, pour the liquid into silicone molds from a dollar store, and wait for it to harden.
Wax melts are wickless candles that are heated on a wax burner and can emit a stronger scent than traditional candles. This crafty trick allows you to get every last drop out of your favorite candles and fill your home with the fragrances you love. A short video tutorial by Glue Guns & Roses demonstrates the step by step process of this easy DIY. It doesn't require any crafting experience and the only tools required are your silicone molds, which will cost you no more than a few dollars.
Once you remove candle wax from the container to make your melts, you can also reuse the candle jar. For example, you can transform your old candle holder into a gorgeous planter by filling it with soil and decorating the outside with fabric and twine. There are many creative ways to give an old candle a new lease on life without letting any of its parts go to waste.
How to repurpose almost-empty candles into wax melts
As demonstrated by Glue Guns & Roses, you can use products like the Crafter's Square Silicone Mold or the Surefresh Silicone Honeycomb Ice Cube Tray for this craft, both of which cost $1.25 each from Dollar Tree. The store's silicone molds come in a variety of shapes, which you can use to create themed wax melts.
Melt the remaining wax in your jarred candles by placing them in a pot of water on the stovetop for 25 to 30 minutes on low to medium heat. Once the wax has been liquified, pour it into your molds of choice. You can also combine the liquid from multiple candles into one mold to create a unique scent blend. The final step is waiting for the wax to harden, which typically takes at least 24 hours. However, it is best to wait two or three days before burning to give it enough time to set completely.
When you are ready to use your wax melt, place it on a wax warmer or above a heat source, such as a tea light burner, and enjoy the scent as it fills your home. You can also package these items as a gift set and give them to someone you love. Now that you've repurposed the wax, you can upcycle and reuse your candle jars to transform them into planters, storage containers, and adorable home decor.