Recycling Old Candles

Do you have a favorite candle that the wick has burned completely down? Recycle it the easy way. It will involve a minimal expense, but it is well worth the investment.

Materials

• old candle
• variety of jars
• candle or mug warmer

Directions:

The wick in my favorite candle was completely burned down. The candle was a huge 5 inch one and the best smelling candle I had ever had. It was really expensive and was given to me as a gift. I couldn't bear to part with it so it set on the back of a shelf. I had seen how to reset the wick and remake the candle and had planned to do that someday, but never got around to it.

Then one day in the local discount store I saw a candle warmer. It is just a mini hot plate or coffee mug warmer. It cost less than $5. So I bought it. I came home and broke off pieces of that favorite candle, put them in a canning jar, and set it on the warmer. Presto! Problem solved. The wax melted, giving off that wonderful aroma. I had my favorite candle back with almost no effort. There is no smoke from an extinguished candle and it seems to last much longer.

I discovered that smaller jars like jelly jars or pimento jars work best. If you use a pint sized jar and fill it completely it takes a long time for the wax to melt completely. Another advantage to the candle warmer is the removal of the danger involved with a flame. You can use the warmer with those expensive candles from the specialty store and have them last longer, too.

By Kim D