Can You Reuse Wax Melts and Old Candle Wax : 9 Easy Ways

Wax melts and candles are a popular way to add warmth and ambiance to our homes, but what do you do with them once they have melted down or burned out?

Instead of tossing them in the trash, there are many creative and practical ways to reuse old wax melts. 

We will explore 9 easy ways to reuse leftover wax, mention types of leftover wax melts, and tell how to benefit from the remaining wax.

How Many Times Can You Reuse Wax Melts?

The number of times you can reuse leftover wax depends on several factors, including the type, the quality, and the size of the wax remnants, and, of course, your personal preference for fragrance strength. 

In general, you can use old wax melt for candles multiple times before the fragrance dissipates completely. 

Top Seven Types of Wax Melts: Choose the Perfect Wax Warmer

There are seven popular types of leftover candle wax available.

1. Soy old wax is made from soybean oil, which is a renewable resource and is considered more eco-friendly than traditional paraffin wax. 
2. Paraffin wax melts are made from petroleum with a strong scent throw and are commonly used in many commercial wax tarts. 
3. Bees’ leftover wax is eco-friendly and derived from bees with a long burn time and natural scent. 
4. Coconut wax is made from the oil of coconuts. Coconut wax tarts are known for their clean burn, excellent scent throw, and sustainability.
5. Blended wax ends are made by blending different types of waxes to create a unique combination of properties. 
6. Fragrance oils leftover wax are scented with a few drops of fragrance oils, which are derived from natural plant sources. 
7. Customized wax melts are custom-made or hand-poured by artisans, allowing for unique and personalized scents, colors, and designs.

How to Melt Leftover Wax to Reuse

Here are three methods you can use for old wax melts for reuse:

The Melting Method

Materials: 

• old melts
• a wax warmer (double boiler or a heat-safe container and a pot)
• heat source (stove or hot plate)
• spoon or spatula
• mold or container for pouring dripping melted wax into

Steps:

1. Remove any candle wick, metal parts, or debris.
2. If using a double boiler, fill the bottom pot with water and place it on the heat source. If using a heat-safe container and a pot, fill the pot with water and place the container inside.
3. Place the candle wax in the top pot of the wax warmer.
4. Gently heat the water in the bottom pot or the pot with the heat-safe container on low to medium heat, stirring the wax occasionally with a spoon or spatula.
5. Once everything has melted completely, carefully pour hot wax into a mold or container.
6. Let the same wax cool and solidify completely before using it for a new candle or other craft projects.

The Freezing Method

Materials:

• candle wax
• plastic bag or plastic wrap
• rolling pin or hammer
• mold or container for pouring hot wax into

Steps:

1. Place wax in ice cube trays and wrap it tightly.
2. Place the ice cube tray in the freezer for a few hours or overnight until it becomes brittle and hard.
3. Remove it from the tray.
4. Using a rolling pin or hammer, crush the frozen wax into smaller pieces.
5. Place the crushed wax pieces in a heat-safe container or mold.
6. Heat the container or mold with the crushed wax in a microwave or double boiler, stirring occasionally, until the wax has melted completely.
7. Carefully pour the melted remnants into a mold or container, and add a wick.
8. Let your creation cool and solidify.

The Boiling Water Method

Materials:

• candle wax
• heat-safe container
• pot or saucepan
• water
• spoon or spatula
• a new wick
• mold or container for pouring high-temperature wax into

Steps:

1. Place wax in a heat-safe container.
2. Fill a larger pan or saucepan with water and bring it to a boil.
3. Place the heat-safe container with the candle wax into the pot or saucepan, making sure the water level is below the rim of the container to prevent water from getting into the wax.
4. Stir the wax occasionally with a spoon or spatula as it melts.
5. Once the wax has melted completely, carefully remove the heat-safe container from the pot or saucepan using oven mitts or tongs.
6. Pour the melted candle ends into a mould or container.
7. Let the melted wax cool and solidify.

Note: When melting candle wax, always use caution and follow appropriate safety measures. Unlike candles made of paraffin, wax candles can be stored in a cool place.

Be careful to avoid direct contact with hot wax and hot surfaces, as they can cause burns.

9 Ways to Reuse Remelted Wax

#1. Making firestarters: Dip pine cones, covering them evenly. Wait till the wax solidifies and use them as starters for camping or bonfires. You can also fill a paper egg carton with wax, dryer lint, and essential oil to create egg carton firestarters.

#2. Make a new candle: Melt down old candle wax, add essential oils, and pour it into a new container with a new wick to create a brand-new candle. You can use the same types as you like.

#3. Make drawers and sippers move smoothly: Rubbing wax along the tracks of sticky drawers, windows, and teeth of zippers helps them slide more smoothly.

#4. Slip and slide: Rub a small piece of wax on the bottom of a sled to make it glide more easily on snow or ice and get rid of sticky snow due to stick-proof coating. 

#5. Preserve bronze or copper: Use a soft cloth to rub a thin layer of old wax melts onto bronze or copper items to help prevent oxidation and preserve their natural shine.

#6. Easy beading: If you enjoy making jewelry, you can use the melted wax to create a barrier on the end of a string or thread to make it easier to thread beads without them slipping off.

#7. Seal cracks in your home: Melt wax and use it to seal small cracks or gaps in windows, doors, or other areas of your home to prevent drafts and improve insulation.

#8. DIY projects: Use old wax as a medium for creating unique and textured art pieces. 

#9. Waterproof paper: Rub a thin layer of wax cubes onto the paper to create a waterproof barrier.

Benefits of Reusing Candle Ends

Cost-effective: Reusing leftover candle wax can save you money as you can continue to use them multiple times instead of purchasing new ones. 

Eco-friendly: Reusing homemade wax melts is a sustainable practice as it reduces waste. 

Customizable scents: You can create your candle with unique scents or your favorite fragrance by combining different essential oils. 

Convenience: You can easily melt and reuse wax whenever you want to freshen up your space. 

Versatility: You can liquefy wax cubes in a wax warmer, use them in potpourri, or even make your scented candles with them. 

Reduced chemical exposure: Some commercially available used wax may contain harmful chemicals, and reusing old wax can reduce your exposure to these chemicals.

Resource conservation: Reusing leftover candle wax conserves resources such as energy and materials that are used in the production and transportation of new wax melts.

What is the Best Way to Store Wax Melts?

There are several effective ways to store old wax to keep them fresh and ready for use. Here are some recommendations:

1. Airtight containers such as glass jars or plastic containers with airtight lids.
2. Ziplock bags (squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing them). 
3. Original packaging.
4. Cool (not freezing), dry places like a pantry or a cupboard.
5. Keep scented pouches separated to prevent them from mingling and affecting each other’s scents.

FAQ

Conclusion 

You can easily repurpose old wax and scented wax creatively and practically. From making new candles and scented pieces to creating fire starters, wax seals, and everyday items of different shapes, there are numerous options for reusing new melts.

Not only does this help reduce waste and save money, but it also allows you to add a personal touch to your home decor and other projects in small spaces year-round. 

So, the next time you have leftover wax melts or old candle wax, don’t throw them away. Instead, keep them in a glass container, get creative, and find a wax melter and new ways to reuse candle jars too!