Recycle Wax Scraps

Here's How:

1. Separate the scraps into an unscented/uncolored pile and a scented/colored pile.
2. Starting with the unscented/uncolored pile, trim off as much of the burned wick as possible. Remove any wick tabs or labels as well.
3. Brush or scrape off any dirt or dirty areas.
4. Put the pieces in your melt pot and melt them down.
5. Once melted, remove all of the wicks and wick tabs from the melted wax with a chopstick, tongs or fork.
6. If there is a lot of debris still in the wax, you can filter it through an old flour sifter, or other type of strainer.
7. Once the wax is clean, either pour it into a tub or pail for later use, or fragrance and color it and make candles as you normally would.
8. Now, if your wax IS colored and scented, you can still reuse it, you just have to figure in the extra color and scent. Mixes of colors will usually come out some shade of brown. Mixes of scents can be wonderfully complex, or just plain awful.

Tips:

1. Depending on where the scraps came from, you may not know exactly what sort of wax you actually have, or it may be a mixture of waxes. A best bet would be to pour the same kind of candles as the ones you're recycling...and, of course, be willing to test.
2. With colored or scented wax scraps, you can make torch candles, citronella candles, or use the wax to test out new molds or new pouring techniques.
3. Try to coordinate scented scraps into similar scent families (eg. citrus, floral, spicy) - that will help simplify the scent mixtures. You may even find a blend you really like!
4. When pouring new candles with new wax, put all of the little drips and spills and extra wax into a large container. You're recycling before the candles are even burned.

What You Need

• Scraps of wax or burned out candle bottoms
• Melt Pot
• Tongs, chopstick or fork
• A tub or pail to pour wax (if storing for later) or molds to repour new candles