Hello DIYHub family! Trust we’re all doing great and taking steps toward a fruitful week. Today, I’m excited to share a simple but rewarding DIY hack: how I turned a pile of old candle pieces, yes, what many would call trash into soothing scented candles.
The Backstory
A few days ago, while decluttering my room, I stumbled on a big nylon bag filled with candle pieces. Funny enough, I had been storing them for over a year, waiting for the “right” time to reuse them.
Now, before you wonder how I gathered so many scraps, here’s the gist: in 2023, my entire community in Nigeria was without power for almost a year because of a faulty transformer. We relied heavily on candles, rechargeable lamps, and sometimes a generator. That’s how my candle stash grew!
Instead of throwing them away, I finally decided to recycle them into something beautiful. And guess what? With just five simple steps, you can do the same!
What You’ll Need 🕯️
Leftover candle pieces
Four new candles (for their wicks)
Fragrance (perfume, essential oil, or spice like cloves)
A glass tumbler (or any heat-safe container)
Sticks and pegs
Step 1: Melt the Wax
Place your candle pieces into a pot. Add the new candles as well—you’ll need their wicks later. (If you already have spare wicks, skip adding new candles.)
Step 2: Use Low Heat
Melt everything over low flame. I used a gas burner, but if your fire can’t be adjusted, use the double boiler method: put water in a larger pot, bring it to a boil, then place your smaller pot with the candle pieces inside. Stir gently until fully melted.
Step 3: Add Color & Fragrance
Once melted, the wax should look smooth and watery. For color, I added some blue candles, which gave me a lovely sea-blue shade. For fragrance, I mixed in perfume and a few cloves. (Note: the melted wax may bubble when you add perfume—that’s normal.)
Step 4: Prep Your Wick & Glass
Using a stick, pull out the wicks from your melted new candles. Clean and dry your glass tumbler, then place a wick at the center. Hold it in place by laying two sticks across the glass top and clipping them together with a peg. Carefully pour the melted wax into the glass while keeping the wick steady. (I was nervous the glass would break, lol, but it didn’t!)
Step 5: Let It Set
Leave the candle to cool. I let mine sit overnight. Halfway through, I noticed a hollow forming in the middle, so I melted a bit more wax and filled it up. By morning, I had two beautiful homemade scented candles. The fragrance when they burn? Absolutely soothing!
And that’s it! Instead of tossing those candle scraps, you can give them a second life and make your space cozy at the same time.
Now I’m curious, have you ever tried recycling candles before? If yes, what fragrance or twist did you add? If not, would you love to give this a try? Share your thoughts and hacks in the comments I’d love to hear them!
Until next time, stay creative and have a blessed week ahead. 🌸