Save the bottoms to used candles and recycle them into homemade ice candles. The different colors and scents make a unique one-of-a-kind candle. These unusual candles are fun to display and make great gifts! Ice candles have holes that form throughout the candle by the placement of ice in the candle mold.
Things You’ll Need:
Paper milk container
Scissors
Used candle bottoms
Old heavy pan
Wooden spoon
Taper candle
Crushed ice
Hot pad
Optional: Broken or small crayons, essential oil
Instructions:
Step 1 – Cut the top off a paper milk container. Clean the inside and allow to air dry. Cut any additional amount off the container to achieve the desired candle height.
Step 2 – Place the used candle bottoms in an old heavy pan and melt. Stir periodically. Keep an eye on the wax to prevent it from burning. Wax should be melted and kept between the temperatures of 170 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a candle thermometer if you prefer.
Optional – Add wax coloring and/or essential oil during the melting process. Use up to five drops of essential oil. Add broken or small crayons two or three at a time. Wax colors easily so be conservative with the addition of the crayons.
Step 3 – Drop a small amount of wax in the bottom center of the paper milk container. Place the taper candle on the wax and hold until the wax hardens.
Step 4 – Fill the paper milk container with crushed ice. Make sure to hold the taper candle to prevent it from moving.
Step 5 – Carefully pour the melted wax into the paper milk container. Allow the wax to dry 24 hours.
Step 6 – Pour any excess water from the top of the candle. Place the paper milk container over the sink. Tear the outside paper away from the candle.
As a precautionary measure, remember that a wax fire should be put out with baking soda or a fire extinguisher. Never use water!