Once a necessity, candles are now either used as a luxury item or emergency equipment.
However, despite the evolved usage, there is still a wide variety of candles available in the market.
Most of these candles are made of paraffin wax, beeswax, soy wax, and coconut wax.
In this article, we will look at various forms of the safest method of disposing of candles, i.e., by reusing them before looking into other disposal methods.
We will look into methods of reusing different waxes by category.
How to Dispose of Beeswax Candles?
Beeswax is found in beehives constructed by honeybees. Since it’s a natural substance, it’s important to recycle it at least once.
Burning beeswax candles in a candle holder can make collecting wax later a little difficult. However, burning them on a leveled surface makes the job easy.
You can also place parchment paper or a cotton cloth under the candle holder.
Hardened wax can easily be peeled off from such materials, which can make reuse or disposal easy.
Once the wax is collected, it can be stored in an airtight jar for reuse. Make sure to keep the jar in a cool space away from sunlight to keep the wax safe.
Storing wax in a cool space also makes sure that it can be reused after a long time. You can then reuse wax for the following:
Leather Goods
Reusing beeswax as a leather polish is one of the best methods to dispose of it off.
Natural beeswax is an excellent polish for all grades of leather. You can use it on bags, boots, jackets, or other goods.
It creates a layer that fills the wear and tears on the leather and adds shine to its surface.
Natural beeswax also protects the leather from humid weather or sunlight.
Regularly polishing leather goods with beeswax can make your leather goods and accessories last a long time.
Warming up the beeswax slightly before applying it to leather can make it more effective.
Shoe Polish
Beeswax can also be reused as shoe polish for shoes made of other than leather.
You can melt the beeswax and add it to another shoe police to give your shoes extra shine.
You can also apply warm wax directly onto the shoe surfaces. However, make sure to only apply a little at a time.
Foot Creams
While beeswax is a common ingredient in many creams and lotions for different body parts, we don’t recommend reusing beeswax for anywhere other than feet.
You can melt the beeswax on a double boiler, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to the melted beeswax, and mix it thoroughly.
Transfer the beeswax mixture into an airtight jar and let I cool down before storing it in your bathroom cabinet.
You don’t have to warm this foot cream every time you want to use it either.
Just take some in your palm and rub it between both palms before applying it on cracked heels.
New Candles
You can reuse the wax to create more candles. All you’ll need for this purpose is some wick.
You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to melted wax before transferring it to a mold.
Make sure to keep the wick standing straight until the new candle sets.
Lubricant for Hinges
Natural beeswax can cure all the squeaky door and window hinges in your home.
Just melt it and apply it with a brush over the hinges. Doors and windows will stop squeaking, opening, and closing smoothly.
How to Dispose of Soy Wax Candles?
Soy wax candles are the easiest to dispose of. When burst, natural soy wax evaporates into the air. It is completely safe to inhale soy wax vapors.
You can dispose of soy wax simply by burning it.
If you don’t want to burn an unscented candle, you can melt the candle jar on a double boiler, add some drops of essential oil of your preference, and mix the wax well before letting it set.
This will turn an unscented soy wax candle into a scented one.
You can use the same technique to change the scent of an already scented candle. Add essential oils of a complementary scent to create a completely new scent.
You can then use this scent in spa baths or a candlelight dinner. You can also burn it while relaxing and reading your favorite book.
If you don’t want to use a soy wax candle at all and are looking for ways to dispose of it safely, you can give it away.
Drop it off at your nearby goodwill or ask family and friends if they want to take it.
You’d be surprised to know how many people would love to dispose of the candle for you!
How to Dispose of Paraffin Wax Candles?
Paraffin wax can cause some health concerns. Hence we don’t recommend simply discarding it away as it can harm others.
However, some safe methods of disposing of paraffin wax by reusing it are:
Making Wax Figurines
Paraffin wax melts at a relatively higher temperature than beeswax and soy wax.
Therefore, it is suitable to be turned into wax figurines by people who live in cooler climates.
You can get creative by sculpting the figurines yourself, or you can also use molds if you wish to replicate a particular shape.
You can also make figurines in different colors. Be sure to only dye paraffin wax using special paraffin wax dyes.
Wood Polish
Since paraffin wax has a high melting point, it can be readily used as a wood polish without damaging the wood.
Paraffin wax is a soft wax despite its high melting point. You can use it as a wood polish by wiping the wood with it directly.
Polish and protect your expensive wooden furniture and accessories
Natural Coat
Melted paraffin wax can be used to coat various natural décor items.
Many people like to display pine cones, torn branches, or dried flowers and leaves. Paraffin wax makes for an excellent natural coat to preserve these items.
You can use paraffin wax for this purpose too. All you’ll need to do is to melt the wax into a double boiler.
Once it’s melted, dip your décor piece into the wax and make sure that wax gets into all nooks and crannies.
When you are confident that the wax has coated all sides, take out the décor piece and let it dry.
Once it’s dried, repeat the process two to three times more to ensure the wax has completely coated the piece.
Fire Starters
Paraffin wax makes an excellent natural fire starter. Freshly broken twigs or damp wood can be difficult to burn in a bonfire or a fire pit.
However, adding a small amount of wax on wood can help it burn quickly and efficiently.
Top Coat for Nails
Paraffin wax can be used as a natural top coat for nails.
However, excessive use, especially on broken or sensitive skin, can cause severe health complications.
If you want to reuse paraffin wax on nails, consider consulting with a dermatologist first.
How to Dispose of Candle Jars?
Candle jars are much easier to dispose of than wax. Most candle jars are either made of glass or tin.
To thoroughly clean a glass jar, melt any remaining wax in it with the double boiler method.
You can reuse the cleaned jars for various purposes. Cleaned glass jars make excellent storage jars for bathroom cabinets.
You can store cotton swabs, cotton balls, makeup brushes, toothbrushes, and hair ties in them.
If you have many jars of the same size and shape, it can help your bathroom look organized.
Both candle and tin jars can also be reused in home offices.
You can neatly and safely store small items such as rubber bands, magnets, paper clips, thumbnails, etc. You can also store crayons, pencils, and pens in large jars.
Lastly, you can also use candle jars of various sizes to organize your kitchen. Make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect all the jars before storing spices in them directly.
However, you can skip on the direct storage and still make use of candle jars. Store packed items such as small chocolates, candy, or cookies packs in such jars.
If you don’t want to use them, you can also give them to your local charity or drop them off at a recycling facility.
Many candle brands also run recycling programs for their candle jars. You can always reach out to the candle manufacturer and send them the empty jars.
You can also drop cleaned jars at a local daycare center. Most daycares keep small items such as pencils, crayons, erasers, etc., for kids.
Cleaned glass or tin jars can both help such facilities to store and organize various small items.
Finally, make sure to never pour down wax down a drain or throw it into a trash can. Wax is a flammable item and can start a fire if disposed of carelessly.
It can also clog drains and sewage pipes as it quickly hardens on cooling down.
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