Candles... how to stop wasting so much

[justgeton]

I have a couple of scented candles where the wick has burnt down to the bottom leaving a hole down the centre of the wax. There's loads left wasted which seems a shame.

Has anyone found a way to either avoid this, or is melting them and finding a new wick possible?

You have to burn them the first time so the wax melts all the way to the edge....or each time you light it following that the candle will become more narrow.

I don't know how to stop that but sometimes i put the hob on low. Then turn it off but put the candle on for a short while to release scent.

Yes, I've melted candles to make new ones. I've just used ordinary string for a wick and it's worked fine. You need to use a bit of melted wax to stick the wick to the bottom of your container, then tie the wick to a cocktail stick or skewer you can rest across the top of the container to keep it taut while the wax sets.

Definitely burn to the edges on the first go.

I think i read somewhere, to put them in the freezer first, Then trim the wick down as well. The first burn is important as Agnes says above.

I usually melt down candles to make new ones. I ordered wicks off amazon. I usually save up a few and then do a layered candle with all the leftover wax in an old glass (or empty candle jar).

Do you have a wax melts burner?

I put the scented candle jars into some hot water (only a little to heat the unused wax from the outside) then you can remove the wax easily. Usually I have to cut it into pieces to be able to remove it from the jar.

Then I use the pieces in a wax melts burner as you would with regular wax melts, I find that actually it often smells stronger than it did as a candle! 👍

@beautyisfoundwithin

Do you have a wax melts burner?

I put the scented candle jars into some hot water (only a little to heat the unused wax from the outside) then you can remove the wax easily. Usually I have to cut it into pieces to be able to remove it from the jar.

Then I use the pieces in a wax melts burner as you would with regular wax melts, I find that actually it often smells stronger than it did as a candle! 👍

Good idea... I do have an oil burner.. I'll have a go with that. Thank you

You need good candle management! Trim the wick and make sure you burn all the way to the edge every time so all the wax is liquid.

There was a post about this on style board the other day. You can read my foil solution - it really works! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4048137-Tunnelling-candles-help-title-edited-by-MNHQ

Candies have a ‘memory’ if you don’t do the first burn long enough then each time you light it it will ‘tunnel’ you need to make sure it melts the whole way across the top the first time.

I’ve heard that if you cover the top with tin foil then it burns all the way down.

[quote MooMinCow]There was a post about this on style board the other day. You can read my foil solution - it really works! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4048137-Tunnelling-candles-help-title-edited-by-MNHQ[/quote]
Oo thank you.

I think I may be a bit beyond saving these but will definitely remember this for any others.

I pour hot water in and the wax rises to the top. Once it's gone cold and has set I take the wax and use it in a wax burner. I saw a vid on YouTube about it.

@justgeton you're welcome!

Previous posters are right in saying that you need to burn a new candle right to the edge to prevent 'tunnelling'. I think I read an article that said you need to burn for an hour per each inch diameter of the candle.
I often find an evening is not long enough to start a new, big candle as I don't stay up very late. I switched to Yankee votives as they're a good size for a short evening burn. I save my big ones for a long burn in the day.

I bought 50 wicks for about £2 on eBay. Just re-melt and reform. I've done it a few times, combining candles too, chilling each one as I go and creating a multiple layered, smell changing candle.