Comments on: How can I reuse or recycle paraffin candles without making them into other candles?

By: Shaundra

Shaundra — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:44:46 +0000

I’m pretty sure the OP is looking for eco-friendly ways to use the wax…. burning paraffin candles releases harmful emissions into the air. I’m also curious as to how to be environmentally-aware when getting rid of paraffin wax.

By: Amber

Amber — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:25:12 +0000

You can remelt them and make luminaries out of them. Luminaries are made from candle wax, but are large enough to fit around a candle. You can embed leaves, flowers, and shells in them. Place a candle inside and they will glow, but the wax will not melt or burn. You can reuse them again and again with new candles.

By: Karlie

Karlie — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:29:04 +0000

Another thought I had was to use it as a carrier for an essential oil.

I have jar type candles and an electric warming plate to release the scent without the flame. I suppose you could put the wax in a jar with your favorite oil scents and let the heat move the smell into your space

By: Iain

Iain — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 10:18:36 +0000

Some cyclists use paraffin wax to lubricate their bicycle chains. It doesn’t lubricate as well as oil, but, unlike oil, dirt doesn’t stick to it, so dirt (and sand) doesn’t work into the innards of the chain, which is how chains get worn out. As I understand it, cyclists who use paraffin boil it, dip the chain in, take it out, and let it dry.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:02:47 +0000

Along the lines of isma -

I get a paper egg carton, then I collect lint from my dryer and stuff about 3/4 of each egg cup with the dryer lint. Then I melt the paraffin wax. Poor the wax into each egg cup mixing with the lint. As it cools I pull some of the lint up to form a wick, not too long, 1/4 inch or so. Let cool. Then cut the egg cups up into individual units, place them in my camping gear for starting camp fires. Also works well in the fireplace or beach fires.
Light the wick and this lint candle will get your fire going.
-Cheers

By: isma

isma — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:59:22 +0000

I use the rest of the candles of parafin for my fires I have outdoors. Often I can’t find wood that is dry enough due to rain. So a bit of parafin with wood makes a fierce and long burning fire. It does not smell if you don’t put to much in it,

Ps. Don’t cut branches of the trees, or even chop trees down. I only use the wood that lays on the ground. !!!

By: sam.

sam. — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 07:03:08 +0000

you could melt them into cubes for sculpting or you can use them to coat fruit so that they keep longer.

By: lisa

lisa — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:59:04 +0000

I put all of my old wax melts into a tall empty olive oil can. I heat the olive oil can up in a large pan of water on med high heat. I then dip pinecones and pine needles in the wax until they are covered with many layers of wax. then I put them in a basket and give to friends.

By: mercutiom

mercutiom — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:29:43 +0000

It may consume more energy than you want, but if you melt the paraffin down into liquid form, it works as a natural exfoliant. Of course you have to monitor the temperature pretty rigidly to ensure you don’t burn yourself.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:44:32 +0000

You can check if they are paraffin or not by the feel of the wax.

By: fuchsoid

fuchsoid — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:27:51 +0000

Unperfumed paraffin wax is good for sealing jars of jam, and you can re-use it.

By: Karlie

Karlie — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:08:36 +0000

You could use them to water proof something

You could also use them to put a finish on wood. Rub it in as is, or pour on the hot wax and buff it off when it’s cool.