Source: wikiHow
There’s only one thing that could make your favorite candle even better—if it were your favorite color, too! Dyeing your candles allows you to customize them to suit any set of sensibilities. Start by melting an old candle or two on the stovetop in a double boiler, or use a block of paraffin wax to make your own candles from scratch.
Add a small amount of powdered or liquid candle dye, stirring in more pigment gradually until you achieve the desired shade. Once the wax is just the right color, pour it into an empty mold complete with a new wick and allow it to harden before burning.- 1 Pick out an old candle to upgrade. White and other light shades will allow the dye to show up better, yielding the most vibrant results. Since you’ll be melting them down, it will be easiest to work with plain container-less candles. If the candle you want to use is in a jar and tin, use a butter knife to scrape out the wax in chunks.[1]
- You can use multiple smaller candles to create one big candle, as long as they’re all made from the same type of wax.
- The candle you choose should not contain any other decorative elements, such as flowers, seashells, or glitter.
- Avoid using scented candles. Melting these down can affect the perfumes that have been added to the wax, causing them to take on an unpleasant fragrance.
- 2 Buy a few blocks of paraffin wax to make your own candles. If you’d prefer to mold a new candle from scratch, purchase a package of paraffin blocks. Paraffin is one of the easiest varieties of wax to melt down and recolor. Raw wax and other candle-making supplies can usually be found at arts and crafts stores.[2]
- Soy or beeswax chips may also be available, if you’re particular about the type of wax you use.
- While you’re doing your shopping, make sure you pick up enough uncut wicks for each candle to have at least one.
- 3 Set up a double boiler to heat the wax. If you don’t own a double boiler, fill a large pot halfway up with water and begin warming it over medium-high heat. Then, situate a second heat-safe container, like a glass mixing bowl or measuring cup, inside the first so that it hovers just above the water bath. The pot will transfer heat to the smaller container without letting it get too intense.[3]
- You can also use a metal coffee can or similar container if you’d rather not have to clean candle wax out of your cookware later.
- 4 Cut the candles or wax blocks into pieces. Use a sharp knife to break the wax up into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes or shavings. This will increase its overall surface area, helping it melt faster. The smaller the pieces, the less…
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