I am obsessed with candles, not sure about you. They make your house immediately rather cosy and smell so wonderful. By now you may have figured that I go through a LOT of candles. After beginning to feel bad about discarding all the jars, I started accumulating them in hopes of finding use for them some day. After some Googling, I realized how much I enjoy the 100% American Soybean wax from the venerable Midwestern Swan Creek Candle Company—clean burning, lead-free. Online here you may get their candle refill wax kits. This is far more environmentally friendly and reasonably priced than always buying fresh. From wiping out your old jars to replacing them with fresh wax, I will guide you through methodically.
1. Gathers Used Jars And Heats Water
I made great use of my very simple electric kettle Should you not have an electric kettle, you can boil water on the stove. Pro tip: soak your jars in hot water before this stage if you wish to remove old labels from them; they should come right off.
2. Pour Hot Water Into Every Jar, Then Fill At Least Half Way
The wax will melt finally and begin to float to the top.
3. Wait For The Wax To Set Then Pop It Out
While soaking in the water, the old wick will occasionally simply come out; other times it calls for a bit more elbow grease. Save it if it seems like enough wax might be used for a smaller candle (and no char bits like in this picture). You may turn it down into tea lights or votives. Like any other dish, wash off your jars and dry completely.
4. Measure Every Jar And Hot Glue Suitable Sized Wicks Accordingly
Swan Creek bases wicks sold on the width of your jar on Measuring your jars before you order can enable you to make sure you have the right wicks. This guarantees a fair burn. Wrap the additional wick length around with a skewer (or chopstick or such object). As the wax solidifies, this maintains the wick centered.
5. Melt your wax
Swan Creek wax comes in a container designed for microwaves. It could not be easier literally! Definitely place it in a glass dish just to be safe should you spill some. Till completely melted, run a minute at a time microwave. To assist melt any final tough bits, you may always swirl with a wooden spoon or one of those skewers.
Read Also: Stylish Upcycle Candle Jars Project
6. Pour Melted Wax Into Prepared Jars; Then, Wait!
To make pouring into the candle jars simpler without spilling, I put some wax into a tiny, plastic, flexible cup. If you wish an easy cleanup and are concerned about spills, line your surface with wax paper!
7. Cut Your Wicks To Around 1'4" After The Wax Has Totally Cured; They Will Be Ready Right Now!
Keep in mind that additional wax from the above stated old candles. Melt from Swan Creek or a throw-away plastic cup, then continue the same procedure only dropping it into the tub! Then give yourself back-off credit for being so creative :)
Note: Do not try making candles in your 400 square foot studio apartment with all the windows and doors closed; else, your apartment and everything you own will smell like maple syrup for at least six months (if not longer) and you will then go to work every day wondering if your colleagues think you have some strong pancake breakfast ritual every morning. Not that I can directly verify any of that.
Ola Hansen 
I am obsessed with candles, not sure about you. They make your house immediately rather cosy and smell so wonderful. By now you may have figured that I go through a LOT of candles. After beginning to feel bad about discarding all the jars, I started accumulating them in hopes of finding use for them some day. After some Googling, I realized how much I enjoy the 100% American Soybean wax from the venerable Midwestern Swan Creek Candle Company—clean burning, lead-free. Online here you may get their candle refill wax kits. This is far more environmentally friendly and reasonably priced than always buying fresh. From wiping out your old jars to replacing them with fresh wax, I will guide you through methodically.
1. Gathers Used Jars And Heats Water
I made great use of my very simple electric kettle Should you not have an electric kettle, you can boil water on the stove. Pro tip: soak your jars in hot water before this stage if you wish to remove old labels from them; they should come right off.
2. Pour Hot Water Into Every Jar, Then Fill At Least Half Way
The wax will melt finally and begin to float to the top.
3. Wait For The Wax To Set Then Pop It Out
While soaking in the water, the old wick will occasionally simply come out; other times it calls for a bit more elbow grease. Save it if it seems like enough wax might be used for a smaller candle (and no char bits like in this picture). You may turn it down into tea lights or votives. Like any other dish, wash off your jars and dry completely.
4. Measure Every Jar And Hot Glue Suitable Sized Wicks Accordingly
Swan Creek bases wicks sold on the width of your jar on Measuring your jars before you order can enable you to make sure you have the right wicks. This guarantees a fair burn. Wrap the additional wick length around with a skewer (or chopstick or such object). As the wax solidifies, this maintains the wick centered.
5. Melt your wax
Swan Creek wax comes in a container designed for microwaves. It could not be easier literally! Definitely place it in a glass dish just to be safe should you spill some. Till completely melted, run a minute at a time microwave. To assist melt any final tough bits, you may always swirl with a wooden spoon or one of those skewers.
Read Also: Stylish Upcycle Candle Jars Project
6. Pour Melted Wax Into Prepared Jars; Then, Wait!
To make pouring into the candle jars simpler without spilling, I put some wax into a tiny, plastic, flexible cup. If you wish an easy cleanup and are concerned about spills, line your surface with wax paper!
7. Cut Your Wicks To Around 1'4" After The Wax Has Totally Cured; They Will Be Ready Right Now!
Keep in mind that additional wax from the above stated old candles. Melt from Swan Creek or a throw-away plastic cup, then continue the same procedure only dropping it into the tub! Then give yourself back-off credit for being so creative :)
Note: Do not try making candles in your 400 square foot studio apartment with all the windows and doors closed; else, your apartment and everything you own will smell like maple syrup for at least six months (if not longer) and you will then go to work every day wondering if your colleagues think you have some strong pancake breakfast ritual every morning. Not that I can directly verify any of that.