Make Your Own Candles – Clean Up
You have decided that you want to make your own candles. I think that is wonderful! Here is what you are going to need to get started in the candle making craft:
Wax Waste Container – Unless you want to make a plumber very wealthy, and yourself a bit poorer, then don’t ever pour wax down your drain. It will harden inside your pipes and can get completely blocked. Even a little bit of wax will stick to the side of your pipes; and it will build up over time. Rather, use a container to collect all of the waste. This container does not have to be fancy, just able to withstand heat – a large used food can works. (If you are a cook, then you probably already have this habit, because you separate melted animal fat until it cools, and then dispose of it once it is in solid form.) You could even use the bottom half of a milk carton. Don’t use a plastic container unless you know that it can hold up under heat.
Fine Mesh Strainer – The water in the outer pan of your double boiler is going to get some wax into it. So when you are finished with your candlemaking session, you should let the pot of water cool to room temperature. At that time, the wax particles will have solidified. Pour the water through a strainer to collect the solid wax before pouring the water down your drain.
Flat plastic scrapers – for scraping dried wax off surfaces. Plastic is preferred since it won’t scratch harder surfaces. A bowl scraper that is sold for baking is appropriate to use.
Cookie sheet and disposable towels – For cleaning the utensils. Layer the disposable towels on a cookie sheet. After you have scraped off as much wax as you can from the utensils, then set them on the towels. Put the cookies sheet in the oven and set the temperature at 250 F (120 C). After about 15 minutes, check them. The molten wax should have dropped onto the towels. You may need to turn the utensils over if molten wax is pooling on the top surface. Wait 5 more minutes and then remove them. You need to watch this process carefully, because you do not want anything to start scorching or catch on fire. You simply want the melted wax to be absorbed into the towels.
Goo-Gone, Citra-solve, or related solvent. You may need this to dissolve any wax spots on the floor or carpet that you cannot remove by scraping.
Small metal containers and bags. – for collecting and then storing clean was for re-use. Use the metal containers to collect the liquid wax. When it has cooled, then remove the wax from the container (just like you would remove wax from a mold) and put it into a clean bag for storage. Now, for the most important part of this process: Write down exactly what that wax is. Include wax type and source; additives and their concentrations; dye name, source, and its concentration; and scent used, its source and concentration. Writing down the details and storing them with the wax this will provide you the information you need to confidently re-use this wax at some point in the future.
Mary Martha Deane is the Queen of Candle Making. She knows more about making candles than most people can imagine. She thinks that Candle Making is a fantastic hobby, both for those who consider themselves creative, as well as for those folks who don’t yet know how creative they are. Mary Martha Dean finds great joy in teaching others about this delightful hobby. In her latest book, “Candle Making Secrets Revealed,” she shares her secrets for how to enhance the joy and satisfaction you get from this rewarding hobby. To learn all you need to make your own candles at home, visit Candle Wax-Making Beautiful Candles.
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