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Upcycle candles during your spring cleaning

As you wipe away the stuffiness of winter months, clear away cob webs, dust under furniture and de-clutter counter tops during your spring cleaning, are you finding a collection of used and nearly spent scented candles around your home? What do you do with all these almost empty jars and the remaining sweet scents within? Instead of throwing them out, Upcycle your candles and consolidate your collection by creating beautiful multi-scented, layered candles right in your kitchen. Maybe you have a few left over from the holidays, take those vanilla, cinnamon and apple cider scented candles and mix them together to create an apple pie a la mode layered candle. Not only will you be able to breathe new life into old candles, but you’ll reap the rewards of a great smelling house and save a little trash from the landfill while you’re at it.

This project is simple, fun, environmental and smells great while you’re doing it. All you’ll need is a working stove top, a package of candle wicks, which can be found at almost any craft store and an open work area. If you have other glass container lying around the house, you can grab them to reuse as well.
 
Step 1:  Melt your first candle down completely by placing the jar in a pot of boiling water. Your candle should melt down quickly, within 5 minutes or so. Pour the wax into a clean glass container or use the one it is already in.
Step 2:  Place the new candle wick in your clean jar.  Place a Popsicle stick or something similar over the top of the jar and wrap the top of the wick around it so it doesn’t fall over and out of the jar.
Step 3:  Pour melted wax into a new jar and let the layer cool completely.
Step 4:  Once the first layer of wax is completely solid, melt the next candle down on the stove and poured it over the first layer.  Repeat with one more layer or until your glass container is full.
Step 5:  Cut the wick.  Burn and enjoy your new candle!

If you can, try to use scents that complimented each other.  Like our vanilla, apple cider and cinnamon combo.  Maybe you have a collection of summer or floral scents that would complement each other well. The possibilities are endless. You can also upcycle broken scented crayons for a similar colorful effect. Ask your friends and family for their used candles to upcycle and create even more color and scent combinations. These homemade candles add flair to your living area and are great inexpensive gifts to give.

Once you have melted down your candles and cleaned out the jars they are in, you can either upcycle your like new containers, for storage, additional candle making or other crafts. Clean glass is also in the ideal condition to be recycled. For more tips on upcycling, recycling and what you can do to go green visit Millennium Waste Solutions.

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Keeping the Community Clean

Millennium Waste Incorporated is committed to the growth and well being of the Quad Cities area. That’s why it’s so important to us to contribute to community events and activities. As proud members of the cities we serve, we are dedicated to youth involvement and keeping Betterndorf, Davenport, East Moline, Moline, Rock Island and all of our communities clean.

Events and Activities:

  • Extreme Cleanup
  • Quad Cities Marathon
  • Bix 7
  • Greek Fest
  • Cinco De Mayo Festival
  • Bettendorf July 4th Festival

Contact us today with questions or suggestions.

 

The Quad Cities Landfill will be closing at 10am on Saturday for scheduled scale maintenance.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  Thank you!

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