DIY Coffee-Scented Candles from Leftover Wax
Turn discarded candle wax into aromatic coffee candles. This guide walks you through layering melted wax with coffee grounds in a glass jar, along with safety tips and supply list.
By Dakota Hall10 steps
Candles are a classic, elegant gift that suits anyone. High-quality candles often come with a high price tag, and after burning, you're typically left with leftover wax that ends up in the trash. Rather than throwing away that perfectly good wax, you can blend it with fragrant coffee grounds to make beautiful, coffee-scented candles right at home. Watch the video here!
Step 1
Collect all your materials so they're within reach before you start. This candle will have three layers of wax and two layers of coffee grounds.
Step 2
Put the metal anchor of the wick at the bottom center of the glass jar. Wind the extra wick around a pen or pencil to hold it straight when you pour the wax. Ensure the wick stays centered in the jar.
Step 3
Put the used candles into a heat-safe container. Heat 4 cups of water in a saucepan. Avoid boiling the water. Low-medium heat works well for melting wax.
Step 4
Place the container with the candles into the hot water. The wax should melt in about 7 minutes. To enhance the scent, you can add a few drops of coffee or vanilla extract to the melted wax.
Step 5
Carefully pour a layer of wax into the glass jar, about 1/2 to 1 inch thick. If needed, recenter the wick.
Step 6
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of coffee evenly over the melted wax.
Step 7
Pour another layer of melted wax over the coffee grounds. Then add another layer of coffee grounds.
Caution: Ensure your candle has at least three times more wax than coffee, as coffee grounds can catch fire if there's not enough wax. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Step 8
If the wax has hardened, dip it back into the hot water until it melts again. Once melted, pour the final layer of wax over the coffee layer and let it harden completely, about an hour.
Step 9
Trim the wick to one-quarter inch.
Step 10
Light it up!
If you're giving it as a gift, gather some scrap fabric and ribbons to decorate your new candle. Old holiday ribbons work great. If you're keeping it for yourself, decorate it however you like and find a spot to display your coffee ground candle proudly.
