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What do you do with your chipped, faded, souvenir or old coffee mug? Chances are you either relegate them to a sad life in the back of a forgotten cabinet, or you throw them in the trash. This will be especially true for Taki (remember those with your face on them?) and re-gifted pieces. However, if you feel bad about treating them like this or want to get a better ROI (return on investment) on the money spent, turn them into scented homemade candles. Not only do they serve as natural home fresheners, but they also give you a chance Instead of getting rid of your old coffee mug, reuse it.
To make your home smell amazing, you’ll need some of your old coffee mugs — just make sure they don’t leak. If the handles of one or two pieces are broken, glue them back together with a strong adhesive, eg Loctite’s Super Glue LiquidAnd keep them aside for curing. For others, give them a bath with soapy water to remove accumulated dirt and dust. Then, let them air dry and get some wax.
Soy, eg Freedom Soy Wax Beads from American Soy OrganicsOne of the most popular options because it works very well for DIY container candles, holds the scent well and doesn’t leave a lot of soot. But if you want a budget-friendly option, gather your half-burnt tea lights and old candles and get ready to melt them. You’ll also need a double boiler, your chosen aroma source (essential or aromatic oils and spices are the most common), a scale, and a meat thermometer. Also, get some wicks and wooden sticks or dowels to center them.
How to turn an old coffee mug into a scented candle
Fill a large pot halfway with water, place it on your stovetop, and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Next, get a heat-resistant container and pour the wax into it before submerging it in a pot full of water. Be gentle and make sure the water does not mix with the melting wax. Don’t forget to wear gloves, otherwise your hands will feel greasy. How much wax you need to melt depends on how many candles you plan to make and the capacity of your coffee mug. If this seems like too much work, feel free to eyeball it.
But if you want a perfect measurement, get a scale, fill one of your mugs with water to your preferred level, and weigh it. Then, multiply the weight of your chosen wax by its density as it separates from water. If the wax packet does not include this information, 0.85 is a common figure. Since you’ll also be adding fragrances to each candle, factor them into your final calculation as well. For example, suppose a coffee mug filled with water weighs 10 ounces. Ideally, its wax weight would be 8.5 (10 x 0.85) ounces. From this number, subtract 10% to leave room for aromatic oils and substances (you can change this according to your preferences). Therefore, your final wax weight will be 7.65 ounces (8.5 minus 0.85). Once you have the number, place a wick (or two) in the bottom of your coffee mug, support it with dowels on either side, add a few drops of scented oil to the melted wax, and start pouring. Allow the wax to cure for at least three days and at best two weeks.
Tips to ensure your candles smell great
One of the first tips is to learn the melting and pouring temperatures of your wax. For example, soy wax melts between 115 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you do not heat it to 180 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit, the small particles of wax will not beef up. And this will prevent them from binding with essential or fragrance oil molecules. Once you’ve mixed the two, turn off the stove and let the wax cool to 130 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the pour temperature of soy wax and sticking to this will give you a smooth candle top and reduce the chances of unsightly sinking. So, keep a meat thermometer handy to monitor the temperature well.
Another tip is to use a candle-specific scent, eg P&J Trading’s Fragrance Oil Set for Candle Making. This small change will give you more fragrant candles, both when they are burning and on fire. The fragrance will also spread evenly and make your home heavenly. If you want your coffee mug candles to be natural, you can use spices like rosemary, cinnamon, and cloves for a lighter scent. You can also add dried flowers to the mixture. Get some blooms from your garden and start drying them days before this DIY Buy dried flowers from the best places To make this idea work. Want your coffee mug candle to remind you of your favorite brew? Use leftover coffee grounds And add them between layers of wax. That being said, stick to the corners of your mug or the grounds may burn when you light the candle. Plus, keeping your candle covered and cured for two weeks will enhance the scent, whether it’s lit or not.
