You can't throw crayons away because they are old and broken.Just like candle wax, crayons can be melted down and turned into new crayons, candles, or even lipstick.This article will show you how to melt crayons.
Step 1: A double boiler or bain marie is needed.
Put 1 to 2 inches of water in a large pot.A heat-safe glass container can be placed inside a large pot.The top of the container should be above the water.The metal beaker can be used instead of the glass container for candle-making.
Step 2: The crayons have wrappers on them.
You will end up with a mess if you don't remove the wrapper.If you want to remove the crayon wrappers, you can peel and tear them off.Start at the top or bottom of the wrapper.Start tearing the wrapper off your finger.If it is difficult to open the wrapper, use a craft knife to cut it open.Remove the wrapper.The crayon should be soaked in a bowl of hot water.It will be easier to remove the paper that is softened by the water.Some crayons have loose wrappers.You might be able to remove these from a straw.
Step 3: The crayons should be separated by color.
You can sort crayons by color if you have a lot of them.It will save you time when you are melting crayons.You don't have to group specific colors together like putting all of the "royal" blues together.Group the blues, yellows, and so forth.
Step 4: Use a craft knife or kitchen knife to cut the crayons.
The pieces should be about 12 inches long.It will help them melt quicker and reduce the number of lumps.
Step 5: Bring the water to a boil by turning the stove on.
The water should be kept at a steady simmer once it starts boiling.
Step 6: The crayon pieces should be in the glass container.
You will get a murky brown color if you put all the colors in at once.Drop the crayons based on color.Dropping the color piles into the container is possible if you sorted the colors out before then.If you are making crayon candles, you should add shaved candle wax and a few drops of essential oil or candle scent.If you want to make a crayon-based lipstick, you need to start with one crayon, 12 cup of shea butter, and a small amount of oil.Now is the time to add extras, such as glitter, fragrance, or essential oil.
Step 7: Wait until the crayons are melted.
If you stir them with a spoon, everything will get heated evenly.The fumes from the melting wax can cause headaches if you leave the stove unattended.Add more water if the water level in the pot starts to get too low.
Step 8: Take the container out of the water.
The glass container will be very hot, so be sure to use an oven mitt or pot holder to protect your hand.You can make fun-shaped crayons by pouring hot wax into ice cube or candy molds.This wax can be used to make candles or lipstick.
Step 9: Remove the paper from the crayons.
If you don't remove the wrappers, the wax will cause a mess.There are a few ways to remove crayon wrappers.Use a craft knife to open the paper wrapper.Remove the wrapper from the crayons by soaking them in a bowl of hot water.Some crayons have wrappers on them.You could slide these off.
Step 10: The crayons can be separated by color.
You can sort crayons into similar colors if you have a lot of them.You put all of the pinks and the purples together.You don't have to focus on grouping specific colors, like putting all of the "rose" pinks together.
Step 11: Cut the crayons into smaller pieces with a craft knife or kitchen knife.
The pieces should be 12 inches long.The melting time will be reduced by this.
Step 12: The crayon pieces should be put in a container.
You can use a jar or mug.If you have more than one color, put it into a separate container.If you want to make candles out of crayons, use one part shaved candle wax to another part.A few drops of essential oil or candle-making fragrance can be added.If you are making lipstick, you will need one crayon, one shea butter, and a small amount of oil.
Step 13: Put the containers in the microwave.
You can put multiple containers into the microwave at the same time, but don't overload the oven.It's better to heat one color at a time or in small batches.
Step 14: The crayons need to be microwaved for 2 minutes.
Keep an eye on the crayons while they are in the microwave.Your crayons may melt sooner in a microwave.
Step 15: The melted wax can be used.
Silicone or plastic candy molds can be used to make fun-shaped crayons after the crayons are melted.You can use the wax to make other things.Now is the time to add any extras, such as glitter, fragrance or essential oil.It is important to stir it in.It might react with the microwave if you add the glitter earlier.
Step 16: The oven should be at 200F (94C).
You can use this method to make fun new shapes from old crayons.
Step 17: The paper should be removed from the crayons.
Most crayons are easy to peel off.Some may slide off on their own.If you're having trouble opening the paper wrapper, there are a few things you can do.Don't cut the actual crayon.You should be able to pull the wrapper off.If it's difficult to remove the wrappers, soak the crayon in a bowl of hot water.The water will make it easier to remove the paper.
Step 18: The crayons should be separated by color.
If you use a lot of crayons, you can save time by grouping them into similar colors.You should put the yellows and the blues with each other.You don't have to group specific colors together, such as putting all of the "cornflower" blues together.
Step 19: Use a craft knife or kitchen knife to slice the crayons.
The pieces should be about 12 inches long.It will help them melt quicker and reduce the number of lumps.
Step 20: You can find a baking tin or mold.
You can use an old cupcake or muffin tin, or a Silicone baking or ice cube mold.Silicone is safe to use in the oven because of its high melting point.greasing the wells with cooking spray or shortening is a good idea if you are using a cupcake or muffin tin.Any sticking will be prevented by this.You can use cupcake liners to line the wells.If you are using a silicone mold, you don't need to line it or grease it.The crayons will pop out of the mold because it is stick-resistant and flexible.
Step 21: The crayon pieces should be placed in the molds.
You should over-fill each well a little bit if you plan on making fun-shaped crayons.The crayons will fill the gaps when they melt.Match colors to the shape.If you have a mold with different shapes, such as stars and hearts, put the reds and pinks in the heart-shaped well, and the yellow and blues in a star shaped well.You should consider mixing and matching some colors.Put reds, oranges, and yellows in one shape, blues and greens in another and pinks and purples into a third.
Step 22: The tin should be placed in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Place the mold on the baking sheet first.
Step 23: The tin needs to be removed from the oven.
Pull the tin out of the oven once the crayons have melted.If you want to make fun-shaped crayons, you can either use melted wax or let the wax cool and make them.If you are making fun-shaped crayons, you can speed up the cooling process by waiting until the wax has hardened a bit, then sticking the molds into the freezer for 30 minutes.
Step 24: The crayons were in the molds.
If you are making fun-shaped crayons, wait until the wax is completely hardened.If the bottom of the mold or tin is cool to the touch, you can tell if the wax has set.Turn the mold upside down once the wax has set.The crayons should come out of the cupcake or muffin tins.You can lightly tap the tray if they don't.If you are using a silicone mold, gently grip the edges of the mold and press down on the bulging shape, pushing the crayon out.