Just because crayons are old and broken doesn't mean they're throwaway. Just like a wax candle, these crayons too can be melted and transformed into something new - other crayons, candles and even lipsticks! There are several methods to do this and this article will tell you how to proceed.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: On the Stove
Step 1. Melt the crayons in a double boiler
Fill a large pot with 2.5-5 cm of water at the bottom. Place a heat-resistant glass bowl inside. The edges of the glass container should be above the water level.
If you have a metal beaker that you use to make candles, you can use it instead of the glass bowl
Step 2. Remove the paper backing from all crayons
If you don't, you will eventually have a mushy mix. Here are some tips for removing labels easily:
- Tear and peel off the paper. Start at one end (top or bottom) and open the sealed flap. Stick your fingernail under the label and start tearing it off.
- If you're having trouble, run the blade of a utility knife across the crayon and cut the paper backing; at this point you just have to remove it.
- Dip the crayon in a bowl of very hot water for a few minutes. The water will soften the paper, which will make it easier to peel off.
- Some crayons have very loose coatings that are not glued. In this case, you should be able to pull them off like a sock or a straw wrap.
Step 3. Consider dividing the crayons by color
If you have many and various shades, you can break them down by color. This way you can save time later, during the blending phase. There is no need to group them by specific colors, for example by dividing the "royal blue" ones from the "periwinkle" ones. Just group all the "blues", all the "yellows" and so on.
Step 4. Cut them into small pieces with the help of a utility knife or kitchen knife
You have to get segments of about one and a half centimeters. This way they will melt quickly and not many lumps will form.
Step 5. Turn on the stove and bring the water to a boil
When it starts to boil, lower the heat and let it simmer constantly.
Step 6. Place the crayon pieces in the glass container
Don't put in all the colors at once, or you will get an unsightly brown. Instead, add pastels based on hue. If you have separated them before, at this point you just have to add each "pile" in the water bath.
- If you have decided to make candles, you can incorporate some candle wax and a few drops of essential oil or a fragrance.
- If you want to prepare a lipstick, then you have to start melting a crayon (you can use a single color or flakes of different shades, making sure that the quantity of the pieces is equivalent to a whole crayon) and add half a teaspoon of shea butter, half teaspoon of oil, such as almond, argan, coconut, jojoba or olive oil.
- If you want to incorporate extra ingredients, such as glitter, fragrances or essential oils, you need to do it now.
Step 7. Wait for the crayons to melt
Stir them from time to time with a spoon, so that they heat up evenly. Do not leave the stove unattended and make sure the room is always well ventilated; the fumes released by the wax can cause headaches.
If the water level in the pot starts to drop too low, add more
Step 8. Remove the glass container from the water and use the wax
Be very careful, as it will be extremely hot, so use pot holders or oven mitts to protect your hands. You can pour the wax into a silicone ice cube mold or into candy molds and make fun-shaped crayons. You can also use it to make candles or lipstick.
Method 2 of 3: In the Microwave
Step 1. Remove the paper film from the crayons
If you don't, it will mix with the melted wax creating a greasy, waxy lump. Here are some tips for effortlessly peeling the label off:
- Peel and tear the paper.
- Engrave it with a utility knife and open it to detach it.
- Dip the crayons in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes and then peel off the coating.
- Some crayons have very loose labels. In this case you can simply take them off.
Step 2. Consider separating the crayons by color
If you have different ones, you can divide them into groups of similar colors. This means that you will have to put all the "pinks" in one pile and all the "purples" in another. You don't have to combine them based on specific shades, for example you don't have to worry about joining all the "candy" pinks together and separating them from the "peach" ones.
Step 3. Use a utility knife or kitchen knife to cut the crayons into one-and-a-half centimeter segments
This way you reduce the time it takes to merge.
Step 4. Transfer the crayons to a microwave safe container
You can use a glass jar or an old cup. If you need to blend crayons of different colors, put each group in a different container.
- If you want to make colored candles, then add a part of flake candle wax and a part of wax crayons. You can also incorporate a few drops of essential oil or a candle fragrance.
- If, on the other hand, you have decided to prepare a lipstick, then you need a single crayon (of a single color or many pieces of various shades for an amount equal to a crayon) and half a teaspoon of shea butter, half a teaspoon of oil like that of almonds, Argan, coconut, jojoba or olive.
Step 5. Put the containers in the microwave
You can blend different colors, stored in various containers, all at once, but avoid "crowding" the oven too much. It is best to proceed with only one color at a time or in small groups.
Step 6. Heat the crayons for two minutes, stopping the oven every thirty seconds to stir the mixture
Don't stray, you need to monitor the whole process. Each microwave is different and the crayons may melt sooner than expected.
Step 7. Use melted wax
When the crayons are in a liquid state, you can pour the wax into the silicone or candy molds and make new crayons with a funny shape. Alternatively, use it to make candles and lipsticks.
If you want to add extra ingredients, such as glitter, fragrances and essential oils, you can do it now. Remember to mix the mixture carefully. Do not pour glitter at the beginning of the process, as they could have dangerous reactions in the microwave
Method 3 of 3: In the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 95 ° C
With this method you can blend pastels and reshape them into fun shapes.
Step 2. Remove the paper labels from all crayons
Most wax paints are wrapped in a paper film that peels off easily. Some take off on their own. However, if you run into trouble with this step, here are some tips:
- Run the blade of a utility knife along the length of the crayon by gently cutting the paper film. Be careful not to cut the actual crayon. This way the label should peel off easily.
- If you can't peel off the foil, dip the crayon in a bowl of very hot water for a few minutes. The water softens the paper which will peel off.
Step 3. Consider dividing the crayons by color
If you are casting a large amount of crayons, you should separate them based on their color. This means that you have to put together all the "yellows", all the "blues" and so on. You don't have to respect specific shades, for example you don't have to combine all the "cornflower" blues and all the "solidago" yellows.
Step 4. Cut the crayons into small pieces with the help of a utility knife or kitchen knife
You need to cut them down into one-and-a-half centimeter segments. This way they will melt more quickly and reduce the formation of lumps.
Step 5. Find an aluminum baking sheet or a silicone shape that is suitable for the purpose
You can use a silicone or metal muffin mold, or an ice cube mold. Silicone has a high melting point, so it's completely safe in the oven.
- If you've opted for the metal mold, consider greasing the walls with cooking oil or margarine. This will prevent the wax from sticking. You can also insert baking cups.
- If you have decided to use the silicone mold, you must not grease it or line it. This material is non-stick and flexible, so the melted pastels, once hardened, will easily come out of the molds.
Step 6. Put the crayon pieces into the molds
If you are making new crayons with funny shapes, then you need to fill each mold just a little, as the liquid wax will spread and naturally occupy the gaps.
- Consider matching colors to shapes. For example, if you have several molds available, such as hearts and stars, you can use pink and red crayons for the hearts, while in the star shapes you can put yellow and blue ones.
- Mix and match shades. Try to blend the red, yellow and orange pastels in one shape, the blues and greens in another, and finally the pinks and purples in a third shape.
Step 7. Place the mold in the oven and "bake" the pastels for 10-15 minutes
If you are using a silicone mold, first place it on a baking sheet.
Step 8. Remove the pan from the oven
When the crayons have melted, take them out of the oven and use the wax for your art projects. Alternatively, let it cool in the molds for some interestingly shaped new crayons.
If you've opted for the latter option, you can speed up the process by letting the wax harden for a while and then placing the pan in the freezer for 30 minutes
Step 9. Remove the new hardened crayons from the molds
Wait until the wax is completely hard; if the base of the pan is cold to the touch, then the new crayons are ready. When the wax is solidified, turn the molds upside down. The crayons should easily come out of the metal molds. If they resist a little, tap them on the kitchen counter. If you have opted for a silicone mold, press it on the convex side by pushing the crayons out.
Advice
- Melted wax can be used to make new crayons. Simply pour it into a mold or even the container you melted it in. The new crayon will be the same color as the ones you put in the bowl.
- You can pour the melted wax crayons into a decorative mold or a figurine to create decorations or other pastels with a curious shape.
- Silicone ice cube trays are ideal for giving crayons a new shape.
- You don't have to make crayons. You can get yourself a wooden cylinder and follow steps one through seven. At the end you can glue the hardened wax on the cylinder and add as many decorations as you like to personalize it.
Warnings
- Never leave the stove or oven on unattended.
- Work in a well-ventilated room when melting crayons. Always keep a window open.
- Do not overheat the crayons.
- Melted pastels are very hot. Adult supervision is required throughout the process and while using the melted wax. Do not leave hot or melted crayons unattended.
