Updated October 31, 2024
So you have a few empty wine bottles lying around the house? We’re not judging. If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to upcycle your empty wine bottle containers, then this guide on how to make wine bottle candles is for you.
Why Upcycle Old Wine Bottles Into Candles?
Did you know that in the United States, only 31% of glass is recycled? This equates to a staggering 7.6 million tons of non-recycled glass waste annually, as reported by the EPA.
By transforming would-be trash into beautiful wine bottle candles, we not only prevent them from adding to landfill waste but also reduce the energy and resources needed for manufacturing new glass products. It's a win-win for both style and sustainability.
Plus, you can take control over the ingredients used, ensuring that only 100% non-toxic soy wax and fragrances make their way into each creation. Using soy wax (a natural and renewable resource) eliminates the use of harmful chemicals commonly found in paraffin candles.
Check out these 10 Weird And Unique Candle Vessels for more upcycling ideas
Materials For Making Wine Bottle Candles
- Old wine bottles
- Candle wicks Soy wax
- Bottle cutter
- Sandpaper
- Hot glue gun
- Chopsticks or pencils to hold your wicks
- Large pot or tea kettle filled with hot water
- Sink filled with ice water
- Optional: scented candle oils
- Optional: a glass of wine for enjoying
How To Make Wine Bottle Candles In 7 Steps
Making wine bottle candles isn’t just a fun and rewarding DIY project, but also an eco-friendly way to repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.
Here’s how it works.
Step 1 - Clean, Dry, And Remove Label From Wine Bottle
Clean the wine bottle thoroughly to remove the label from the wine bottle and its residue. Ensure it’s dry before proceeding with the cutting process.
Step 2 - Cut The Wine Bottle
For this step, you’ll need a glass bottle cutter, which typically consists of a cutting wheel or blade attached to a handle, as well as a sturdy surface for support. Consult the instructions provided with your bottle cutter to properly adjust the cutting blade.
Determine the desired height for your cut and use a marker or tape to create a visible line around the bottle. This line will guide your cutting process. Hold the bottle firmly with one hand, ensuring a steady grip on both ends.
Note: position the blade perpendicular to the body of the bottle, ensuring a clean cut.
Position the cutting blade against the bottle, aligning it with the marked cutting line. Apply gentle and consistent pressure as you slowly rotate the bottle.
Make one complete rotation to create a scored line on the glass surface. Keep your fingers away from the cutting line to avoid any accidents!
Step 3 - Alternate Hot And Cold Water To Remove The Top
Once the scored line is created, you can enhance the cutting process by applying heat and cold. Place the bottle in boiling water for about 20-30 seconds. Immediately after, place the bottle under cold running water or in an ice bath, allowing the temperature difference to facilitate the separation of the glass.
With one hand firmly holding each end of the bottle, gently pull and apply pressure in opposite directions. The heat and cold treatment, along with the scored line, should result in a clean separation along the cut line.
Step 4 - Sand The Sharp Edges
After cutting the bottle, you may likely notice sharp or jagged edges. Use sandpaper or a glass file to carefully smooth and refine the cut edges. Take your time to achieve a polished finish, and voila, you’ve got yourself an upcycled candle vessel.
Step 5 - Attach the Candle Wicks
Take a cotton or wooden wick with a metal tab and apply hot glue to the tab's bottom. Press the glued tab firmly onto the bottom center of each wine bottle. Ensure the wick is straight and upright. Use wick holders or pencils placed across the mouth of the bottle to keep the wicks in place.
Step 6 - Melt the Candle Wax
Follow the manufacturer’s directions to heat and melt the wax. If desired, add fragrance oils to the melted wax to infuse your candles with delightful scents. Measure the recommended amount of fragrance oil based on the quantity of wax used. Stir gently to distribute the fragrance evenly throughout the wax.
Step 7 - Pour Wax Into Wine Bottle
Carefully pour the melted wax into each prepared wine bottle, taking care not to disturb the wicks. Fill it nearly to the top, leaving a small space for the wax to settle. Place the freshly poured candles on a rack for even cooling and allow the candles to set and solidify overnight before lighting.
Candle-Making Tips & Tricks For The Best Results
Don’t panic if you mess up.
We picked this one first for a reason—making the perfect candle on your first try is unrealistic. But don't sweat it if your first crack at candle-making doesn't set the world on fire.
Even the most brilliant artisans started somewhere, and setbacks are part of the game. So think of those less-than-perfect candle batches as your personal crash course in candle chemistry.
Clean your container with soapy water before use.
This is one of the more simple tips and tricks for making candles, but it’s super effective. If you've ever made a candle before, you might have experienced what looks like "wet spots" on the side of your glass jar.
The presence of "wet spots" on candles is not due to actual moisture but is caused by shrinkage and air bubbles during the wax cooling process. To minimize this issue, clean the candle container before use.
Get the rest of our 15 Candle Making Tips and Tricks here!
Wine Bottle Candle Holder Decoration Ideas
After you’ve made your wine bottle candle, it’s fun to add some pizzazz by decorating the bottle. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Paint
The easiest way to make a wine bottle candle look spruced up is with a coat of paint.
First, wipe your bottle down with white vinegar and let dry. Then prime the bottle with a light coat of paint primer (we recommend a spray paint primer). Once the primer is dry it’s time to apply your color!
Use light even strokes to add the paint color if you are using a brush, or better yet, use a spray paint about 12 inches from the bottle and spray in even strokes. You will need to do about 2-3 coats to create an even color.
Tissue Paper Decoupage
Cut tissue paper into squares of any size. Feel free to get creative with your shapes! Then, add some Mod Podge in a thin layer to the wine bottle. Press the tissue paper over the Mod Podge and brush a little more Mod Podge over the tissue paper and smooth out any wrinkles.
Add the next piece of tissue paper and make sure it overlaps the previous piece. Continue until the whole bottle is covered. Let the bottle dry in a warm dry place and viola, your wine bottle candlestick holders just got a serious upgrade!
Spice it up: use dried flowers instead!
Drip Candles
Light a new taper candle—you could try to use a regular pillar candle, but the wax won’t drip as easily—trust us, we tried! Tilt the lit tapered candle near the opening of the wine bottle. Hold the candle at an angle, facing down, so that the wax begins to drip.
Once the wax is dripping from the taper candle, slowly turn the wine bottle with your other hand so that the wax drips all around the wine bottle. Repeat as many times as you’d like until the desired thickness of drips is achieved.
Spice it up: use different color taper candles to create a rainbow of wax drips!
Making Wine Bottle Candles: Frequently Asked Questions
Are wine bottles safe for candle making?
Yes, wine bottles are generally safe for candle making. However, it's important to follow proper safety guidelines and precautions during the process. This includes using appropriate tools, such as glass bottle cutters, to create smooth and even cuts.
Can you make candles out of alcohol bottles?
Similar to wine bottles, alcohol bottles can be repurposed into unique candle holders. The process for cutting and preparing the bottle remains the same. Just make sure to thoroughly clean the bottle and remove any labels or residue before transforming it into a candle holder.
How do you cut glass bottles for candles?
To cut glass bottles for candles, you will need a glass bottle cutter. Adjust the cutting blade of the bottle cutter to ensure it is perpendicular to the bottle's body.
Hold the bottle firmly and rotate it slowly while applying steady pressure against the cutting blade, creating a scored line around the bottle. Alternate placing the bottle in hot and cold water, to make it easier to separate the glass along the scored line. Once separated, smooth the cut edges using sandpaper or a glass file.
Will a glass bottle break with a candle in it?
In general, glass bottles are designed to withstand the heat generated by a candle flame. However, it is important to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines.
Ensure that the glass bottle is free from any cracks or defects before using it as a candle holder. Additionally, avoid leaving the candle unattended and place it on a stable surface away from flammable materials.
Ready To Craft Your Own Unique Candles?
Discover how our DIY candle-making kit can help kickstart your next candle-making adventure.
Our kit includes all the essential materials and detailed instructions to help you craft your own stunning candles with ease.
