Have you ever had a crafting day turn into an episode of The Twilight Zone? You know what I’m talking about, right? A day when things seem to be going right, but then all of a sudden disaster strikes and you’re not really sure how things went so wrong? If not, consider yourself blessed and be happy I’m here today to share with you some value information on what not to do if you ever decide to make your own wax candles.
I had a craft day gone wrong recently. Well, it was back in November actually, but I’m still suffering from it. Every day I walk into my kitchen and see what remains of the horrible mess I created with what I thought was a simple craft project, I feel a sense of failure. That’s why it’s taken me so long to share this disaster with you. This is the first time I had a project go really wrong, and although I can laugh about it now, my ego wound isn’t entirely healed yet. But after talking to someone who had made the same mistake before with the same tragic result, I decided it was time to share my story and save you from making the same error.
I’m always up for a new craft project, so when a friend of mine handed down her candle making supplies, I couldn’t wait to give it a try! My niece, Norah, was up for the challenge, too, and we decided to take this venture together one weekend. We pulled out the tote full of candle supplies, and decided we’d do a trial run first before documenting our experience, which is why I don’t have many pictures. We were so excited because one of the molds was for a Christmas tree candle, and couldn’t wait to get started. If had known what was in store for us, we would have just watched The Sound of Music and ate popcorn instead.
Everything was going along fine to start with. We melted the wax in a pot on the stove, threaded our wicks through the molds, added our scents and poured the wax into the molds. We were making red candles first since red wax was already in the melting pot, but we had decided we wanted to make green candles next. There was a little bit of melted red wax left in the pot, and we were trying to figure out what to do with it when my husband walked in.
If this were a movie, this is where you’d hear the sound indicating impending doom!
Disclaimer: I am not blaming what is about to happen on my husband, because when he came up with the idea, I actually thought it was a good one.
We had what we thought was an empty Diet Mountain Dew can sitting on the counter, so it seemed like a perfect way to discard the melted wax. I mean, once it hardened all we’d have to do is throw it in the trash.
Wrong!
I placed the can in the sink and started pouring the wax into the can. After I was done, I heard a bubbling sound coming from the can. I asked my husband as we stood there over the sink listening to the noise, “You don’t think it’s going to explode do you?” Thank God, at that point all three of us stepped back a few steps, because that’s exactly what happened! Wax exploded out of the tiny hole in the top of the drink can and covered so much area space in my kitchen I couldn’t believe it! Ready to see the disaster? It still makes me cringe to look at this picture!
It was all over my kitchen cabinets, my fridge, microwave, sink and counter tops. Droplets of wax covered my coffee pot and toaster. Yes, there was wax all over my window and blinds, and even on the ceiling! Not just wax, but red wax, which appeared pink. Pink is normally my favorite color, but not when it’s spread all over my kitchen in the form of wax!
We immediately began our attempt at cleaning up the horrible mess. Do you know how hard it is to remove dried wax off of something?? It took hours and hours of heating the wax with the hair dryer so we could wipe it off with a paper towel to get rid of the mess. Unfortunately for us, we were unable to remove all traces of this disaster. We were able to remove the wax, but the red dye from the wax left a stain, so we now have some painting to do to cover it up. Yes, it’s a miracle I survived the busy holiday season with pink wax stains still on my kitchen ceiling and window trim! I’m a perfectionist, so stuff like this normally drives me crazy!
At first, we assumed there must have been some trace of Diet Mountain Dew left in the can that had a chemical reaction with the hot wax. But then we discussed our incident with someone who had the same thing happen to them when hot wax was mixed with water, we weren’t so sure. I started doing some research online, and thanks to Wikipedia I finally found an answer.
When hot wax comes into contact with a cold liquid, it floats on top of the liquid. The heat from the wax will cause the liquid to vaporize and turn into gas. This causes the liquid’s volume to expand quickly, and explode outward, pushing the wax layer into the air along with it. (Wikipedia) The same thing happens with a grease fire, which is why you aren’t supposed to use water to put it out!
So, there you have it. Never, ever let hot wax come into contact with any liquid! I hope you will learn from my mistake and remember this if you ever decide to make your own wax candles at home. Will I ever decide to make candles again? Well, the jury’s still out, but I do have two beautiful candles to remind me of the valuable lesson I learned that day.
Shared with: Home Matters Link Party, Pin Junkie Pin Party, Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop, Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party, Merry Monday Link Party, Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party, Teach Me Tuesday, Create Link Inspire Linky Party, Do Tell Tuesday, Party In Your PJs, Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
Stella Lee @purfylle says
*chuckle* and here I thought you had some fab new decor DIY 😀
Christie Selken says
Hey, it could be the next thing! I guess I should do a poll and see what people think of the new look…LOL.
Stella says
Very avant garde!
Emily, Our house now a home says
Oh wow, that is a experience! Sorry you have such a mess to clean up. I love that you share it though 🙂
Christie Selken says
Thanks, Emily. I just had to share my pain to keep others away from making the same mistake. 🙂
satrntgr says
Wow, I never knew that could happen. Those photos look like some you see on the news. Thank God all of you were okay. Glad to know that tip, for when I try in the future. Might have to wear a haz mat suit, though!
Christie Selken says
Ha! I am very thankful, too, that no one was hurt. Consider this a very big lesson learned! Thanks for stopping by today!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
Oh my goodness, those pictures evoked an audible gasp from me! Thanks for linking up with us (and preventing us from making this mistake!) at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week! 🙂
Christie Selken says
I’m so glad I’m here to help! Thanks for hosting an awesome party, and have a great weekend!
Meagan says
I will be honest, that made me laugh a little. Something similar happened at our house during supper. Someone dropped a ketchup bottle and the ketchup went straight up to the ceiling. It was a mess but I look back and laugh. Maybe try using a magic eraser though? Goodluck and thank you for sharing this.
Christie Selken says
Oh my goodness…ketchup on the ceiling! So I’m not only in my misery..LOL. It’s good to be able to look back and laugh at it, though. Besides, it’s great my niece and I were able to create a lasting memory together. Thanks for stopping by!
Carole j correll says
Again I am so sorry! I would like to reverse all signs disaster! I hope this will not keep you from creating with wax!
Christie Selken says
No problem! Life is all about learning, right? Besides, Edgar Allan Poe is one of my favorite authors, and my kitchen looked like a scene right out of The House of Wax. 🙂
Sharon | Her Organized Chaos says
OH MY GOODNESS! I would go crazy if that happened in my home! I actually sat and was gasped out loud LOL. Sorry that happened.
Christie Selken says
I’m sorry it happened, too…but at least we can laugh about it now. 🙂
2crochethooks says
Unfortunately I had similar (splashing, red/pink splatter) happen to me recently when a phone call caused the spaghetti sauce I was making to be left uncovered and unattended for almost an hour. Perfect circle around and including stove, ceiling, walls, floor and anything else in the way. Sigh. Guess we can help each other paint!
Christie Selken says
Sounds like a plan! 🙂
Sandy Sandmeyer says
OMG! Wow! I never knew that could happen. What a nightmare.
Christie Selken says
Yes, it was. I’m just glad it’s behind me. Thanks for stopping by!
amanda says
I love the honesty! Sometimes you just have to laugh at your own DIY failures! I’m sorry about the mess and the staining though. That is a huge bummer, but at least only cosmetic. Thank you for sharing your story with us at Merry Monday!
Christie Selken says
Thanks, Amanda. Unfortunately, I have another project gone wrong that will be making an appearance on the blog soon. I think it’s important for us to learn from each other’s mistakes….and have a laugh at the same time. Thanks so much for stopping by, and hosting Merry Monday!
Jenny B @ Honey and Birch says
OMG. I have a bunch of supplies to make candles and I’m so glad I read this first. Thank you for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.
Christie Selken says
I’m glad you read it, too! Thanks for the pin!