Brooke Martin
Adding colour to homemade soy candles is a fun and creative process that can be done using various methods and ingredients. While some candle makers opt for synthetic dyes, others prefer to use natural ingredients such as herbs and spices to achieve their desired hues. In this guide, we will explore the different ways to add colour to soy candles, from using dye blocks and liquid dyes to infusing natural ingredients like madder root and spirulina. We will also discuss the pros and cons of each method, helping you make an informed decision on how to create your very own vibrant and unique soy candles at home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of dyes | Dye blocks, liquid dyes, soy dye flakes, natural dyes |
| Dye blocks | Create darker, more vibrant colors |
| Liquid dyes | Generate lighter, pastel hues |
| Soy dye flakes | Recommended for pastel to medium colors, but can achieve deep shades |
| Natural dyes | Madder root, alkanet root, annatto seeds, peppermint, spirulina, comfrey, rose hips, lavender |
| Natural dye process | Infuse herbs and spices in soy wax for 24 hours, stirring every 4-6 hours |
| Natural dye sensitivity | More prone to fading than synthetic colors; store in a dark place |
| Dye application | Add dye when wax is hottest (around 185° F) |
| Other colorants | Micas, oxides/pigments, crayons, food coloring (not recommended) |
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What You'll Learn
Using dye blocks for darker, vibrant colours
Dye blocks are a great option for colouring homemade soy candles and creating darker, vibrant colours. They are a type of candle dye, which is a synthetic chemical specifically formulated for use in candle wax. They are commonly made from anilines, an oily chemical substrate, and are water-soluble, providing optimal colour and function in your candles.
Dye blocks are available in a rainbow of hues, and you can also mix colours to create additional shades. It is recommended to keep a log of your measurements so that you can recreate your desired colours. When mixing colours, always allow the wax to cool completely before pouring the next layer, and pour at a temperature no higher than 140° F to ensure the colours do not bleed.
To use dye blocks, add them to your wax when it reaches around 185° F. Heat and stir until the colour is fully dispersed. Always add the dye when the wax is at its hottest to ensure it fully melts. You can also add the dye to the wax in a double boiler and melt it all together.
It is important to note that dyes are UV light-sensitive, so it is recommended to cure your candles away from direct sunlight and store them in a shaded area. Using a UV inhibitor can help your colours stay vivid over time and reduce the likelihood of fading or discolouration.
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Liquid dyes for pastel hues
Soy wax can be coloured using two methods: dye blocks and liquid dyes. While dye blocks create darker, more vibrant colours, liquid dyes are ideal for generating pastel hues.
Liquid dyes are available in a rainbow of colours and can be purchased from specialist candle-making suppliers. These dyes are typically sold in small bottles and are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. When working with liquid dyes, it is important to note that they are UV light-sensitive. Therefore, it is recommended to cure candles in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight, to keep them stored in a dark place when not in use, and to use a UV inhibitor to help your colours stay vivid over time.
To achieve pastel shades with liquid dyes, it is best to add the dye when the wax is at its hottest to ensure it fully melts and blends. The recommended temperature for adding liquid dyes is around 185° F (85° C). If using a double boiler, you can add the dye to the wax and melt them together. It is also important to stir the mixture gently for a couple of minutes to ensure that the dye is fully incorporated.
While natural colourants such as herbs and spices can be used to colour soy wax, they may not result in pastel hues. For example, madder root creates a light peach shade, alkanet produces a burgundy red, annatto seeds yield a warm yellow, and spirulina imparts a warm green hue. Additionally, natural colours are more sensitive to fading than synthetic colours, so it is recommended to store natural soy candles in a dark place when not in use.
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Natural colourants like herbs and spices
To achieve deeper colours, you can increase the amount of herb used and the infusion time. One method involves placing herb-filled coffee filters into jars, turning the heat to low, and letting them steep for about 24 hours. The wax should be maintained at around 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is important to stir the mixture every few hours to ensure even infusion. For deeper colours, you can let the mixture infuse for another 24 hours. After this period, remove the filters and add the wicks to the jars or pour the wax into moulds or jars with wicks already in place. Allow the wax to cool completely, and the recommended cure time for soy-based candles before burning is generally one week.
Other infusion methods include using cheesecloth or a small muslin bag instead of a coffee filter. However, with fine powders like alkanet and spirulina, it is challenging to prevent them from mixing into the wax. You may need to let the sediment settle or strain the wax before pouring your candles.
Some herbs and spices also provide a pleasant scent to your candles. For example, lemongrass has a powerful, citrus scent and is often used in soaps and personal care products. Lavender is known for its soothing and relaxing properties and has a sweet, floral, and earthy scent, making it ideal for bedrooms or bathrooms. Rosemary has a fresh, woody, and pungent smell that can "wake up the room". Fresh rosemary sprigs can also be glued to the inside of the jar as decoration. For a festive-themed candle, nutmeg and cinnamon are excellent choices, offering a spicy, woody, and peppery scent.
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Avoid food colouring, crayons, and oxides
Soy wax can be coloured using dye blocks and liquid dyes, which come in a variety of hues. Dye blocks create darker, more vibrant colours, while liquid dyes produce lighter pastel shades.
However, when colouring your homemade soy candles, it is best to avoid food colouring, crayons, and oxides. While food colouring can be used in gel, paste, or powder form, it is not the best option for colouring soy candles. Liquid food colouring, in particular, is water-based and will not mix with the wax.
Crayons are also not recommended for colouring soy candles. Although they can produce bright and deep colours, the crayon wax does not fully dissolve into the soy wax, resulting in chunks of crayon accumulating at the bottom and uneven colour distribution. Additionally, the wax from the crayons can cause the candle to burn out quickly.
Oxides should also be avoided as they may not be safe for use in candles. Instead, opt for candle dyes specifically designed for soy wax, such as liquid candle dye or dye flakes, to achieve the desired colours safely and effectively.
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Add dye when wax is hottest, around 185° F
When making homemade soy candles, it's important to add the dye when the wax is at its hottest to ensure it fully melts and blends well. The ideal temperature for adding dye to soy wax is around 185° F (85° C). At this temperature, the wax is fully melted and ready to incorporate the colourant.
There are a variety of candle dyes available on the market, such as dye blocks and liquid dyes, which come in a wide range of colours. Dye blocks are ideal for creating darker, more vibrant colours with soy wax, while liquid dyes are better suited for lighter and pastel hues.
It's important to avoid using certain off-label colourants, such as food colouring, crayons, and some natural pigments like micas and oxides, as they may not blend properly with the wax or could even be dangerous when exposed to an open flame.
Instead, opt for candle-safe dyes and follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper usage. Additionally, soy dye flakes are a good option for pastel to medium colours, and they can also achieve deep shades when used correctly.
By adding the dye at the recommended temperature of around 185° F, you can ensure that your homemade soy candles will have a consistent and vibrant colour.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use natural colourants such as madder root, alkanet root, annatto seeds, peppermint, and spirulina. Madder root will give you a light peach shade, alkanet will give you a burgundy red shade, annatto seeds will turn the wax warm yellow, spirulina will give a warm green hue, and peppermint will give a very light green shade.
You can use dye blocks or liquid dyes. Dye blocks create darker, more vibrant colours, while liquid dyes generate lighter, more pastel hues. You can also use micas, oxides/pigments, crayons, and food colouring, but these may not work as well.
First, heat your wax to 185°F (85°C). Then, add your desired amount of dye and stir gently for 2 minutes. Let the wax cool to 135°F (57.2°C) before pouring it into your jars. Allow your candles to cool completely and fully harden at room temperature.
