Chloe Adams
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere and make your home smell wonderful. However, many conventional candles are made with paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum, which releases harmful toxins when burned. To avoid these toxins, you can make your own natural candles at home using non-toxic, sustainably sourced ingredients. This way, you know exactly what you're inhaling and what's being burned in your home. In this paragraph, we will discuss how to create natural candles using simple ingredients and provide a step-by-step guide to making your own all-natural candles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax | Beeswax, Soy wax, Carnauba wax |
| Wick | Natural hemp-based wick, Cotton wick |
| Scent | Essential oils, Fragrance oils, Dried herbs |
| Container | Jar, Crockpot |
| Heating method | Stove-top, Oven, Slow-cooker |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing a wax: Soy, beeswax, carnauba, or vegetable-based wax
- Preparing the wick: Using natural fibres and securing it in place
- Melting the wax: Using a double boiler or crockpot
- Adding scent: Essential oils, fragrance oils, or dried herbs
- Pouring the wax: Filling jars and letting the wax cool and solidify
Choosing a wax: Soy, beeswax, carnauba, or vegetable-based wax
When choosing a wax for your natural candle, you have a few options: soy wax, beeswax, carnauba wax, or vegetable-based wax. Each type of wax has its own unique properties and benefits. Here's a breakdown of each:
Soy wax is a natural, non-toxic option that burns cleanly with little soot released. It is also inexpensive and easy to find. Soy wax flakes melt fairly easily and can be heated over low to medium heat. Soy wax also holds fragrance better than other waxes, making it a good choice if you want to add essential oils or fragrance oils to your candles.
Beeswax is another natural and non-toxic option for candle-making. It is also inexpensive and widely available. Beeswax has a slow burn and a pleasant honey scent, which many people find appealing. Beeswax has a higher melting point than soy wax, combusting at 200°F. When working with beeswax, use a double boiler or a crockpot to melt the wax, and stir in your chosen essential oils with a wooden skewer or disposable utensil.
Carnauba wax is a natural alternative to paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum and can release harmful toxins when burned. Carnauba wax has a high combustion temperature of 570°F, so be sure to use a candy thermometer when melting this wax.
Vegetable-based wax is another non-toxic and all-natural option for candle-making. It is important to ensure that your vegetable-based wax is 100% vegetable and not a blend, as blends may not be as natural or non-toxic.
When choosing a wax, consider factors such as availability, cost, melting point, and desired scent. Remember to always work with wax in a well-ventilated area and take precautions to avoid spills and burns.
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Preparing the wick: Using natural fibres and securing it in place
Preparing the wick is an important step in candle-making. Natural fibres such as cotton or hemp are ideal for wicks as they are non-toxic and sustainably sourced.
To prepare your wick, start by cutting it to the desired length. The wick should be slightly longer than the vertical height of your jar. You can always trim it down later if needed.
Next, you'll want to secure the wick in place. Take a wick sustainer tab and thread the wick through it, twisting or knotting the end so it stays in place. Place the wick sustainer tab at the bottom of your jar. Alternatively, you can anchor the wick by dipping its end into melted wax and then inserting it into the centre of your candle container.
To keep the wick upright, use a clothespin, pencil, or pen to hold it in place. Lay the pencil or pen across the top of the jar, or use tape to secure the wick to a horizontal chopstick. This will ensure the wick stays straight as you pour in the wax.
Now that your wick is prepared, you're ready to move on to the next step of pouring the wax and adding any scents or essential oils.
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Melting the wax: Using a double boiler or crockpot
Melting wax is a crucial step in candle-making, and it's important to do it safely and effectively. One recommended method is to use a double boiler, which involves two pots: a larger one containing water, and a smaller "melting pot" or "candle-making pitcher" inside it for the wax. This setup ensures the wax doesn't overheat or reach its combustion temperature. Heat the wax to around 185°F, stirring occasionally with a wooden or disposable utensil.
An alternative to a double boiler is to use a crockpot, which is a great option for making candles with kids as it's safer and less messy. Simply ladle your melted wax and oil into jars while holding the jar over the crockpot.
If you don't have access to a stovetop, you can also melt wax in an oven. Place the wax in an oven-safe container and heat it to 185°F. This method also allows you to make multiple scents and colours at once.
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Adding scent: Essential oils, fragrance oils, or dried herbs
Adding a scent to your candle is a great way to customise it and make it unique. There are several options for adding scent: essential oils, fragrance oils, or dried herbs.
Essential oils are the most natural option, and a blend of different oils can be used to create a unique scent. Popular essential oils for candles include lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, and grapefruit. Essential oils are not as potent as fragrance oils, so more drops are needed to achieve a strong scent. It is important to use a natural wick with essential oils, as traditional wicks can release butane gas. Hemp-based wicks are a good option.
Fragrance oils are another option for adding scent to candles. They are more potent than essential oils, so fewer drops are needed. Fragrance oils can be synthetic or natural, so it is important to read the label carefully if you are looking for a natural option.
Dried herbs can also be used to scent candles. Examples include dried lavender, rosemary, or pine needles. These can be added directly to the wax, or used to decorate the outside of the candle.
When adding scent to your candle, it is important to follow the package instructions for the amount of scent to use. Too much scent can be overwhelming, while too little may not be noticeable. It is also important to add the scent at the right time during the candle-making process. For essential oils, this means stirring them into the melted wax before pouring it into the jar. For fragrance oils, the oil is usually added after the wax has cooled slightly. For dried herbs, these can be added directly to the wax before pouring.
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Pouring the wax: Filling jars and letting the wax cool and solidify
When you're ready to pour the wax, have your jars ready. If you're using a double boiler, ladle the wax into the jars while holding them over the boiler. If you're using an oven, pour the wax directly from the container it melted in into your jars.
It's important to fill your jars over newspaper to avoid getting wax everywhere. You can use a clothespin or mechanical pencil to centre the wick as you pour, or use two clothespins, one on either side of the wick. Alternatively, you can tape a straw to a clothespin and use this to centre the wick.
The wax will begin to harden as soon as it comes into contact with the jar. It will take about 20 minutes or longer to cool and solidify completely. If you want to add scent to your candles, this is the time to do it. Add a few drops of essential oil, fragrance oil, or dried herbs to the wax as it cools.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need wax, wicks, a jar, a pot, and essential oils or fragrance oils. Common wax options include beeswax, soy wax, and carnauba wax.
Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum and is not the best natural product. Soy wax and beeswax are inexpensive, easy to find, and natural. Soy holds fragrance better than beeswax, but beeswax has its own honey scent.
First, measure out your wax by filling your jar with wax pellets and using a kitchen scale to find the weight. Next, melt the wax in a melting pot or pot over medium heat. If using a melting pot, add enough water to a larger pot to cover the melting pot halfway to create a double boiler. Heat the wax to 185°F. After the wax is melted, add your essential oils or fragrance oils. Then, pour the wax into your jar and insert the wick.
You can add scent to your candle by adding essential oils, fragrance oils, or dried herbs. Essential oils are the most natural option. Common essential oils used include lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, and grapefruit.
The process of making natural candles is relatively quick and easy. It should take around 20 minutes to make two candles.
