Jessie Taylor
Making your own candles is a fun and easy way to spend an afternoon. It's also a great way to save money and create a beautifully lit, aromatherapy-infused atmosphere in your home. Whether you're crafting candles for yourself or as a gift, you'll find the process simple and therapeutic. The basic candle-making process involves melting wax, adding fragrance or colour, securing a wick, and pouring the wax into a container. However, there are endless ways to customise your candles, from choosing eco-friendly ingredients to experimenting with shapes, scents, and decorations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | 20 minutes |
| Ingredients | Wax, wicks, essential oils, crayons, dried flowers, etc. |
| Equipment | Double boiler, oven, glass bowl, kitchen scale, thermometer, etc. |
| Procedure | Melt wax, add scent, attach wick, pour wax into container, let it cool and harden |
| Customization | Scent, colour, shape, size, type of wax and wick |
| Cost | $2-$10 for a pound of soy wax flakes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
The type of wax you choose for your DIY candle will depend on your priorities. Are you looking for something natural, eco-friendly, and sustainable? Or are you more interested in a wax that holds scent and colour well? Perhaps cost is your main consideration.
Paraffin wax
Paraffin is the most common wax used in commercial candles. It is cheap, holds scent and colour well, and has a melt point of 49°C–82°C (120°F–180°F), depending on the blend. However, paraffin is a by-product of petroleum and releases potentially harmful chemicals when burned, so it is not a sustainable option.
Soy wax
Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil and is a popular eco-friendly option for DIY candle makers. It is natural, biodegradable, and renewable. Soy wax produces very little soot when burned and has a slower burn time, so your candles will last longer. It is also cost-effective, with a pound of soy wax flakes (enough for three eight-ounce candles) typically costing between $2 and $10. However, soy wax is prone to sinkholes—small dips or holes that form around the wick as the wax contracts when setting.
Beeswax
Beeswax is another natural wax option. It has a subtle sweet fragrance without the need for added oil, but it can be more expensive than other types of wax.
When choosing a wax, it is also important to consider the form it comes in. Candle wax is typically available as shavings, flakes, or blocks, and can be purchased in bulk from craft stores or online suppliers.
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Adding colour
If you're using powdered dye, start by melting your wax in a melting pot or saucepan on a very low heat. Weigh out 100g of wax and add 2g of dye, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes to ensure the colour is evenly distributed. You can add more dye gradually until you achieve your desired colour. Remember that candle dyes are extremely concentrated, so a little goes a long way. The amount of dye you'll need depends on the depth of colour you want and the number of candles you're making. For a pound of wax, you'll need 0.227g of dye. Once you're happy with the colour, allow the wax to cool to 135-140 °F (57-60 °C) before pouring it into your mould.
If you're using liquid dye, the process is similar. Melt your wax and add the liquid dye gradually, stirring continuously until you achieve the desired shade. Again, it is important to stir continuously to ensure the colour is evenly distributed.
You can also get creative and experiment with different colour combinations and orders to create unique designs. Try twisting two colours of wax around each other to create a spiral effect, or use different shades of the same colour to create a gradient effect.
Another option is to use crayons to colour your candles. Simply remove the paper label, add a few pieces of crayon to your melted wax, and stir until the colour is evenly distributed.
No matter which method you choose, always make sure to protect your work area with a plastic cover and have paper towels handy in case of spills.
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Adding scent
Adding a scent to your candle is a great way to make it unique and personalised. You can use essential oils, fragrance oils, or dried herbs to add a natural scent to your candle.
If you're using essential oils, you'll need around 10 drops for every 4 cups of wax. However, this may vary depending on the strength of the oil, so it's best to add the oil gradually and stir well until you achieve the desired scent. You can also experiment with different combinations of oils to create unique fragrances. Just remember not to add too much oil, as this can affect the setting of the wax.
Fragrance oils can also be used, and the amount you need will depend on the type of wax you're using. As a general rule, aim for 1 ounce of fragrance oil for every 1 pound of wax. Always follow the instructions on your wax package for the correct amount.
Dried herbs can also be added for a natural scent. Use around 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every 4 cups of wax. You can also combine herbs with essential or fragrance oils for a more complex fragrance.
When adding scent to your candle, it's important to do so while the wax is melted. Simply pour in the oil or herbs and stir well. You can also add crayons to your melted wax to add colour, but be aware that this will not contribute any scent.
Finally, if you're using a mould instead of a container, you may not need to add as much scent, as the scent will be more concentrated. Always remember to trim your wick before lighting your candle, and enjoy your unique, personalised creation!
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Positioning the wick
Firstly, choose the right type of wick for your candle. Wicks with a metal base are the easiest to work with, especially for beginners. You can also opt for wooden wicks, which create a cozy, crackling sound when burned, or cotton wicks, but these may require more experience to handle effectively.
Next, prepare your wick by dipping it into the melting wax. This step will help the wick adhere to the bottom of your container. Quickly stick the wick to the bottom center of your container using a wick sticker, hot glue, or super glue. Ensure the wick is centered and secure before proceeding.
Now, you'll want to stabilize the wick to prevent it from swaying or shifting as you pour in the wax. Lay two chopsticks or skewers across the top of the container, sandwiching the wick between them. Alternatively, you can wrap the top of the wick around a clothespin or stick to keep it centered.
Once the wax has been poured and is hardening, keep an eye on the wick. If it shifts off-center, gently reposition it while the wax is still liquid.
Finally, after the wax has fully hardened, trim the wick to a length of about 1/2 inch. If the wick is too long, it may cause the candle to flicker or produce a tall flame when lit, so be sure to trim it accordingly.
By following these steps, you can ensure your wick is positioned correctly and securely, allowing for a safe and enjoyable candle-burning experience.
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Container selection
When choosing a container for your DIY candle, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, you should select a container that is made from a material that can withstand heat. Glass or metal containers are usually the best options, as they can handle the high temperatures required for melting wax. Avoid using plastic or other flammable materials, as they can melt or catch fire.
Another thing to consider is the size and shape of the container. You'll want to choose a container that is large enough to hold the amount of wax you plan to use, with enough extra space to allow for the wick and any additional decorations you may want to add. The shape of the container can also affect the way your candle burns, so choose a shape that will allow for even melting and burning.
You can find containers for your DIY candles at thrift stores, or you can reuse containers from around your home, such as cleaned-out food jars or other glass or porcelain containers. If you're looking for something more decorative, you can purchase new containers in a variety of fun shapes and sizes from craft stores or online. Just be sure to select a container that is sturdy and has a wide enough opening to easily insert the wick.
Once you've selected your container, you'll need to prepare it for the wax. This includes cleaning the container thoroughly and ensuring it is dry. You may also want to weigh the container to determine how much wax you will need, as well as how much scent oil to use. Finally, you can attach the wick to the bottom of the container using a wick sticker or hot glue, and you'll be ready to start pouring your wax!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need wax, a wick, and a container. Common wax options include paraffin, soy wax, and beeswax. You can use leftover containers, such as glass jars, or buy new ones.
Aim for 1 ounce of scent oil for every 1 pound of wax. Follow the instructions on your wax package for specific measurements.
You can add non-toxic crayons to your melting wax. Choose crayons in the same colour family to create a pretty hue.
Use a wick sticker or hot glue to stick the metal bottom of the wick to the bottom centre of the container. You can also dip the wick in melting wax and quickly stick it to the bottom of the container.
Allow the wax to set for four hours at room temperature.
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