Chloe Adams
Candles are a great way to set a relaxing ambiance and make your home smell inviting. However, many candles are made with paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum that releases harmful pollutants when burned. To avoid these toxins, you can make your own organic candles at home using natural ingredients such as beeswax, carnauba wax, or soy wax, and essential oils for fragrance. This simple DIY project allows you to customize your candles with different scents and styles, creating thoughtful, handmade gifts for friends and family. All you need is wax, wicks, essential oils, and containers such as jars or teacups. With just a few basic supplies and easy-to-follow instructions, you can craft your own natural candles with a personalized touch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Wax, wicks, essential oils, jars |
| Wax types | Soy wax, beeswax, rapeseed wax, carnauba wax, paraffin-free soy |
| Wick types | Cotton, wooden |
| Containers | Glass jars, teacups, any heatproof container |
| Equipment | Double boiler, thermometer, wooden skewer/chopstick/spoon, pot/stove-top, wax melting cup |
| Process | Melt wax, add essential oils, secure wick, pour wax into container, trim wick |
| Customisations | Layered scents, dried herbs/flowers, colourants, additional fragrance oils |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing wax: soy, beeswax, or rapeseed
When making your own organic homemade candles, the type of wax you choose will depend on your desired fragrance, colour, and sustainability. Here are the key considerations for choosing between soy, beeswax, or rapeseed wax:
Soy Wax
Soy wax, made from soybean oil, is a popular choice for candle-making due to its affordability, accessibility, and longer burning time compared to paraffin wax. It has a lower melting point than other waxes, so it should be poured into containers to create candles. Soy wax also holds fragrance better than beeswax, making it ideal if you plan to add essential oils or other fragrances to your candles. Soy wax is a good option if you live in a region where soy is readily available, such as the US.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural, fragrant solid at room temperature, with a distinct honey-like scent. It has a high melting point, which means it takes longer to melt and solidifies quickly, giving you less time to work with it. Beeswax is not considered vegan and may not be environmentally friendly, depending on its sourcing. However, it has a long tradition in candle-making and burns cleanly. If you plan to use beeswax, look for "certified organic" options to ensure ethical sourcing.
Rapeseed Wax
Rapeseed wax is a sustainable, renewable, and eco-friendly alternative to soy wax or palm wax. It is particularly sustainable if you live in a region where rapeseed is a common crop, such as Europe. Rapeseed wax is also less expensive than beeswax and has an appealing ivory colour, making it a great option for creating coloured candles. Additionally, rapeseed wax is excellent for fragrance retention and offers an extended burn time.
When choosing between soy, beeswax, or rapeseed wax for your homemade organic candles, consider factors such as fragrance, colour, sustainability, and accessibility. Each type of wax has unique properties that will influence the final product, so select the one that best aligns with your desired outcome.
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Preparing containers: jars, teacups, or any heatproof container
Preparing containers is the first step in making your own organic homemade candle. You can use jars, teacups, or any heatproof container. It is important to ensure that your containers are clean, dry, and at room temperature. This is to make sure that the wax does not crack when poured into the containers.
If you are using old candle jars, place them in the freezer for a couple of days. After removing the jars from the freezer, gently scrape out the old wax and wick. Alternatively, you can leave the old wax and just remove the wick, as you will be pouring new wax into the jar.
When selecting a container, it is important to consider the type of wax you are using. Beeswax candles tend to cave in at the top as they solidify, so a mix of beeswax and organic coconut oil (75% beeswax and 25% organic coconut oil) is recommended. The size of the container will also determine the size of the wick. The wick size is determined by the diameter of the container, so be sure to use a sizing chart to select the correct wick size.
Once you have selected and prepared your containers, you can move on to the next step of making your organic homemade candle.
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Melting wax: use a double boiler
Melting wax using a double boiler is a safe and economical way to make candles at home. This method is useful if you're concerned about wax sticking to your pot. It's also a great way to create candles without spending a lot on fancy equipment.
To melt wax using a double boiler, you'll need a large saucepan and a smaller container that can fit inside it, such as a pouring pitcher, a clean coffee can, or another saucepan. Fill the larger saucepan about halfway with water and place it on the stove over medium-low heat. Put your wax in the smaller container and place it inside the larger saucepan. Heat the wax until it's completely melted, stirring occasionally to encourage melting.
It's important not to use too much water, as you want the water to heat the smaller container through steam rather than direct contact. You can add more water to the larger saucepan as needed to prevent it from evaporating. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax.
Once the wax is melted, you can add colour and fragrance. Typically, wax should be heated to 185°F before adding fragrance, but always check with your wax supplier for instructions. Stir the blend for about two minutes to ensure the fragrance is well-dispersed.
Now you're ready to pour your wax blend into your chosen container! Pour at a steady rate, being careful not to introduce too much air into the blend.
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Adding fragrance: essential oils, dried herbs, or flowers
Adding fragrance to your homemade candles can be done in several ways, using essential oils, dried herbs, or flowers.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a popular choice for candle-making as they are natural and used in aromatherapy. They are derived from organic plant matter and contain the strongest scent of that particular plant. You will need around 35 drops of essential oil per 100ml of wax, but this can vary depending on the type of oil and its potency. For example, you may need closer to 100 drops of lavender, grapefruit, or eucalyptus oil to give your candle a strong scent.
It is important to add essential oils after the wax has melted, and at a temperature below 185°F, as high heat will burn off the fragrance. Once you have added the essential oils, stir the mixture for a good two minutes to allow the molecules to bond with the wax.
Dried Herbs and Flowers
Dried herbs and flowers can also be used to scent and decorate your candles. Popular choices include lavender, rosemary, chamomile, and mint. You can add the dried herbs and flowers directly to the melted wax before pouring it into your jar, or you can add them to the jar before pouring in the wax. Stirring the mixture while it cools can help to distribute the herbs or flowers evenly throughout the wax.
Keep in mind that dried herbs and flowers are lighter than wax and will mostly float to the top. To avoid this, don't pack in too many herbs or flowers, and try to stir them away from the wick as the wax solidifies.
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Pouring wax and curing candles
Once you have melted your wax, added any essential oils, and secured your wicks, you are ready to pour your wax and cure your candles.
Pouring Wax
First, make sure your wick is secured in the centre of your container. You can use a wick sticker, hot glue, or tape to secure the wick to the bottom centre of your container. You can also dip the wick in the melted wax and place it in the centre of your container, pressing it down with a utensil (not your fingers). Then, suspend the wick in the middle of the container by wrapping the excess length around a pencil or skewer that is balanced horizontally across the jar opening.
Next, carefully pour the wax into your container, leaving about half an inch of space at the top. If you are using beeswax, leave a full inch of space, as beeswax tends to sink in the middle as it solidifies. If you are using multiple containers, repeat this process until all your jars are full. Depending on the size of your containers, you may have some wax leftover.
Curing Candles
Leave your candles to stand until they are solid, which can take 30 to 60 minutes. You may need to leave them overnight to fully cool. Once solid, trim the wicks to your desired length. If you notice any pooling or sinking in the middle of your candles, melt some extra wax and top them up, covering the whole surface with a thin layer of wax. This will not affect the burn.
Troubleshooting
If you are using beeswax, your candles may sink in the middle as the outside wax cools faster than the wax near the wick. To prevent this, mix your beeswax with coconut oil, or leave space at the top of your jar to cover up any caving with melted wax. If you are using 100% beeswax, you will need to buy wicks that are one size larger than recommended or purchase high-temperature wicks.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need wax, wicks, essential oils, a jar or container, and a stove-top or slow cooker. Soy wax or beeswax are good options for natural wax, and cotton or wooden wicks work best with these.
Soy wax is a popular choice as it holds fragrance well, but some people prefer beeswax for its natural honey scent. You could also try rapeseed wax or carnauba wax.
You can use essential oils to scent your candle. You will need around 80-100 drops to achieve a strong scent. You can experiment with different essential oil combinations to find your signature scent.
You can melt the wax in a pot over low-medium heat. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler to avoid the wax sticking to your pot. You should use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and avoid combustion.
First, centre the wick in your container and secure it with a little melted wax or a wick sticker. Then, carefully pour the wax into the container, keeping the wick centred with a wick holder.
