Brooke Martin
Making your own candles is a fun and simple DIY project that can be done at home. Homemade candles can be used as gifts or to create a beautifully lit, aromatherapy-infused atmosphere in your home. Candle-making is part science, part craft, and requires just a few basic supplies and ingredients. With the right tools and techniques, you can make beautiful, natural candles with custom scents and colours. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crafter, candle-making can be a therapeutic and rewarding hobby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 20 minutes |
| Container | Jar |
| Wax | Beeswax or soy |
| Wick | Cotton, paper, zinc, or wood |
| Pot | Melting pot and larger pot for a double boiler |
| Oil | Essential oil or fragrance oil |
| Stove | Stove-top or slow cooker |
| Temperature | 140-185°F |
| Curing | Yes |
| Trimming | Trim wick to 1/4 inch |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax that has a subtle sweet fragrance without the need for added oils. It is a popular choice for candle makers due to its eco-friendly and non-toxic properties. However, beeswax can be more expensive than other types of wax.
Soy Wax
Soy wax is another natural option that is often more affordable than beeswax. It is made from hydrogenated soybean oil and typically comes in the form of flakes or pellets. Soy wax burns cleanly and slowly, making it a good choice for candles.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is a common and economical choice for candle making. It is derived from petroleum, which makes it less natural than other options. Paraffin wax has a high melting point, which can affect the scent throw of the candle.
Coconut Wax
Coconut wax is a natural and renewable resource that is increasingly being used in candle making. It has a high melting point, which allows for a longer burn time. Coconut wax also has a creamy texture and a subtle natural scent.
Hybrid Blends
You can also choose to use a blend of different waxes, such as a combination of soy, coconut, and paraffin wax. This allows you to customise the properties of your candle, such as melting point, scent throw, and burn time.
When choosing the right wax, consider factors such as cost, natural ingredients, melting point, and the desired scent and appearance of your candle. Each type of wax has unique properties that will influence the final product, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
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Picking a vessel
Firstly, you should consider the size of the vessel. This will depend on the amount of wax you plan to use and the desired burn time for your candle. Larger vessels will require more wax and will result in a longer-lasting candle. It's important to ensure that your vessel is made of heat-resistant material, such as glass or metal, to prevent any accidents.
Next, you should think about the shape of the vessel. This will impact the overall aesthetic of your candle and can also affect the way the wax melts and burns. Traditional candle vessels are often cylindrical or tapered, but you can get creative and choose a unique shape, such as a geometric design, to make your candle stand out.
The material of the vessel is another important consideration. Glass and metal are common choices, but you can also opt for sustainable and recyclable materials such as soy or beeswax containers. If you plan to add colour or fragrance to your candle, ensure that the vessel is made of a material that won't be affected by these additives.
Finally, you should consider any additional design elements you may want to incorporate. For example, you might want to decorate your vessel with labels, ribbons, or other embellishments to give it a personalised touch.
Overall, picking the right vessel for your candle involves considering the size, shape, material, and any decorative elements that will make your candle unique and enjoyable to use.
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Adding fragrance
The ratio of wax to fragrance oil is crucial for a strong-scented, clean-burning candle. Most candles perform optimally when the wax accounts for 93% of the candle, with fragrance oil making up the remaining 7%. Adding too much fragrance oil can lead to issues such as liquid beads of oil pooling on the candle's surface and the production of black soot.
When measuring out your wax, it's helpful to use a container that will become your candle and a kitchen scale to determine the amount of scent oil needed. A double boiler setup is ideal for melting the wax, as it ensures even heating. Once your wax is melted, simply add the fragrance oil and stir with a spoon to combine.
For a heavier fragrance, a larger wick may be required. It's important to test different combinations of wax, wicks, and fragrances to find the right balance. The curing process, which involves allowing the candle to rest for at least 24 hours, helps the wax and fragrance oils to marinate together, enhancing the scent.
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Centering the wick
Prepare the Wick
Before centering, prepare your wick by attaching a wick sticker to the metal bottom of the wick. This will help to hold the wick in place at the bottom of your container. If you don't have wick stickers, you can use a dab of hot glue or a few drops of wax to secure the wick to the bottom of your container.
Center the Wick
Place the wick in the center of your container. You can use a variety of tools to help with this step, including:
- Metal wick tabs: These add weight to the bottom of the wick, making it easier to center.
- Double-sided tape: Press the wick tab to the center of the container with the tape.
- Pre-waxed wick: Wrap the wick around any long object that can span the top of the jar, such as a pencil, chopstick, skewer, butter knife, or bobby pin.
- EZ Wick Setter: A tool specifically designed for centering wicks, available from CandleScience.
- Paper cutout: Create a paper cutout of the bottom of your jar, with a tape-stick attachment to help balance the wick as you lower it.
Secure the Wick
Once your wick is centered, use tools like chopsticks, pencils, skewers, or clothes pegs to hold it in place while the wax sets. This will ensure that your wick remains centered as the candle hardens.
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Curing the candle
Curing a candle is the process of allowing it to cool, harden, and condense after it has been made. This process ensures that the fragrance molecules are dispersed evenly throughout the candle, and it can take anywhere from 24 hours to two weeks or more. The optimal curing time depends on the type of wax used and the desired scent throw.
Vegetable waxes, such as soy and RCX, tend to harden more over time, and it is recommended that they cure for at least 10 to 14 days. During this time, the wax continues to undergo polymorphic hardening, which can affect the performance of the candle. Burning a candle too soon after pouring may lead to issues such as an oversized wick or uneven burning.
The curing process also impacts the scent of the candle. While some candles may have a strong scent throw after only 24 hours, others may need a week or more of burn testing to determine the true strength and quality of the fragrance. The subjective nature of scent makes it difficult to quantify, and smaller candle-making operations often rely on the opinions of various testers to determine the optimal curing time for their products.
To ensure the best curing conditions, it is recommended to cure candles at room temperature, away from windows and drafts. Using a wire cooling rack can help regulate the temperature and prevent the candle from cooling too quickly or unevenly. Keeping the curing room at a consistent warm temperature and preheating the glassware can also improve the curing process.
By allowing your candles to cure adequately, you can avoid common issues such as oily surfaces, uneven burning, and a weak scent throw. The curing process is an important step in candle-making that ensures your candles perform well and provide a pleasant fragrance experience.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need wax, a container, a double boiler, a thermometer, a wick, and fragrance oils.
Soy wax is a popular choice because it is eco-friendly, biodegradable, and has a long burn time. Beeswax is another natural option, but it is not vegan-friendly. Paraffin wax is cheap and holds scent and colour well, but it releases harmful fumes and is not eco-friendly.
Measure how much wax you need to fill your container, then double it. Soy wax is usually sold in flakes or pellets, and 500g of soy wax will make around 20 tea lights.
Use a double boiler to melt the wax. Fill a saucepan with water and place a pouring pitcher inside. Heat the water to a medium-high temperature and add the wax to the pitcher. Stir with a heat-resistant spatula until the wax reaches 185°F (85°C) or 70-75°C if you are using soy wax.
Once the wax has melted, add your desired amount of fragrance oil and stir for a few seconds. To add colour, you can mix in chopped-up crayons in a complementary colour palette.
