Brooke Martin
Candles are a great way to make your home feel cozier, but they can be a little pricey. Luckily, it's easy to make your own candles at home, and you can control the ingredients and fragrance. All you need is wax, a wick, and a container, though you can also add essential oils or fragrance oils to add a scent. You can even add dye to give your candle colour. To get started, measure out your wax, melt it, and add your scent and dye, if using. Then, secure your wick in your container and pour in the wax. Allow your candle to cool and harden, then trim the wick and it's ready to use!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | 20 minutes to 1 hour |
| Materials | Wax, wick, container, stove, pot, water, scale, thermometer, mould, essential oil, fragrance oil, natural dye, clothespin, pencil, skewer, stick, tape, glue, non-stick cooking spray, wick stickers, wick putty |
| Steps | 1. Measure wax. 2. Melt wax. 3. Add scent and colour. 4. Prepare mould or container. 5. Anchor wick. 6. Pour wax into mould or container. 7. Cool wax. 8. Trim wick. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
The type of wax you choose will depend on your preference and what you have available. You can use beeswax, soy wax, or a combination of both. Soy wax flakes melt fairly easily over low to medium heat. You can also melt wax in the microwave at 30-second intervals until it is fully liquified.
The amount of wax you will need depends on the size of your container. The easiest way to measure this is to fill your container with wax pellets and then weigh them on a kitchen scale. This will help you determine how much scent oil to use. Most candles perform best when the wax accounts for 93% of the candle and the fragrance oil accounts for the remaining 7%.
When melting your wax, it is important not to overheat it. A double boiler is a good option as it heats the wax evenly and makes it less likely to overheat. To create a double boiler, fill a pot with water and place it on the stove. Place a metal container with your wax inside the pot of water. Heat the water, which will in turn warm the metal container and melt your wax. Your wax needs to reach a temperature between 160 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Preparing the wick
Once you have selected the appropriate wick, you can prepare it by cutting it to the correct length. The wick should be long enough to reach the bottom of the vessel and extend a few inches above the top of the candle. You can use a wick sticker or hot glue to attach the metal base of the wick to the centre of the vessel. Alternatively, you can use a bit of wax to anchor the wick to the bottom of the vessel.
To keep the wick upright, you can use a clothespin, pencil, skewer, or stick. Place the pin or pencil on top of the vessel, or tape the wick to a horizontal stick. You can also use wick putty or strong tape to secure the wick and prevent wax from leaking out.
After the wax has been poured and cooled, you can trim the wick to the desired length. For basic poured candles, trim the wick at the top of the candle flush with the wax, and trim the wick at the base to 1/4 inch.
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Adding scent and colour
Adding Scent:
Firstly, weigh your wax using a kitchen scale. This step is crucial as it helps you determine the amount of scent or fragrance oil to add. Generally, candles perform best when the wax accounts for about 93% of the candle, and the fragrance oil makes up the remaining 7%.
Next, melt your wax using a double boiler. A double boiler is simply a pot of water on the stove with a metal container placed inside. This method ensures even heating and prevents overheating. Heat the wax to a temperature between 160-185°Fahrenheit.
Once the wax reaches the desired temperature, remove the container from the hot water and add your chosen fragrance oil. Stir the oil thoroughly into the wax to ensure even distribution.
Adding Colour:
There are various methods and materials you can use to add colour to your candles, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
- Candle Colouring Dye: Candle colouring dyes are available in liquid or block form and can be added directly to your wax. Soy dye flakes, for example, are recommended for pastel to medium colours, but can also achieve deep shades. Add the dye when the wax is at its hottest (around 185°F) to ensure it fully melts and blends.
- Crayons: Crayons are primarily made of wax and can be used to add colour to your candles. However, they also contain insoluble pigments/oxides, which are powder colourants. Some colours have denser pigmentation and more powder particles, which can quickly clog the candle wick, causing the candle to burn out prematurely.
- Food Colouring: Standard liquid or gel food colouring provides a wide range of colours and is economical. However, these colourants contain ingredients like water, propylene glycol, glycerin, and other additives that cannot bond with the wax and may be unsafe around an open flame.
- Natural Minerals: Mica, a naturally occurring mineral, has been used in cosmetic products and can add a reflective, glitter-like quality to your candles. While it may not be the best option for a primary colourant, mica can be used as a finishing touch to your candle.
Remember to always exercise caution when working with colourants and fragrances, and follow best practices for safe candle-making. Enjoy crafting your unique, scented, and colourful homemade candles!
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Melting and pouring the wax
Melting the wax is the first step in the candle-making process. The wax can be melted in a melting pot or directly on a stovetop. If using a melting pot, place it inside a larger pot filled with enough water to cover at least half of the melting pot. Heat the water over medium heat to create a double boiler effect, which ensures even heating and prevents overheating. Alternatively, place a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer.
For the wax, the recommended amount is 12 ounces, which can be in the form of wax pellets or flakes. Place the wax in a metal container and submerge it into the simmering water. Stir the wax occasionally with a disposable wooden utensil, such as a chopstick or pencil, to facilitate even melting. Avoid using metal utensils as the wax will stick to them. Continue heating until the wax is fully melted, which should take around ten minutes.
It is important to monitor the temperature of the wax during the melting process. Use a thermometer to check the temperature, aiming for a range between 160 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the wax from the heat source. At this point, you can add fragrance or essential oils to the melted wax. The amount of oil added will depend on its potency, with stronger oils requiring less volume. For essential oils, you may need up to 100 drops to achieve a strong scent. Stir the mixture well to ensure even distribution of the fragrance.
Before pouring the wax, prepare your container or mould by securing the wick in place. Place the wick in the centre of the container, using wick stickers or hot glue to attach the metal bottom to the container's bottom. You can also use putty or strong tape to secure the wick and prevent wax leakage. To keep the wick upright, anchor it to a horizontal pencil, skewer, or stick placed across the container's opening.
Now, you are ready to pour the wax into your prepared container or mould. Pour carefully and slowly to avoid splashing or overflowing. Fill the container until it is nearly full, leaving about 1 1/2 inches of space below the rim. At this stage, you can also add dried herbs like lavender or rosemary for additional scent and texture.
Allow the wax to cool and solidify completely. This may take about 20 minutes or longer, depending on the size of your container. You can expedite the cooling process by placing the filled container in a cold-water bath, although this step is optional. Once the wax has hardened, trim the wick to the desired length, typically about 1/4 inch, and your candle is now ready for use or gifting!
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Troubleshooting and finishing touches
The most important thing to remember when making candles at home is that the process is meant to be simple and therapeutic. However, there are a few common issues that you may encounter.
Firstly, if your wick is too thin, the flame may be small and prone to extinguishing. Conversely, if the wick is too thick, the flame may melt the wax too quickly. It is important to select the appropriate size of wick for your candle vessel. Thinner wicks are generally better suited for small candles, while thicker wicks are used for larger candles.
Secondly, the wax may not melt evenly or may overheat. To avoid this, use a double boiler or a low to medium heat setting when melting the wax. Stir the wax frequently to prevent overheating and promote even melting.
Once the wax has melted, you can add your choice of essential oils or fragrance oils. If you want a stronger scent, opt for fragrance oils as they are more concentrated. However, if you prefer a natural option, essential oils are the way to go. Keep in mind that you may need to add more oil than you expect to achieve a strong scent, especially with essential oils.
After adding your chosen oils, pour the wax into your vessel. You can use skewers or popsicle sticks to help keep the wick in place while the wax sets. Allow the wax to cool completely, which may take 20 minutes or longer.
Finally, trim the wick to the appropriate length. For the base of the candle, trim the wick to 1/4 inch. For the top of the candle, trim the wick so that it is flush with the wax. And there you have it—your very own homemade candle!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need wax, a wick, a container, a pot, a stove, and essential or fragrance oil for scent (optional).
Measure out 12 ounces of wax. You can melt the wax directly in the melting pot, but using a double boiler ensures the wax doesn't overheat. Heat the wax to 160-185°F.
Add 1 ounce of fragrance oil or 80-100 drops of essential oil to the melted wax.
Place the wick in the centre of your vessel. Use a wick sticker or hot glue to stick the metal bottom of the wick to the bottom centre of the container.
Pour the melted wax into the container. Allow the wax to cool and solidify. Once the candle hardens, trim the wick and it's ready to use!
