Maddie James
Making your own candles is a fun and simple activity that can be done at home with minimal equipment. It's a great way to express your creativity and experiment with different colours, scents and containers. With a few basic supplies, such as wax, wicks, fragrance oils and a heat source, you can create unique candles that make excellent gifts for any occasion. The process is therapeutic and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, making it a perfect hobby to take up. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crafter, candle-making offers endless possibilities for customisation and is a great way to add a personal touch to your home or someone else's.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 20 minutes |
| Ingredients | Wax (beeswax, soy wax, paraffin wax, coconut wax), wick, pot, stove-top, essential oil/fragrance oil |
| Method | Melt wax, pour into container, secure wick, add fragrance, let cool and solidify |
| Scent | Fragrance oils, essential oils, dried herbs (roses, lavender, rosemary), coffee beans |
| Curing Time | 24 hours to 7 days |
| Wick | Trim to 1 inch or 1/4 inch |
| Wax Measurement | Fill container with wax pellets and use kitchen scale to find weight |
| Double Boiler | Use saucepan/pot filled halfway with water, place heat-safe bowl/glass measuring cup/candle pourer inside |
| Wax Type | Shredded, cubed, chunks |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your wax
When choosing the type of wax to use for your candle, you should consider its properties and how they align with the type of candle you want to make. Common waxes for candle-making include soy, coconut, paraffin, beeswax, or a hybrid blend.
Soy wax is a natural, plant-based wax that is known for its excellent cold throw, long-lasting slow burn, and opaque white finish. It is usually more affordable than beeswax and is a great option for beginners. Soy wax flakes are a popular choice for natural soy candles, and Golden Brands 464 is a great option for beginners. To achieve a strong hot throw, soy candles should cure for at least one week before burning.
Beeswax is another natural option, but it tends to be more expensive. It has a subtle sweet fragrance even without adding oil.
Paraffin wax is the most economical option but is the least natural. It is often used in parasoy wax, which is a blend of paraffin and soy wax. Parasoy wax is known for its smooth top and good hot throw.
Coconut wax is also an option, but it is important to note that it is soft and may not be suitable for shipping.
The type of wax you choose will also influence the curing time of your candle. Curing your candle allows the wax and fragrance oils to marinate together, improving the strength of the scent. Most candles should cure for at least seven days, but soy candles may require a longer curing time of up to three weeks.
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Picking a fragrance
Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are specially formulated to make your candles last longer. They offer similar relaxing and calming sensations associated with essential oils. You can also use synthetic fragrance oils, which come in various scent combinations.
Another option is to use perfumes to scent your candles. You can use your favourite perfume or cologne to bring a cozy ambiance to your home. When using perfumes, it is important to monitor the temperature and aim for around 185°F (85°C) to properly bind with the wax.
Additionally, consider the percentage of fragrance in your candle mixture. Most waxes can hold up to 12% fragrance, but premium candles typically contain up to 10%. To calculate the amount of fragrance needed, you can use the total weight method or the wax weight-only method. The former calculates the fragrance percentage relative to the total weight of the candle, while the latter provides a more precise calculation of the exact fragrance concentration in the wax.
Finally, when adding your chosen fragrance, ensure that the wax temperature is below the flashpoint of the fragrance. The flashpoint is the temperature at which the fragrance can ignite. For optimal diffusion, integrate your fragrance at a temperature below its flashpoint.
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Preparing your wick
Firstly, you will need to decide on the type of wick you want to use. Different wicks suit different types of candles, so it is important to do your research. Cotton wicks are a popular choice for candle makers. You can purchase wicks from craft stores or online suppliers.
Next, you will need to cut your wick to size. Measure the height of your candle vessel and cut the wick slightly longer, allowing for some trimming after the candle has been made. You can use a straight object like a pencil or a ruler to ensure the wick is straight and centred in your vessel.
To secure the wick in place, you can use wick stickers. Place the wick sticker at the base of your vessel and press the wick firmly into place. You can also use a small amount of hot wax to secure the base of the wick.
If you are making multiple candles, it is a good idea to test the wicks first. Create plain wax candles with each wick and allow them to solidify. Observe the performance of each wick—if the flame looks wild or sooty, or the wax melts too quickly, the wick is too large.
Finally, once your candle is made and the wax has hardened, trim the wick to around 1/4 inch before lighting. Trimming the wick will improve the burn time and quality, resulting in a cleaner-burning candle with less soot.
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Melting the wax
Choosing the Right Wax
There are various types of wax available for candle-making, including soy wax, coconut wax, paraffin wax, beeswax, and blends. Each type has unique properties, melting points, and costs. For beginners, soy wax flakes or beeswax pellets are great options as they are natural and easy to work with.
Measuring the Wax
Before melting, you need to measure the wax. A kitchen scale is useful for this step. Fill your chosen container (such as a jar or tin) with wax pellets or flakes to determine the weight. This measurement will help you calculate the amount of scent or dye to add later.
Preparing the Double Boiler
The double boiler method is commonly used to melt wax safely. It involves using two pots: a larger one filled with water and a smaller heat-safe container, such as a melting pot or bowl, for the wax. The water in the larger pot should cover at least halfway up the smaller container. This method ensures the wax melts indirectly and prevents burning.
Place the larger pot on a stovetop burner or hot plate and turn the heat to medium-high. Allow the water to reach a lively simmer. Then, place the container with your measured wax into the simmering water. The warm water will gently melt the wax. You can also use a microwave or oven to melt the wax, but a stovetop is generally recommended for more precise temperature control.
Adding Scent and Colour
Once the wax is melted, it's time to add your desired scent and colour. For scent, use essential oils or fragrance oils specifically designed for candle-making. Follow the recommended dosage on the package, and maintain a ratio of 93% wax to 7% fragrance oil to avoid excess oil pooling on the candle's surface. For colour, use dye blocks or liquid dye, adding a little at a time until you achieve your desired shade.
Remember to work carefully and patiently when melting the wax, as it is an essential step in creating beautiful and personalised candles.
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Pouring and curing
When you're ready to pour your candle, grab your heat-proof container, such as a jar or tin, and place your wick in the centre, securing it with a pencil or clothespin to ensure it stays upright. You can also use wick stickers to secure the wick to the base of your vessel.
Next, carefully pour your melted wax into the container. Be sure to follow the correct ratio of wax to fragrance oil—most candles perform best when the wax accounts for 93% of the candle and the fragrance oil 7%. If you add too much oil, you may see liquid beads of oil pool on top of the candle, and it may produce black soot.
Your candle will take anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours to fully cool, depending on factors like the temperature the wax was heated to and the type of wax used.
Curing your candle is an important step to improve the strength of its scent. This involves waiting for a period before lighting it—similar to marinating food before cooking. You should cure your candle for at least 24 hours, or up to 7 days for soy candles, to allow the wax and fragrance oils to properly marinate together. Once the wax is solid, trim the wick down to about 1 inch before lighting your candle.
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Frequently asked questions
Basic supplies include wax, a wick, a heat-proof container, a stove-top or something similar to melt the wax, and fragrance or essential oils.
Common waxes for candle-making include soy, coconut, paraffin, beeswax, or a hybrid blend. Soy wax is a great option for beginners and those seeking a natural option.
Most candles perform best when the wax accounts for 93% of the candle and the fragrance oil accounts for the remaining 7%. It is important to follow this ratio, as adding more fragrance oil can cause the candle to produce black soot.
It typically takes 20 minutes to make a candle, but candles can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours to fully cool. It is recommended to cure your candles for at least 7 days before lighting them to improve the strength of the scent.
