Ben Carter
Candles are a great way to create a cosy atmosphere, and making your own is a fun and rewarding project. Whether you're looking to remelt an old candle or create a new one from scratch, adding essential oils can infuse your candle with your favourite scent. Essential oils are derived from organic plant matter, and as such, they contain the strongest scents of that particular plant. For example, you could use lavender, sweet orange, mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, or ginger and marjoram. You can melt the wax on the stovetop or in the microwave, but be careful not to overheat it, as this will cause the essential oils to evaporate. Once the wax is melted, simply add your chosen essential oil, pour it into a mould, and let it set.
Remelting candles and adding essential oil
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax type | Paraffin wax, synthetic wax, soy wax, coconut wax, palm wax, beeswax, stearic acid, gelled mineral oil |
| Wax source | Old candles |
| Wax preparation | Rub liquid paraffin on wax, place in a small pot, and melt on low heat |
| Essential oil quantity | 15 drops of essential oil per oz of candle |
| Essential oil type | Pure essential oils |
| Mould type | Jar, tin, teacup, votive glass, silicone mould, ice cube tray |
| Wick type | Wooden wicks, cotton wicks, braided wicks, paper and cotton blend wicks, floating candle wicks |
| Wick preparation | Cut wicking 2 inches taller than the votive holder, knot one end, thread through a wick tab, dip into melted wax, and secure to the bottom of the mould |
| Heating method | Double boiler, saucepan over low heat, or microwave |
| Heating instructions | Heat wax until just melted, remove from heat, add essential oil, and stir if wax is too hot |
| Setting instructions | Pour wax into mould, stopping 1/2 inch below the rim, and let stand until set (about one hour) |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a wax type
When remelting candles and adding essential oils, choosing the right type of wax is essential for achieving the desired finish, texture, and fragrance throw. Different types of wax have different melting points, ranging from 100 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's important to select a wax that will melt at the right temperature for your project. Here are some common types of wax used in candle-making:
Paraffin wax is a popular choice for candles and is available in various melt points, making it suitable for creating container candles or thick pillars. However, paraffin wax tends to produce more soot than other types of wax, so proper wick trimming is necessary.
Soy wax is a solid middle-ground option, offering a slow, steady burn. It is more eco-friendly than paraffin wax but has some environmental concerns related to the soybean industry, such as deforestation, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Beeswax is a natural, honey-scented option that burns clean with minimal soot. It is perfect for pillar and decorative candles, promoting a clean burn.
Coconut wax is a newer, more expensive option that is gaining popularity. It is harvested from coconuts, a sustainable crop, and burns cleanly with little to no soot. Coconut wax is excellent at holding fragrance and colour, making it a good choice for scented candles.
Other types of wax include palm wax, synthetic wax, stearic acid, and gelled mineral oil. You can also find wax blends that combine different types of wax to create more eco-friendly options. When choosing a wax type, consider factors such as burn time, sustainability, fragrance retention, and the type of candle you want to make.
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Melt wax safely
Melting wax can be dangerous if you're not careful, so it's important to take precautions. Here are some tips to melt wax safely:
Do not let the temperature of the wax exceed 250° F. Keep an eye on the temperature, using a thermometer if needed, and remove the wax from the heat source once it has melted.
Never melt wax over direct heat, such as placing it directly in a pot on the stove. Instead, use a double boiler or place the wax in a small pot inside a larger pot filled with water. You can also use a wax melter, which is an appliance designed specifically for melting wax and typically has temperature control features.
If using the microwave method, ensure you are using a microwave-safe container, such as ceramic, heatproof glass, or microwave-safe plastics. Heat the wax in short intervals of 1-2 minutes, stirring between each interval, and monitor the temperature with a thermometer.
Never leave melting wax unattended. Keep melted wax away from children and pets, and use potholders or oven mitts when handling hot containers. Wear safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from potential splashes.
Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a fire. Do not use water to extinguish a wax fire.
Additionally, always be mindful of the type of wax you are melting, as different types of wax have different melting points. For example, the melting point of wax ranges from 100 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Prepare the container
Preparing the container for your new candle is a straightforward process. You can use a jar, a tin, a teacup, or a votive glass—the possibilities are endless! Just make sure that the container is clean and dry. If you're feeling creative, you can head to your local thrift store and choose from a variety of used candle holders, cups, and dessert dishes. Just ensure that the container you select is not flammable or meltable.
Once you've chosen your container, it's time to secure the wick. Cut a piece of wicking that is about 2 inches taller than the container. You can find wicking at craft stores. Knot one end and thread it through a wick tab, which you can also purchase from a craft store. Tie the free end of the wick around a wooden skewer and dip the wick and tab into the melted wax to coat them. Remove the wick from the wax and press the wick tab to the bottom of the container. Rest the skewer on the rim of the container to keep the wick centred and upright.
If you're repurposing an old jar, you can centre and glue the wick to the inside bottom of the jar using wick stickers or a glue gun. You can also use wick holders or chopsticks placed across the top of the jar to keep the wick in place.
Now that your container and wick are ready, you can move on to melting the wax and adding your essential oils.
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Add essential oil
Adding essential oils to candles is a great way to create natural, strongly scented candles with aromatherapy benefits. Essential oils are concentrated, organic plant liquids with the strongest scents, whereas fragrance oils are manufactured synthetically.
First, melt your wax. You can do this in a double boiler, or by placing your wax in a small pot inside a larger pot of simmering water. Different waxes have different melting points, so be mindful of this. Once the wax is melted, remove it from the heat.
Next, add your essential oils. The amount of essential oil you use will depend on the strength of the scent you want. A general rule is to use 15 drops of essential oil per ounce of wax. However, if you are making a small candle, you may find that just a few drops are enough.
It is important to note that if the wax is too hot, the essential oils will evaporate. Therefore, if your wax is very hot, allow it to cool slightly before adding your essential oils and stirring.
You can get creative with your choice of essential oils and blend them to create unique scents. For example, mint and eucalyptus are invigorating, while cinnamon and orange bring festive fragrances.
Finally, pour the wax into your chosen mould, leaving a small amount of wax in the saucepan. Once the wax in the mould has almost set, you will notice a dip around the wick. Melt the remaining wax and pour it into the dip. Allow the candle to harden fully before removing it from the mould.
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Pour wax into the container
When melting wax to reuse in a new candle, it's important to use the right container. You can use a jar, a tin, a teacup, or a votive glass—the possibilities are endless! Just make sure that the container is clean and dry, and that it is not flammable or meltable. If you're using a jar, it's helpful if it has a pouring spout.
Once you've chosen your container, prepare it by centring and gluing a wick to the inside bottom using wick stickers or a glue gun. Place wick holders (or chopsticks) across the top of the container to keep the wick upright and centred.
Now it's time to pour the wax into the container. After the wax is completely melted, carefully pour it into your prepared container, stopping about 1/2 inch (1 cm) below the rim. Hold the wick in place as you pour. Leave a little bit of wax in the saucepan to use later.
It can take from a few minutes up to a few hours for the candle wax to completely harden. Once the wax is almost completely hard, you will notice a dip around the wick. Take the extra wax you left in the saucepan and make sure it is completely melted. Then, pour this wax into the dip and let it harden completely.
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Frequently asked questions
To remelt candles, first, remove the wax from your candle jars. Place the wax in a saucepan, then melt it on low heat on your stovetop or use the double boiler method.
You’ll want to use 15 drops of essential oil per ounce of candle you are making to get a strongly scented candle.
Essential oils are concentrated liquids derived from organic plant matter. Common essential oils used for candles include lavender, sweet orange, mint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and ginger.
