Jessie Taylor
Soy candles are long-lasting, eco-friendly, and easy to make at home. They are a popular choice for those seeking an affordable, natural alternative to traditional paraffin candles, which can emit harmful chemicals. Soy candles are known for their excellent cold throw, long-lasting slow burn, and opaque white finish. They also burn cleaner than paraffin candles and are less sticky, making them easier to handle. With a few basic tools and simple steps, you can create beautiful, personalised soy candles that make wonderful gifts for your eco-conscious friends and loved ones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax | Soy wax flakes |
| Wax quantity | 1.5 cups of unmelted wax for one 8-ounce candle |
| Container | Glass bowl, candle tins, or jars |
| Heat source | Double boiler |
| Heat temperature | 185°F (85°C) |
| Wick | Cotton wicks |
| Wick centering | Metal wick-centering devices |
| Scent | Essential oils, fragrance oils |
| Color | Wax dye |
| Cooling time | 1-2 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
Soy wax is one of the most popular plant-based waxes on the market, known for its excellent cold throw, long-lasting slow burn, and opaque white finish. Soy candles are also eco-friendly, easy to clean, and affordable to make. Soy wax usually comes in flake form, which makes it easy to measure and work with.
When choosing the best type of wax, it's helpful to review the properties of the wax. Different waxes are suited to different types of candles, but soy wax flakes are a great option for natural soy candles. Soy wax is not nearly as sticky as paraffin, which is the most popular base for candles. However, paraffin is a byproduct of crude oil and is known to emit chemicals such as toluene and benzene when burned.
Golden Brands 464 is a popular choice for soy wax, especially for beginners. It comes in flake form, making it easy to handle. Soy wax flakes melt down to approximately half their original volume. For example, 2 cups of soy wax flakes will give you 1 cup of melted wax. To melt the wax, you can use a double boiler by placing a glass bowl or jar over a saucepan with water. Heat the wax until it reaches a temperature of 185°F (85°C) for plain candles or 180-190°F if you plan to add colour.
Once the wax is melted, you can add essential oils or fragrance oils to scent your candle. It's important to note that some essential oils may shift in aroma when exposed to a flame, so it's recommended to use fragrance oils designed for candles if you're a beginner. Stir the wax until it is smooth, then slowly pour it into your chosen container, leaving some room at the top.
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Preparing your workspace
Next, gather all the materials you will need, including your wax, wicks, containers, fragrance or essential oils, a heat source, a heat-proof container, a saucepan, a pouring pitcher, a wooden skewer or popsicle stick, scissors, double-sided tape or glue, and a thermometer if you plan to add colour.
If you are using soy wax flakes, measure out the desired amount into your pouring pitcher. If you are using a block of wax, grate or cut it into small pieces before measuring. You will need approximately twice the volume of wax as the capacity of your candle containers, as the wax will melt down to about half its original volume.
To create a double boiler, fill a saucepan with 2-3 inches of water and place it on a burner or hot plate. Turn the heat to medium-high. Place your heat-proof container containing the wax flakes into the saucepan, ensuring the water level is not so high that it enters the container. Stir occasionally as the wax melts.
If you plan to add colour to your candles, heat the wax to between 180-190 degrees F. This temperature range will ensure the wax is hot enough to dissolve the colourant evenly.
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Adding colour and scent
Soy candles are a great way to express your creativity and they make wonderful gifts for friends and family. You can customise your candles with various colours and scents.
Adding Colour
To add colour to your candles, you can use dye blocks or liquid dye. Dye blocks generally produce more vibrant and darker colours, whereas liquid dye usually produces pastel or lighter shades. Add the dye to the melted wax and stir thoroughly. You can test the final colour by dripping some wax onto a white surface. If you want a darker shade, simply add more dye.
Adding Scent
You can use fragrance oils or essential oils to scent your candles. Fragrance oils are recommended for beginners as they are made specifically for use in candles, making it easier to achieve your desired scent. Essential oils can also be used, but some are better suited for wax melts or soap as they change aroma when exposed to a flame.
When adding scent to your candle, wait until the wax has melted and cooled to the right temperature. The ideal temperature range for adding fragrance is between 80°C and 85°C. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature and add your chosen fragrance oil or essential oil. For a 6% fragrance load, use 1 oz (28 g) of fragrance oil for every 1 lb (454 g) of wax. Stir the mixture well for at least 2 minutes to ensure the fragrance binds with the wax.
Curing Process
After adding colour and scent to your candles, allow them to cure for at least one week and up to two weeks for the best results. During this time, the fragrance will develop and your candles will be ready to burn and enjoy!
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Centering the wick
Centring the wick is a crucial step in soy candle-making, ensuring an even burn and minimising soot formation. Here is a detailed guide on how to centre a wick when making a soy candle:
Firstly, you will need to gather the necessary materials. For centring the wick, you will require a wick sticker, a wick-centring device, and a clothespin or similar item. You can purchase wick-centring devices separately or opt for a soy wax kit that includes both the wax and the centring tool. Basic cotton wicks are a good option for beginners, but you can also explore other types like wooden or zinc core wicks.
Once you have your materials, prepare your workspace by placing a few layers of newspaper on the surface to protect it from any spilled wax. This step is important as it ensures easy cleanup and prevents damage to your work area.
Now, you can begin the process of centring the wick. Start by placing a wick sticker on the bottom metal tab of your chosen wick. This will help secure the wick in place at the bottom of your candle container. Position the wick in the centre of your chosen container, ensuring it is as straight as possible. Use the wick-centring device to adjust the wick and achieve the correct placement.
Next, thread the top of the wick through a clothespin or similar object that will hold it in place. Rest the clothespin on top of the jar, allowing the wick to remain centred. This setup will keep the wick suspended in the centre of the container as you pour the melted wax.
Finally, carefully pour your melted wax into the jar, being mindful to maintain the wick's centred position. Leave a small gap at the top of the jar, about an inch, to allow for wax expansion and prevent overflow. Allow the wax to harden for approximately 1-2 hours before removing the clothespin and trimming the wick to the desired length.
By following these steps, you can effectively centre the wick in your soy candle, ensuring a neat appearance and optimal burning characteristics.
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Trimming the wick
It is recommended that you trim the wick before each use to ensure the candle burns safely and brightly. If you forget to trim the wick before lighting your candle, allow it to cool down before trimming. You can use a pair of small scissors or a specialised ""wick clipper" to trim the wick. The wick clipper has the added benefit of catching the trimmed carbon in a small metal hammock, preventing a mess.
If you accidentally trim the wick too short, you can salvage your candle by lighting it and letting it burn for about 30 minutes to melt the wax pool. Once the wax has melted, extinguish the flame and dispose of the wax.
In addition to trimming the wick, it is important to remove any debris from the wax before lighting your candle to ensure a safe burn.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need soy wax, a heat-proof container, a pot, a flat surface, candle wicks, a clothespin, and a container for your candle. You can also add fragrance oils, essential oils, and wax dye to customise your candle.
Soy wax is a popular option for candle-making as it is natural, has a long burn time, and is easy to clean up. It also tends to burn more evenly in small glass jars. Soy wax usually comes in flake form, which makes it easy to measure and handle.
Soy wax usually melts down to about half of its original volume. Therefore, 4 cups of flakes should give you approximately 2 cups of melted wax, which equals 16 fluid ounces. This should be enough to make two 8-ounce candles.
To melt the wax, fill a medium saucepan with water and heat it on medium-high heat. Place a pouring pitcher on a digital scale, weigh out 16 ounces of wax, and place the pitcher with the wax in the saucepan. Allow the wax to melt to 185°F (85°C).
Once the wax has completely melted, add in the desired amount of wax dye and stir thoroughly. For fragrance, you can use essential oils or fragrance oils. However, essential oils may change aroma when exposed to a flame, so fragrance oils are recommended for beginners.
