Chloe Adams
Making your own candles is a fun and simple DIY project that can be taken on by beginners. You can make candles using wax, a wick, a jar, and essential or fragrance oils for scent. The wax can be melted using a stovetop or a slow cooker. The type of wax you use is important—common types include soy, coconut, paraffin, beeswax, or a hybrid blend. You can customise your candles with your favourite scents, such as lavender, eucalyptus, or lemongrass. Once the candle has hardened, you can trim the wick and light your homemade candle!
How to Make Candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 20 minutes |
| Supplies | Jar, wax, wick, pot, stove-top, essential/fragrance oil |
| Wax | Soy wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, parasoy wax, coconut wax |
| Wick | Paper, cotton, zinc, wood |
| Scent | Essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, grapefruit), dried herbs, coffee beans |
| Curing Time | 24 hours |
| Tips | Use a double boiler to melt wax, trim wick to 1 inch, fill cracks with wax |
| Cost | $50-$200 for supplies |
| Gift Ideas | Housewarming, wedding, birthday, Mother's Day, holidays |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing wax: soy, beeswax, paraffin, coconut, or blends
When it comes to choosing the right wax for candle-making, there are several options available, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. The most common types of wax used in candle-making include soy wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, coconut wax, or blends of these waxes.
Soy wax is a popular choice due to its natural and renewable properties, smooth texture, and good scent throw. It has a low melting point, making it easy to work with, and can be combined with other waxes to achieve specific results. For example, blending soy wax with beeswax can create a custom wax blend that is hard and long-lasting yet has a smooth texture and good scent throw.
Beeswax is one of the oldest forms of candle wax, produced by bees during the honey-making process. It is natural but not vegan, and has a higher price point. Beeswax has a high melting point and a tough, solid nature, making it ideal for crafting free-standing pillar candles and container candles. It also has a subtle, sweet natural scent, which can be desirable in candles.
Paraffin wax is a widely used, inexpensive, and versatile option for candle makers. It is derived from petroleum and has been used in candle-making for over a century. Paraffin wax has a high melting point, making it suitable for intricate designs, and it holds fragrance and colour well. However, it is not the most eco-friendly option and produces soot and toxins when burned.
Coconut wax is a newer, natural, renewable, and eco-friendly option that has gained popularity. It is derived from coconut oil and has a creamy white appearance. Coconut wax burns at a cooler temperature than soy wax, resulting in a more even and slower burn. It can hold a larger amount of fragrance and colour, and burns cleanly with minimal soot. However, pure coconut wax can be challenging to work with due to its delicate structure and inconsistent texture.
Wax blends, such as mixes of paraffin waxes, soy waxes, and other types, are also available. Combining different waxes can help candle makers achieve specific results, such as a lower melting point or enhanced performance. For example, soy wax may require a small amount of beeswax or paraffin wax to achieve a smooth texture.
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Picking a vessel: upcycling jars, or buying new
Picking the right vessel for your candle is an important step in the candle-making process. You can either upcycle jars or buy new ones.
Upcycling jars is a great way to reuse old containers and give them a new purpose. Glass jars, such as those from yogurt or food items, can be easily transformed into candle containers. Ensure that the jars are made of tempered glass to withstand the heat of the candle. You can also look for unique and interesting jars or containers in thrift stores or your local market.
When upcycling jars, it's important to clean them thoroughly and remove any labels or residue. You may also want to consider the size and shape of the jar to ensure it is suitable for your desired candle size and will fit the wick comfortably.
If you prefer to buy new vessels, there are many options available. You can find candle containers in various materials such as glass, tin, or ceramic. Candle supply stores, both online and physical, offer a wide range of options specifically designed for candle-making. These stores often provide kits or sets that include the necessary components, such as wicks and wax, along with the containers.
When purchasing new vessels, consider the size and shape that best suit your needs. You can find containers in different diameters and heights, allowing you to create candles of various sizes. Additionally, some suppliers offer customizable options, such as engraving or printing, to personalize your candles.
Whether you choose to upcycle jars or purchase new vessels, it is important to ensure that the containers are heat-proof and safe for candle-making. Always follow safety guidelines and instructions when creating your candles to ensure a pleasant and successful experience.
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Adding scent: essential or fragrance oils, dried herbs, or coffee beans
Adding a scent to your candle can be done in several ways, using essential oils, fragrance oils, dried herbs, or coffee beans.
Essential oils
Essential oils are a highly concentrated scent produced using plants, leaves, and flowers. They are a natural option for adding scent to candles and are available in a wide range of scents, from calming lavender to energizing peppermint. To use essential oils, add about 10 drops into the melted wax. This will create a moderately scented candle. For a stronger scent, add more drops. You can also add essential oils to your candle by lighting the candle and letting it burn until there is a pool of wax about 1 inch deep around the wick. Once this happens, blow out the candle and add 3-4 drops of oil to the melted wax. Stir the wax with a toothpick or small instrument, then let it cool completely before relighting the candle.
Fragrance oils
Fragrance oils are another option for adding scent to candles. They are typically more potent than essential oils, so a little goes a long way. To use fragrance oils, follow the same process as for essential oils, adding about 3-4 drops for a light scent and more for a richer scent.
Dried herbs
Dried herbs and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and rose petals can be added to candles to infuse them with a warm, spicy aroma. However, they don't provide much fragrance. Simply add the dried herbs to your melted wax before pouring it into your container.
Coffee beans
Coffee beans can also be used to scent candles, and they have the added benefit of controlling mosquitoes and other insects. Ground coffee beans can be added directly to the melted wax, while whole coffee beans can be added to the top of the candle for a nice visual touch. Be careful not to let the whole coffee beans come into direct contact with the flame, as they can burn.
Remember to always use caution when working with hot wax and open flames, and enjoy creating your own unique scented candles!
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Melting wax: using a double boiler, or the oven
Melting wax is a crucial step in candle-making. Two common methods for melting wax are using a double boiler or melting wax in the oven.
Using a Double Boiler
A double boiler is an efficient and economical way to melt wax. It is also a safer option as it provides some separation from the intense heat of the hot pan and the wax. To create a double boiler, you will need two pots, one larger and one smaller. Here are the steps to melt wax using a double boiler:
- Fill the larger pot about halfway with water and place it on the stove.
- Place the wax in a smaller container, such as a pouring pitcher, clean coffee can, or the smaller pot, and put it inside the larger pot.
- Heat the water over medium to low heat until the wax is completely melted.
- Add more water to the larger pot as needed to prevent it from evaporating.
- Use a thermometer to monitor the wax temperature.
- When the wax is melted, add colour if desired and mix thoroughly.
- If you are adding fragrance, remove the wax from the heat and gently stir it in. Most wax should be heated to 185 degrees Fahrenheit before adding fragrance, but always check with your wax supplier for instructions.
Melting Wax in the Oven
Melting wax in the oven is another option for candle-making. Here are the steps to melt wax in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to its lowest setting.
- Place the jar or container of wax in the oven, ensuring that any labels or stickers are removed first.
- Allow the wax to melt completely.
- Scoop out the melted wax and reuse it for candle-making.
Both methods provide effective ways to melt wax for candle-making, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs and equipment availability.
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Trimming wicks: preparing wicks and testing candles
Trimming wicks is an essential part of candle maintenance. It ensures that your candle burns evenly, prolongs its life, and prevents smoke and soot from building up.
Preparing wicks
Before lighting your candle for the first time, trim the wick to a height of 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. This will ensure a healthy flame height and prevent the wick from becoming too tall. A wick that is too tall will cause the candle to burn too hot, melting the wax faster and accelerating the vaporization of the scent and wax.
To trim the wick, use a simple pair of scissors, wick trimmers, or toenail clippers if the wick is hard to reach. Bring the blades towards the wick as parallel to the wax as possible and trim to the recommended height.
Testing candles
After trimming the wick, light the candle and assess the flame after a few minutes. If the flame is too tall, extinguish the candle and trim the wick again. This process may need to be repeated a few times until you achieve a healthy flame height.
It is also important to note that candles should not be burned for longer than four hours at a time. Extinguish the candle when two inches or less of wax remains. Use a snuffer or dip the wick into the wax pool to extinguish the flame, as blowing out the candle can create excess smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
The basic materials you need are wax, wicks and containers. You can also add essential oils or fragrance oils, candle dyes, and decorations like dried flowers or petals or leaves.
There are many types of wax available, each with different properties. Paraffin wax is cheap and holds scent and colour well, but it releases harmful fumes and isn't eco-friendly. Soy wax is eco-friendly, biodegradable, and has a longer burn time. Beeswax is natural but not vegan-friendly.
First, choose your container. Fill it with unmelted wax, leaving at least half an inch of space at the top, then double that amount.
Prepare your workspace. Clean and dry your containers, then place the wick in the centre. Melt the wax in a double boiler to 70-75°C or 85°C, add fragrance, then slowly pour the wax into your container. Allow to set for at least 24 hours or up to a few days.
You can add dried flowers, petals, or leaves to the outside of the container. You can also add crayons to melting wax to create different hues. For a surprise, add a small toy, ring, or necklace to the container before pouring in the wax.
