Nothing screams cozy like a flickering candle on a chilly winter evening. But did you know that most of the candles we buy are made of paraffin, a byproduct of petroleum? These candles release toxic chemicals into the air when burned, which can be harmful to us and our pets. So, why not make your own soy wax candles that are natural, eco-friendly, and safe? It’s easier than you think! Follow this step-by-step guide to make your own candles at home.
Step 1: Gather Materials
Before you get started, make sure you have all the necessary materials. You’ll need soy wax flakes, candle wicks, fragrance or essential oil, a double boiler, a thermometer, and a container to pour the wax into, wick stickers and wick holder. Our Luxe Candle Making Kit offers everything you need to get started on your candle making journey.
Step 2: Prepare the Container
Once you have all your supplies, it’s time to get started. Secure the wick in your container with a bit of hot glue or wax, or a wick sticker. Make sure the wick is centered and straight. If necessary, attach a small object (like a pencil) to hold the wick in place while pouring the wax.
Step 2: Melt the Wax
Using a double boiler, melt the soy wax flakes over a low heat. Make sure to stir the wax occasionally to prevent it from burning. Once the wax has completely melted, use a thermometer to check the temperature. Typically, soy wax should be heated to around 80c.
Step 3: Add Fragrance Oil
Take the wax off the heat, allow the temperature to drop to 65c then add your fragrance/essential oil. It's best to start with about 10% of the volume of wax, so for 100ml of wax - 10ml of oil would be needed for a strong scent throw. Stir the fragrance oil into the melted wax and make sure it's well combined.
Step 4: Prepare the Container
Prepare your container. Stick the wick to the bottom of the container using a hot glue gun or wick sticker. Use a wick holder to keep the wick centered.
Step 5: Pour the Wax
Now, it's time to pour the wax into the container. Slowly pour the wax into the container, making sure not to disturb the wick. Leave some space at the top of the container for the wax to expand when it cools down. Let the candle cool down for 24 hours before using.
Making your own soy wax candles is a therapeutic hobby that doesn't require much time or effort. With a few simple supplies, you can create beautiful scented candles that will fill your space with a wonderful aroma. Plus, making your own candles allows you to customise the scent and container according to your preference.
Now that you know the basics of candle-making, you can experiment with different scents and containers to create your own perfect candle. You could even use essential oils or dried herbs for a more natural scent, or get creative with the container design by using an interesting jar or unique colour wax.
One important thing to remember when making soy wax candles is that adding too much fragrance oil can cause the candle to lose its scent after it has cooled down. Start with a small amount and build up gradually, until you achieve the desired intensity of scent for your candles. Also, be sure to use an adequate wick size as this will affect how easily the wax burns. Finally, make sure you have enough wax so that when poured into the container, it doesn’t leave any gaps or bare spots.
Making your own soy wax candles can be an enjoyable and stress-relieving project. With some practice, you will soon be able to make beautiful scented candles that can help you create a relaxing atmosphere in any space.
Happy candle-making!
