How to Make Soy Wax Candles
Candles simply warm your home with a cozy feeling and lovely smells. But store bought, machine-made candles can be pricey, so why not make your own. Even better, you can control what goes in them and give these beauties away as a homemade holiday gift.
Making your own candle is a pretty easy process and you can add any scent you desire, or simply leave the smells out if you’re sensitive to fragrances. Although you can make many different types of candles, they all essentially contain three main components: wax, a wick, and a container. Simple right?
Once you make your first candle, you’ll quickly become a pro and get more adventurous in making different types. The best advice I can give is to use the appropriate wax and wick and be sure to use a fragrance essential oil to scent your candle. This is a wonderful making adventure that you can get very creative with.
What You'll Need
Double boiler
Metal candle wick holder, alternatively you can use skewers or popsicle sticks
Wicks and wick stickers (I also prefer the look and burn of these wooden wick sticks)
Soy Wax
Container (I love using small mason jars)
Natural essential oils or fragrance essential oils (optional)
How To Make
Create a double boiler by filling the bottom a pot with 2-3” of water and turn your burner to a simmer. Add your melting pot overtop, allowing the steam to release.
Add six (6) ¼ cup scoops of soy wax into the pot and allow to melt completely, stirring regularly.
While your wax melts, place your wick sticker on the bottom of the wick and stick in place on the bottom of your container. Use metal wick holders (or skewers) to help keep the wick in place.
Once the wax has completely melted, allow the wax to cool for 2-3 minutes, being careful not to let it begin to harden.
Add your fragrance (optional) to the melted wax. For six ¼ cup scoops, I add 150 – 180 drops of essential oil. You can combine this quantity between a few fragrances. For example, I’ll mix 100 drops of campfire essential oil and 80 drops of vanilla.
Give the wax a really good stir to combine the oils and pour into your containers. Allow the wax to cool completely and then trim the wick down to size. It’s best to wait 24 hours before burning.
Tips:
The above measurements will make two small mason jar size candles.
If you plan to make scented candles, be sure to use natural essential oils or fragrance oils intended for candle making, as some oils are flammable.
I reuse my small mason jars again and again to make my candles. It’s eco-friendly and budget friendly. Simply take a butter knife and scrape out the bottom layer of wax (and bottom metal part of the wick) from your used candle.
Sometimes I will use 2 wicks (as showing in image above) per candle for a better burn. Test using 1 & 2 to see what works best for you.
I like to drop an extra 20-25 drops of essential oil to the top of the candle after it’s been poured (and not hardened yet) to give the candle an extra pop of fragrance when burned.
There you have it! You can now make your own soy wax candles from the comfort of your home. When you sit back and enjoy your candle for the first time, take pride in the fact that you made an environmentally responsible candle that you and your friends will enjoy.
Peace & Love,
Nikki
Have you tried making your own candles?
Please leave a comment below or share a photo on Instagram and tag @TheSunshineHustle.
