Can I Use Soap In A Candle?

This article will explore whether it’s possible to make candles using soap, and provide information on how to create soap candles safely. We’ll discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of soap candles, as well as tips for choosing the right kinds of soap and incorporating creative designs.

Making candles with soap is an interesting DIY craft that allows you to reuse old bars of soap in a new form. The end result is a unique type of candle that can provide ambiance just like regular wax candles. By the end of this article, you’ll know whether using soap in candles is a good idea, and how to make your own if you want to give it a try.

What Is Soap?

Soap is a cleaning agent created from the chemical reaction between a fat or oil and an alkali, usually lye. Common fats used in soapmaking include olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, and tallow. The mixing of an alkali with these fats causes saponification, which transforms the oils into soap.

Traditionally, soap was made using animal fats like tallow and lye derived from wood ashes. Modern soapmaking involves more refined vegetable oils and alkalis like sodium hydroxide. Cold process soapmaking combines oils and lye dilution at room temperature, while hot process involves heating the mixture. After saponification completes, the soap solidifies and is then cut into bars.

Some key ingredients in soap include water, oils, lye or another alkali, and additives for scent, color, skin feel, and lather. Fragrances, herbs, clays, and essential oils are often added. The main components are fats and an alkali; once combined in the proper ratios, the chemical reaction produces soap.

Can You Use Soap in Candles?

Yes, you can use soap to make candles. The main ingredient in soap is fatty acids, which is also a key component of candle wax. When making a candle, the fatty acids in the soap undergo saponification, or get turned into wax through a chemical reaction. So you can substitute soap for traditional candle wax in many candle recipes.

Using soap to make candles has some benefits. Soap is readily available and often cheaper than buying standard candle wax. It also allows you to reuse old bars of soap in a creative way. Certain natural soaps, like those made from olive oil or coconut oil, can produce candles with pleasant scents.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks. Soap candles may not burn as long or as cleanly as those made from paraffin or beeswax. The scent throw likely won’t be as strong either. Soap also has a lower melting point than candle wax, so soap candles are more prone to sweating or bending in warm environments. Proper wick size and container choice can help mitigate some of these issues.

Overall, soap can be used to make functional and decorative candles with some experimentation. But those seeking long-burning, fragrant candles may find better results from candle-grade waxes.

How to Make Soap Candles

Making candles with soap is a fairly straightforward process that only requires a few simple steps. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make soap candles at home:

Equipment Needed

To make soap candles you will need:
– Soap – grated or chopped into small pieces

– Wax – paraffin, soy, or beeswax
– Double boiler or melting pot
– Mold(s) – metal, silicone, or glass
– Wick and wick stick or tabs
– Fragrance oil (optional)

Instructions

1. Set up a double boiler and melt the wax. Once melted, add the chopped soap and stir occasionally as it melts into the wax.

2. Allow the wax/soap mixture to cool slightly so it thickens. Then stir in any essential oils for fragrance if desired.

3. Prepare your candle mold(s) by fixing a wick to the bottom with wick stick or wick tab. Pour the wax into the mold(s).

4. Allow the candles to fully harden and cool overnight before removing from molds.

Tips

– Use a 1:1 ratio of wax to soap for best results.
– Avoid overheating the wax so it doesn’t lose its scent and color.

– Wick should be slightly taut to allow for optimal burn time.
– Cure the finished candles for 1-2 weeks before burning so they burn evenly.

Choosing the Right Soap

When making soap candles, you have options on what type and form of soap to use. Here are some key considerations:

Bar Soap vs. Liquid Soap

Bar soap and liquid hand/body soap both work for soap candles. Bar soap is the more traditional option as it’s easy to cut into chunks or shred into flakes. Liquid soap requires some preparation to thicken it before adding to the candle wax.

In general, bar soap tends to be a better choice, as it mixes into the wax smoothly and holds its shape better. The exception is if you want to create a clear soap candle, in which case a liquid clear soap is preferable.

Scented vs. Unscented

Scented soap will provide fragrance to your finished candle. This can be desirable if you want your candle to double as an air freshener. Be mindful that some soap fragrances may not complement the scent of the candle wax.

Unscented soap allows the natural scent of the wax to shine through. It’s ideal if you plan to add essential oils or other fragrances to your candle. Unscented soap also prevents any scent clashes.

Consider your scent preferences and goals when deciding between scented and unscented soaps. You can also alternate between the two for variety.

Soap Candle Benefits

Making candles out of soap provides some great benefits. First, soap candles emit wonderful natural scents. Since soap is made from essential oils and other natural fragrance ingredients, the candles give off gentle, pleasant aromas. This is preferable to artificial fragrances which can sometimes be overpowering. According to this article, handmade candles with natural scents create soothing, sustainable home fragrances.

Additionally, soap candles contain natural ingredients like oils, waxes, and dyes rather than harsh chemicals. Beeswax and soy wax are common bases for soap candles, providing a natural alternative to paraffin wax. The ingredients are gentler and better for the environment.

Finally, making your own soap candles is a fun, creative DIY project. You can customize the colors, scents, shapes, and designs. It allows you to express your creativity and make your home decor unique. According to Sparrows Soaps, handcrafted candles made from natural soy wax provide an enjoyable activity that is also environmentally friendly.

Potential Drawbacks

While soap can be an interesting ingredient to use in candle making, there are some potential drawbacks to be aware of:

One drawback is that soap candles may not burn as long as regular wax candles. Soap has a different chemical composition than candle waxes like paraffin or soy, and does not melt and wick in the same way. This can lead to a shorter burn time for soap candles.^[1]

Another issue is sweating or oiliness. The oils in soap can sometimes leach out or “sweat” out of the candle, leaving an oily residue on the candle holder or surface. This is an undesirable effect. Properly formulated soy or paraffin wax candles are less likely to have this sweating issue.

The bottom line is that making good soap candles takes testing and experimentation. The type of soap, wick size, candle shape, and other factors can affect performance. Expect to do some trial and error to find the right recipe and method for optimal soap candle results.

Safety Tips

When making and burning soap candles, it’s important to follow some basic safety tips:

Use the proper wick length. The wick should be trimmed to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent excess smoke and uneven burning. Allow the candle to cure fully before burning. Curing gives the soap time to harden completely and makes the candle burn more slowly and evenly. Always burn soap candles in a heat safe container. The soap can melt quickly once lit, so burning in a glass or metal container will contain any melted wax while burning.

According to experts at http://earnmoney-4me.blogspot.com/2009/03/making-pain-baam.html, following basic safety precautions will allow you to safely enjoy your handmade soap candles.

Creative Soap Candle Ideas

One of the best parts about making your own soap candles is getting creative with different shapes, scents, and embellishments. Here are some fun ideas to try:

Different Shapes

Soap candles don’t have to just be basic cylindrical pillars or blocks. You can pour your soap wax into silicone molds to create shaped candles like stars, hearts, flowers, animals, and more. Get a mold in your favorite shape or create a collection of shaped candles for a pretty display.

Layering Scents

Layer different scented soaps in creative ways to make candles that smell amazing from top to bottom. Try alternating contrasting scents like floral and woodsy layers. Or make stripes or swirls of two scents together. You can also embed chunks of differently scented soaps into one candle.

Embedding Objects

Add interest to your soap candles by pressing or suspending small objects in the wax. Try dried flowers, herbs, coffee beans, seashells, and more. Just make sure any items you embed are non-flammable. Also avoid embedding anything that will expand, contract, or explode when heated.

Conclusion

Soap can be an innovative and fun ingredient to incorporate into candle making. As we’ve discussed, nearly any type of soap can be grated and added to wax to create unique soap candles. The possibilities are endless when it comes to soap candle scents, shapes, molds and colors. Just be sure to take the proper safety precautions. When making soap candles, it’s key to use the right wax-to-soap ratio and wick size for the best burn. Test different soap candle recipes to find your favorite combinations. With some experimentation, you can make great handmade gifts with this creative candle craft. The versatility of soap candles makes them a fun DIY project for all ages.

In this article, we covered whether you can use soap in candles, how to make soap candles properly, the benefits soap can provide, potential drawbacks to watch out for, and creative ideas to inspire your homemade soap candles. While adding soap introduces some safety considerations, with care soap candles can add helpful properties compared to regular candles. Overall, soap is an innovative candle ingredient when handled appropriately.