How Do You Dye Tea Light Candles?
Tea lights are small candles in metal or foil containers that are commonly used for ambiance and decorative purposes. Their versatility, inexpensive cost and simple design have made them popular candles to use in a variety of settings (link). In the United States alone, annual retail sales of candle products like tea lights are estimated at $3.14 billion, highlighting their widespread demand (link).
While tea lights typically come in plain white or ivory colors, dyeing them opens up creative possibilities. Dyed tea light candles can be coordinated with color themes for parties, holidays, weddings, and more. The dyeing process allows you to customize tea lights to match any décor or palette. Dyed tea lights also make great gifts and crafts. This guide will walk through the easy process of dyeing tea lights at home.
Required Materials
There are just a few items needed to dye tea light candles:
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Tea light candles – plain white unscented candles work best as the blank canvas
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Liquid candle dye – this special dye is formulated to safely color candle wax
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Containers for dye bath – small jars, cups or bowls to hold the melted wax and dye mixture
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Spoons for stirring – needed to mix the dye fully into the melted wax
Safety Precautions
When dyeing candles, it’s important to take some basic safety precautions:
Work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors to avoid breathing in fumes from the dye. Open windows and use fans to ensure good airflow.
Wear gloves and eye protection like safety goggles when mixing and handling dye. Candle dye can stain skin and irritate eyes.
Keep dyed candles out of reach of children and pets. The dye may contain chemicals that could be harmful if ingested. Store finished candles in a secure location.
Never ingest or apply candle dye to the skin as it is formulated for candle-making only. Handle with care and thoroughly wash hands after use.
Some people may have skin sensitivities or allergies to candle dyes. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.
Refer to the manufacturer’s safety guidelines when using any candle dye product. Exercise caution and care when dyeing candles.
Prepping the Tea Lights
Before dyeing the tea lights, some preparation is required to help the dye adhere properly and achieve the desired look. First, decide if you want to remove the wicks or leave them in. Removing the wicks allows you to achieve a more uniform colored candle, while leaving them in provides a nice contrasting color. Use scissors or wire cutters to carefully snip the wicks at the base if removing them.
Next, clean the surface of the candles to remove any oils or residue. This helps the dye grab onto the wax better. Gently scrub the candles with a little dish soap and warm water, using a soft brush or cloth. Rinse and let dry completely.
You can also lightly sand the candles with fine grit sandpaper. This scuffs up the surface for the dye to grip. Wipe away any dust with a dry cloth after sanding. The candles are now prepped and ready for dyeing!
For more tips, check out this helpful guide: [1]
[1] https://www.ritdye.com/instructions/how-to-dye-candles/
Mixing the Dye
To dye the tea lights, you’ll first need to prepare the dye mixture. Add the candle dye to warm water and stir thoroughly to dissolve it completely. The experts at Bramble Berry recommend using 1-2 drops of dye per tea light candle in order to achieve nice, saturated colors (Source). It’s best to start with 1 drop of dye per candle at first. You can always add more dye to reach your desired color saturation.
The amount of dye needed can vary based on the size and wax content of the specific tea lights you are working with. As you gain experience dyeing tea lights, you’ll get a better feel for how much dye yields your preferred color depth. Going slowly and adding dye in increments allows you to better control the final color.
Dyeing the Candles
Once the dye bath is ready, it’s time to submerge the candles to absorb the color. Place the candles into the dye bath carefully and let them soak for 5-10 minutes. The longer you leave them in, the darker the color will become. For a bold, rich shade, aim for 10 minutes. For a softer pastel hue, 5 minutes will suffice. While soaking, stir the candles gently every minute or two to ensure they absorb the dye evenly and get an all-over consistent coat.
According to experts at CandleScience, “When the wax reaches 185oF (85°C), add 4 drops of Summer Breeze Liquid Dye and stir gently for about 2 minutes until the dye is fully incorporated with the wax.” Allowing ample time for the wax to absorb the dye is key for vibrant, long-lasting color.
Drying the Candles
Once the candles have been sufficiently dyed, remove them carefully from the dye bath and allow any excess dye to drip off and back into the container.
Lay the dyed candles out on paper towels or wax paper, spacing them apart so they have room to dry. Allow the candles to dry completely before handling or using them. It’s recommended to let the candles dry for at least overnight, or up to 24 hours, to ensure the wax and dye have fully set.
If the candles are disturbed or stacked too early, the dye may smear or rub off onto other surfaces. Patience is key for getting vibrant, evenly dyed candles. The drying time allows the colored wax to fully harden so the color will remain true when the candles are finally lit.[1]
Achieving Different Looks
You can achieve a variety of interesting effects when dyeing tea lights by utilizing different dyeing techniques. One popular look is the ombre effect, where the candle transitions from light to dark. To achieve this, dip just the bottom of the candle in a light dye first. Then dip more of the candle into increasingly darker shades of the dye. The resulting candle will fade from light to dark.
Swirling designs with multiple colors is another fun technique. Drop different colored dyes onto the tea light and then swirl with a toothpick or skewer. The dyes will bleed into one another creating psychedelic patterns. For best results, use 2-3 colors with contrasting hues like red, blue, and yellow.
Mixing dye colors is also an easy way to expand your dye palette. Combining equal parts of two different colors like red and yellow will produce a vibrant orange. Test mixing different dye ratios on spare tea lights until you achieve the ideal blended shade.
Using Dyed Tea Lights
Dyed tea lights open up a world of possibilities for holiday decorations, table centerpieces, and creative gifts and crafts. Here are some ways to utilize your newly dyed tea lights:
For holiday decorating, dyed tea lights can add a festive glow to mantlepieces, windowsills, and tablescapes. Try dyeing candles in red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, pastels for Easter, or red, white and blue for the Fourth of July. Cluster candles in glass votives, mason jars or clear vases for a vibrant display. You can also use dyed tea lights to create holiday-themed luminaries by placing them inside paper bags.
On the dining table or buffet, dyed tea lights make excellent centerpieces. Float several candles in a low bowl or wide vase filled with water, beads, seashells or greenery to create a stunning focal point. For more candlelight, surround the vase with additional dyed tea lights in holders. The colored glow will set a warm, welcoming mood for your next dinner party.
Get creative with one-of-a-kind gifts and crafts using your dyed tea lights. Make custom night lights or luminaries by placing candles inside painted glass jars. Use dyed candles to create unique jewelry like candle rings or necklaces. Or get the kids involved with simple melted crayon art – place crayons in silicone molds, top with a tea light, then display the colorful melted wax shapes.
Creativity and Inspiration
DYI tea light candles allow you to create one-of-a-kind decor and gifts. Readers have shared these creative ideas and photos for inspiration:
- Use dyed tea lights to create colorful candle centerpieces.
- Make ombre or gradient effects by gradually mixing the dye colors.
- Try marbling techniques like swirling and layering colors.
- Add glitter or beads into the wax for a shimmery effect.
- Use cookie cutters to make shaped candles like hearts or stars.
Check out these sites for more dyed tea light inspiration and instructions:
Have you created dyed tea lights? Share your designs in the comments below!
