How Do You Make Scented Candles At Home?

Making scented candles at home is a fun, creative way to produce customized, high-quality candles. With some basic supplies and a little practice, you can make soy candles, beeswax candles, or paraffin candles in your own kitchen that will make great gifts or home decor.

The benefits of homemade candles include choosing your own scents, colors, and vessels. You can reuse glass jars or mugs from around the house for a sustainable option. Making your own candles also allows you to control the ingredients so you can avoid harmful chemicals sometimes found in store-bought candles.

Simple container candles are a great place to start. These pillars or jars allow for easy pouring and labeling. More advanced homemade candle projects include floating candles, votives, tealights, and decorative wax melts.

Supplies Needed

To make scented candles at home, you’ll need the following supplies:

• Wax – The most common types used are paraffin, soy, or beeswax. Paraffin wax produces candles with excellent burn quality but is derived from petroleum. Soy wax is made from soybeans, is eco-friendly, and has a lower melting point. Beeswax is natural, non-toxic, and burns longer.
• Wick – The wick draws wax up as the candle burns. Common materials are cotton, paper, zinc core, and wood. Match the wick thickness to the candle diameter for best results.
• Fragrance oils or essential oils – Use oils labeled for candle making at 1-2% by weight. Essential oils are natural but more expensive.
• Candle wick sustainer – This helps secure wicks in the center as the candles harden.
• Mold or container – Choose heat safe glass, metal, or silicone molds and containers. Avoid plastic.
• Double boiler or crock pot – This allows gentle, indirect melting of the wax to the proper temperature.
• Thermometer – Monitor wax temperatures for best results. Digital thermometers with long probes work well.

Preparing the Wax

Before melting the wax, it’s important to cut or break it into small 1-2 inch chunks. This allows the wax to melt faster and more evenly. According to The Harlem Candle Company, one method is to use a double boiler to gently melt the wax [1]. Fill the bottom pot with a few inches of water and place the top pot inside, making sure no water gets in the wax. Heat the water to a simmer, stirring the wax occasionally until fully melted. The wax should be heated to 180-200°F to ensure proper melting without overheating. Others recommend using a crockpot for melting wax, again keeping the temperature around 180°F [2]. Melting the wax slowly helps preserve its integrity and performance.

Adding Fragrance

Once the wax is melted, it’s time to add the fragrance oil or essential oil that will give your candle its scent. When using fragrance oils, the standard usage rate is around 6-8% of the total wax weight. For essential oils, the typical usage is around 0.5 ounces per pound of wax according to this source. It’s important not to add too much fragrance, as it can cause issues like sweating or reduce the burn time of the candle. A good rule of thumb is to start on the lower end around 5-6% fragrance load and adjust from there.

Make sure to stir the wax continuously as you slowly pour in the fragrance or essential oil. This helps to fully incorporate the scent. Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes once the fragrance is added to evenly distribute it in the wax before pouring into containers. When adding multiple fragrances for a blended scent, do not exceed a total fragrance load of 8-10% to avoid issues.

Preparing the Wick

Properly preparing the wick is an essential step when making candles at home. The wick serves as the fuel source for the candle, drawing wax up through capillary action which allows for an even, consistent burn. To prepare the wick:

Cut the wick to the proper height. As a general rule, the wick should be approximately 1/4-1/2 inch longer than the depth of the candle container. For example, if pouring candles into a 2 inch deep container, cut the wick to around 2 1/4 – 2 1/2 inches long. This extra length prevents the flame from extinguishing at the bottom and promotes full wax pool melting.1

Secure the wick to the bottom of the container using a drop of melted wax or adhesive tab. Centering the wick will help ensure it burns straight and even. The wick must be able to stand upright while pouring in melted wax. Anchoring it at the base keeps it weighted and stable.

Pouring the Candles

Once the wax has melted completely, allow it to cool slightly before pouring. The ideal temperature for pouring soy wax is between 135-165°F (57-74°C), according to https://www.candlescience.com/candle-making/soy-wax. Pouring at too high of a temperature can cause issues like sinkholes and frosting on the candles as they cool and harden.

Pour the wax carefully and steadily into each container, leaving about 1⁄4” (0.5cm) of headspace at the top. Try to avoid splashing or creating bubbles as you pour. Work slowly and carefully. The wax will begin to solidify and set up quickly once poured into the containers, so it’s important to work efficiently. However, do not rush the process. Careful, steady pouring will result in smooth finished candles.

Setting the Candles

Once the candles have been poured into the containers, it is important to allow them to fully set and cure before use. This setting period allows the wax to completely solidify and stabilize. Soy wax candles in particular require 1-2 weeks to fully cure.

During the setting process, the candles should be left undisturbed in a room temperature area away from direct sunlight and drafts. Do not move or handle the candles while they set. Allowing the candles to cure with the lids on helps retain fragrance.

According to experts, moving or handling candles before they fully set can lead to issues like sinkholes, cracks, and frosting on the surface. The ideal setting time is 1-2 weeks. After this initial curing period, do a test burn and check for issues before regular use.

Setting the candles properly is a crucial step that allows the wax and fragrance to stabilize for optimal performance. With patience and proper curing, homemade soy candles will burn beautifully.

Second Pour

The purpose of doing a second pour when making candles is to help ensure a smoother finish by filling in any holes or impressions that may have formed on the surface after the first pour. As noted on Craft Forum (https://www.craftsforum.co.uk/forum/your-crafts/candles-and-candle-making/76917-2nd-pour-when-to-do-it) and Craft Server (https://www.craftserver.com/topic/116071-second-pour-to-fill-relief-holes/), the second pour helps release trapped air and creates an even, flawless top.

The ideal time to do a second pour is before the first layer has completely set, while it is still warm and pliable. This allows the second pour of wax to adhere properly. A general rule of thumb is to wait 1-2 hours after the first pour before doing the second. It is not recommended to wait until the first pour layer is completely hard and set.

For the amount of wax, you’ll want enough to create an even layer over the top, generally a few ounces depending on the candle size. Too much and you risk overflow or deforming the first layer. Too little and you won’t fully fill the holes. Experiment to find the right amount for your specific candles.

Finishing Touches

After the candles have fully set and cooled, there are a few finishing touches to complete:

Before burning the candle for the first time, be sure to trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch in length using scissors or a candle wick trimmer. Trimming the wick will help prevent excess smoking and promote an even, consistent burn. Only trim the wick just prior to lighting to avoid dust and debris collecting.

If desired, homemade candles can be customized with labels. Cut sticker labels to fit the candle container or utilize a glue gun to adhere fabric, lace, or paper labels. Labels can include the candle scent, measurements, burning instructions, or decorative designs.

The finishing touches complete these homemade scented candles! Allow candles to cure for 1-2 weeks before burning to fully set the fragrance. Trim wick before each use for best results.

Usage and Care

Properly caring for your homemade candles is important to ensure safe usage and maximum enjoyment. Here are some tips on allowing the candles to cure before burning, trimming the wicks, and safely burning your homemade candles:

Allow the candle to cure for 1-2 weeks before burning. This allows the wax to settle and the fragrance to fully blend. Burning too soon can cause issues like tunneling. According to this Craft Server post, a good rule of thumb for soy candles is 1-2 weeks cure time.

Trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent issues like sooting. Use wick trimmers or nail clippers for a clean cut. Trim the wick before each burn to maintain the proper flame height. You may need to pause trimming once the wax pool forms.

Always burn candles in a safe holder on a stable, heat resistant surface. Keep lit candles away from drafts and flammable materials like curtains. Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish the flame if it becomes too high, smoking, or flickering irregularly. Adhere to standard fire safety practices.

Following these simple care tips will lead to the best results and enjoyment from your homemade scented candles!