Beginner's Guide on how to Make a Scented Candle
If you’ve ever wondered how to make your own scented candles, then look no further. Our beginner's tutorial will talk you through the process and options available as well as show you how to make your own scented candles.
In the past, the presence of a light source held immense importance, as it served to illuminate and warm various spaces. Throughout history, candles primarily served the purpose of lighting up households, occasionally providing heat as well.
Nowadays candles are predominantly used as decoration or for ceremonial purposes.
Irrespective of the event, the presence of a scented candle has the remarkable ability to immediately establish the atmosphere. Whether you are unwinding for a movie night, indulging in a relaxing bath, or hosting a gathering with friends, a scented candle effortlessly infuses the surroundings with delightful fragrances. Furthermore, the gentle flickering flame creates a cozy ambiance, particularly on darker evenings, enveloping you in a comforting warmth.
If you're ready to try to make your own candles, our tutorial below will make it easy for you to get started on your candle-making journey.
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Materials Needed:
- Soy wax flakes (or soy wax blocks)
- Candle wicks
- Containers (such as glass jars or metal tins)
- Candle fragrance oil or essential oils (optional, for scented candles)
- Candle dye (optional, for colored candles)
- Double boiler (or a heat-resistant container and a saucepan)
- Thermometer
- Stirring utensil (a wooden stick or a spoon)
- Wick stickers or glue dots
- Wick centring tool
Instructions:
Step One- Prepare your candle glass
Clean and dry the containers you'll be using for your candles. If you're using glass jars or tins, ensure they are free from any dust or debris.
Secure the Wicks: Use the hot glue gun to attach the wicks to the centre of the bottom of each container. Make sure the wick is straight and cantered. Allow the glue to dry and set.
Step 2 – Weigh Out Your Wax
Place the melting pot on your scales and turn on. Make sure the scales are set to weigh in grams. Weigh out 147.2g of wax.
Step 3 – Melt the Wax
Melt the Wax: Fill the bottom of the double boiler (or a saucepan) with water and bring it to a gentle simmer. The water in your pan should be no more than halfway up your melting pots bowl.
Place the soy wax flakes or blocks in the top part of the double boiler (or a heat-resistant container) and put it over the simmering water. Stir occasionally until the wax is completely melted.
When the wax starts to melt (a visible pool of wax is forming), place the thermometer in the wax to check the temperature. Once the wax has fully melted and reaches 80c, turn the hob off and take the pan off the heat.
Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature; the ideal melting point for soy wax is around 170-180°F (77-82°C).
Don’t leave your thermometer in the melting pot whilst the wax is melting as it will get hot from the water steam. Keep adding the thermometer to the wax at melting intervals to check it's not getting too hot.
Step 4 – Adding fragrance
If you want scented candles, you can add a few drops of fragrance oil or essential oils to the melted wax. For coloured candles, add a small amount of candle dye and stir until the colour is evenly distributed.
Step 5 – Pour the Wax into your candle glass
Carefully pour the melted wax into the prepared containers. Leave a small gap (about 1/2 inch) between the top of the wax and the rim of the container.
It is recommended pouring the wax closer to the glass and not against or too close to the wick. This will reduce the likelihood of sink holes or bubbles appearing once the wax has set.
Once you’ve poured the wax, check that the wick isn’t bending too much. If it is, you can simply give it a gentle pull to straighten up.
Allow the Candles to Cool: Let the candles cool and solidify at room temperature. This process may take a few hours, depending on the size of the candles.
Trim the Wicks: Once the candles have completely cooled and solidified, trim the wicks to about 1/4 inch above the wax surface. This will ensure a clean and even burn.
Cure the Candles (optional): If you can resist the temptation, it's best to let the candles cure for a couple of days or even a week before burning them. This allows the fragrance to fully develop.
On the first burn, always allow the candle to burn for 3-4 hours. This will allow the wax to form a melt pool that reaches as close to the glass edges as possible
Enjoy Your Candles: Light up your homemade candles and enjoy the warm glow and lovely fragrance they provide!
Important Tips:
- Always follow safety guidelines when working with hot wax and open flames.
- Make sure the containers you use are suitable for candle making and can withstand the heat of the melted wax.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Keep candles away from flammable materials, drafts, and out of reach of children and pets.
Now you're all set to create your own beautiful and scented soy wax candles! Have fun experimenting with different fragrances and colours to make them uniquely yours.