Easy Guide to Creating your Own Candles 🩷
Making your own candles is a fun little DIY that anyone can pick up. You get to choose the scents and colors you love, plus they make thoughtful handmade gifts. If you burn candles often, making them yourself can even save you some money. Here’s my easy, beginner-friendly way of doing it:
Supplies Needed:
-Wax flakes
-Wicks
-Jars
-Fragrance
-Melting pot
Optional Supplies:
-Glue dots (you could also use super glue or hot glue gun)
-Wick holder (helps wick stay in place, but you could also use popsicle sticks)
-Candle dye (not necessary but looks pretty)
1) Prep the jars by gluing the wick to the bottom of the container
2) Heat the wax on the stove using a melting pot, until it’s melted and reaches a temperature of 130 degrees.
3) Once at temperature, turn off the heat and add in your fragrance and dye. Stir it together.
4) Place the wick holder on top of the jar, and set the wick inside of it. You can also hold it in place using popsicle sticks.
5) Slowly pour the wax into the jars
6) Wait for it to cool (usually in a few hours), and then trim the wick.
And that’s really it! You can grab everything you need at most craft stores, and I like to thrift jars to make each candle feel unique. It’s such an easy, satisfying DIY that you’ll actually want to keep doing!
Making candles at home is a creative and rewarding DIY project that allows you to customize scents, colors, and containers to suit your personal style or gifting needs. To achieve the best results, consider using soy flake wax as it burns cleaner and longer than paraffin wax, making it a popular choice for handmade candles. The optimal melting temperature for soy wax is around 130 degrees Fahrenheit, which ensures it melts uniformly and adheres well to your jars. When selecting wicks, the size and material are critical because they affect the candle's burn rate and flame size. Cotton or wood wicks are great options, with cotton wicks being easier to work with for beginners. Securing the wick with glue dots or hot glue helps it stay centered during the pouring and cooling process. Using a wick holder or popsicle sticks to keep the wick upright ensures a straight burn and prevents tunneling. Fragrance oils designed specifically for candle making provide not only satisfying aromas but also maintain scent throw both when cold and burning. Be sure to add fragrance and any liquid dye immediately after the wax reaches the right temperature, stirring gently to incorporate without causing air bubbles. Pouring your melted wax slowly into jars helps prevent spills and uneven surfaces. Allow candles to cool at room temperature for several hours to prevent shrinkage or cracking. Once cool, trimming the wick to about 1/4 inch before lighting helps maintain a clean flame and reduces soot buildup. Additionally, thrifted or unique jars add charm and personality to your candles, making each one truly special. Candle making is not only economical compared to store-bought candles but also offers a satisfying hands-on craft experience. This beginner-friendly process encourages experimentation with different scents and colors, providing endless creative possibilities for home ambiance or gift-giving.
Another tip: if you want a total clean burn, use 100% beeswax instead of soy or paraffin. It actually cleans the air of dust particles and odors, leaving a light honey scent behind. Great for asthma and allergies. The only difference is when you pour the 2nd amount of wax, let it sit until it starts getting cloudy, then pour over the 1st quarter inch of wax that’s steadying the wick. Also, to make the wick burn cleaner, soak it in the beeswax, getting totally saturated. Let dry. Wooden wicks don’t burn clean so I don’t recommend them with beeswax. It crosses out the reasons for burning beeswax.