Simple, low cost, and not packed full of artificial chemicals.
I’ve always been a sucker for a nice smelling home, but I’m not a sucker for the artificial fragrances and chemicals that most home fragrance products come with. A few years ago, I started researching and experimenting with making my own candles and wax melts. I found out what worked, and what didn’t. Now, I make a lot of candles and wax melts throughout the year. I make them for myself, friends & family, and to sell at local craft markets. Keep reading and I’ll explain as simple as possible how you can successfully make your own at home too.
#1 Source The Wax
I personally like to use either soy wax, beeswax or a combination of both. Don’t be too alarmed at the cost of these waxes as most waxes are sold in 5-10 pound bags, which could make quite a few candles (depending on the size you’re making).
Best Soy & Beeswax For Home Candle Making:
- Village Craft & Candle
- New Directions Aromatics
- Amazon even has some smaller bags at a reasonable price
#2 Source The Essential Oils
One pound of dry wax will need 1-1.5 liquid oz of scent. You can mix multiple different scents together to create your own unique blend! Some essential oil companies charge 20-50 dollars for 15 mL of product – which is CRAZY. I’ve found a company that sells essential oils in larger containers for a fraction of the price – I’ve included them below. I’ve tested out quite a few of these oils and they all seem to have the same quality as a $40.00 15mL bottle. Artificial fragrance gives me wicked headaches and I haven’t made a candle yet that has given me one! Village Craft and Candle is one of my favorite one stop candle shops. Plus, they have a great selection of affordable essential oils in bulk containers. Click on the picture below and it’ll take you straight to Village Craft and Candles natural fragrance section.
Shipping can be expensive in some of these wholesale companies so I’ve included a few links of essential oils that I’ve tested out from Amazon:
- Variety pack of 6 10ML bottles
- Majestic Pure Essential Oil – 4 fl. oz *click through for different scents*
- HIQILI Eucalyptus Essential Oil 100ML *click through for different scents*
#3 Buy The Wicks and Find a Jar
Wick kits are pretty affordable and easy to find. Click here for the ones I use. I say find a jar because they are so easy to come by. Make an even more eco friendly candle by turning an old jar laying around your house into a cute candle that fills the room with a beautiful scent. I accumulate tiny jam jars from friends and family gifting me homemade goodies – so I turn them into candles and return them. Even an old ceramic mug that you’re about to throw away would make a perfect little candle. If you do go out and buy a candle jar, ensure that it’s one you’ll re-use once the wax runs it course.
Natural Soy Wax Candles
Ingredients
- Soy wax and/or beeswax
- 1-2oz essential oil
Equipment
- Double boiler or *makeshift* a glass bowl in a pot of water
- Kitchen thermometer
- Jar
- Wick & wick holder
- Rubber spatula
Directions
- Add 1 pound of wax into the double boiler & turn to low heat. (1 pound of wax will make a medium size candle)
- Prepare candle jar and desired wick placements.
- Slowly melt the wax until the temperature of the wax reaches 185F. Turn the heat off.
- Immediately add 1-1.5oz (depending on desired scent strength) of essential oil per one pound of wax and slowly sir it into the wax.
- Once the wax cools to 160F, pour into the prepared candle jar.
- When the candle is 1/2 hardened, you can optionally add botanicals on top.
- If the candle hardens with a crack or bubble, just take a hair dryer and smooth it out. It takes about 2 minutes to fix.
- Trim the wick once the candle is fully hardened and enjoy! (I just use regular kitchen scissors)
**FYI: Some waxes need 1-2 weeks to ‘cure’ before being lit. Curing binds the scent to the wax for maximum scent throw. If you light your candle and can’t smell anything… it probably needs time to cure.**
