There is nothing quite like the flickering of a candle that adds a sense of peace and calm to a space. As soon as a cool breeze hits, I'm ready to light up all the candles and cozy in. In our home, however, that first means making them. Once we learned just how toxic store bought candles are, we knew we had to learn how to make natural, non-toxic scented candles at home.
The first time I began melting, mixing, sniffing and pouring, there was no turning back. I've been making my own scented candles with natural wax, essential oils, and cotton wicks for several years now and am excited to share everything you need to know so you can make your own natural candles at home too.
Supplies
Stock Pot
Ingredients
Instructions
Set up your candle-making station with all the supplies you will need, placing jars on a tray in an area that you can easily access them for pouring, but also in an area where they can remain undisturbed for twenty-four hours while setting.
Weigh your natural soy wax using a kitchen scale. For making two 8 oz. candles, use 16 oz. of wax.
Melt wax slowly in the candle pitcher using the double boiler method.
While wax is melting, use wick stickers to attach your wick to the center of your jar. Use a wick setter/wick holder to keep wick sturdy and centered at the top of your jar.
Measure essential oils into a small jar for pouring them into your wax. You will use one ounce (or 30ml) of essential oil for every one pound of wax to achieve the strongest scent throw.
Once your wax is fully melted, remove it from the burner and take the temperature.
When wax is between 175°-180°, you will gently stir in the essential oil for about two minutes to fully incorporate the oil into the wax.
Allow your wax to settle down after stirring. Once the wax is between 150°-160°, it's time to pour.
Slowly pour wax into your jars. Allow candles to set for twenty-four hours before moving them.
Once set, you will trim candle wicks to 1/4".
For the best scent throw (how much scent your candle puts off), wait two weeks to light your homemade candles. It's important to keep your wicks trimmed to 1/4" every time you light your candle for the cleanest burn. Remember also to allow your candle time to achieve a full melt pool before blowing your candle out. Blowing candles out too early often result in wasted wax. Wax has a memory so it is especially important to allow the wax to melt all the way to the edges of the jar on the very first burn. The wax will follow the same pattern each time you burn your candle.
My Favorite Essential Oil Combinations for Fall & Winter Scented Candles
(Use code SARAJEANIRENE when purchasing essential oils from the links above for 20%off!) More info here.
There is much to cover on the topic of natural candle making and I plan to share more tips and tricks soon. For now, I hope you've enjoyed learning the basics on how to make natural, non-toxic scented candles at home using natural wax, essential oils and cotton wicks. Leave a comment if you have questions or to let me know how your candles turn out.
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