How to make candles with essential oils
If you feel like you’re spending half your salary on fancy scented candles, you need to learn how to make candles with essential oils. There is an initial outlay on equipment and supplies required, but this is an inexpensive way to swim yourself in scented candles.
Additionally, essential oils are all natural, so you don’t have to worry about the health effects of burning synthetic fragrances and know exactly what has been put into your candles. It also allows you to experiment with scents.
Selection of essential oils
Essential oils are fragrant concentrated oils from plant leaves, stems, fruits or flowers. While you can make essential oils from any plant, some are more popular than others and there are many plants that are not used in any commercial essential oil.
When making candles with essential oils, the oils you choose determine the scent of the candle. You can use a single essential oil, but you can get a more complex fragrance if you mix a few. Try mixing three essential oils like citrus, light fruit or fresh herbal scents for the top note; sweet and rounded scents such as cinnamon, flowers or lemongrass for the heart note; and rich, soft scents like vanilla, cedar wood or patchouli for the base notes.
Not every combination will be a winner, but it’s fun to experiment.
Pick wax
The purpose of making candles with essential oils is that when they burn they will release fragrance into the room. For this reason, we strongly recommend using soy wax to make your candles. Soy wax lasts natural scents longer and burns slowly, so it releases fragrance from essential oils into the air more slowly and evenly.
The advantage of slow burning is that your candles will last longer. Another good reason to use soy wax over paraffin wax is that it burns naturally, non-toxic, and cleaner without releasing excess smoke or soot into the air.
Steps to make candles with essential oils
Follow these simple instructions and in no time you will be making scented candles like a pro. The instructions below are container candles as these are easiest to make when you are just starting out with candle making.
Prepare your containers
It’s a good idea to have the containers you’ll be using for your candles ready before you begin the more complicated parts of the process. You can use any heat-resistant container of your choice, such as old jars or cans, but you can also purchase containers made for candle-making if you’d rather have something made for the job.
At this point you also need your wicks, which are made of cotton or hemp and ideally should be pre-ribbed for easy handling. Glue the bottom of the metal tab to the bottom of the inside of the container with glue dots or a hot glue gun, making sure it is as centered as possible. You can use a wick centering tool to make sure the wick stays centered and upright when you pour the wax into the container, or you can place a pen or chopstick across the center of the container and tape the wick to it to keep it in place Keep center.
Melt wax
Add 18 ounces of soy wax flakes to a metal or glass bowl or crock pot for candle making. It is worth buying a special pourer if you plan to make candles on a regular basis. Bring a saucepan partially filled with water to a simmer and place the wax-filled bowl or saucepan in it to melt in the water bath. This is similar to melting chocolate without a microwave. Stir occasionally until completely melted.
Check wax temperature
Once the wax has melted, check the temperature with a candle wax thermometer. It should be between 140 and 150 degrees before essential oils are added. If the temperature is higher, just wait for it to cool down.
Add essential oils
Next, add the essential oils to the mixture. You should aim for a dilution between 3-6 percent, about 2-4 teaspoons of essential oils when using 18 ounces of wax. You can either use one essential oil or mix several for a more nuanced scent. Stir well to mix the scent evenly through the wax.
Add dye if desired
At this point, you can color your candles with a liquid or powdered candle paint before pouring.
Pour and let it set
Now simply pour the wax mixture into the prepared vessels. Let it sit for at least 24 hours before you cut the wick and light your candles.
What to buy for candle making
Ancient Health Remedies Soy Wax Flakes
Soy wax flakes are the main ingredient in your candles. We love this brand because it’s made from soy grown in the US, while some soy is grown in cleared rainforest areas.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Lagunamoon premium set with essential oils
This essential oil set contains 20 oils that you can use to add a variety of scents to your candles and make your own blends. It comes with an essential oil guide that can help you on your candle-making journey.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
EricX Light Cotton candle wicks
You cannot make candles without wicks. These are cotton wicks that burn clean and come in a pack of 100 to keep you going for some time.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Aroparc candle boxes
These 24 cans hold 4 ounces each and are ideal for making small container candles. The cans are available in two colors.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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