Making soy wax candles at home is a fun and fulfilling task as you can make your own fragrance, shape, and designs depending on your preferences. Soy wax is completely natural and environmentally friendly, which ensures a clean burn and low environmental constraints. This guide explains how to make soy candles step by step, including selection of appropriate materials and decoration with pleasing scents. It also explains the differences between essential oils and fragrance oils, their advantages, drawbacks, and most importantly, how to make sure that you do not go wrong. No matter your level of experience in crafting, this guide has everything you need to make sure your candles look good and light up your mood and space.
Materials and Supplies for Crafting Soy Wax Candles
Before you start creating your own soy wax candle, it is important that you collect the necessary materials and supplies as it will make your process faster and more enjoyable.
To do this, you will need the following materials:
- Soy Wax Flakes: Primarily used in candle making due to its ease of use and clean-burning characteristics.
- Candle Scenting: Select fragrance oils for your candles.
- Wick Candles: Wicks must be selected according to the size of the container. It is advisable to use wicks that do not have lead in them for a better burn.
- Candle Holders: Glass, tin, or ceramic bowls can serve the purpose. Of course, these should be heat-resistant and quite firm.
- Double Boiler: This is a setup that can melt wax in two bowls - one heat-resistant glass or metal bowl over another bowl with a source of heat or water. Alternatively, wax melting pots are microwaveable.
- Thermometer: Used to measure wax temperature and drying temperature.
- Clothespins or Wick Holders: Used to keep the wick upright, centered in the container.
- Wick Stickers or Super Glue: These are tools used to fix the wick into the vessel.
- Stirring Tool or Spoon: Used to mix the fragrance into the melted wax.
- Scissors: Used to cut the wick to approximately 1/4 inch after the candle is fully set.
- Optional: Heat Gun: Handy if you want to smooth the candle surface after it has set.
How to Make a Candle Using Soy Wax
Making a soy wax candle by yourself is fun and fulfilling, especially considering that commercially available scented candles may not necessarily cater to your taste in both scent and appearance. These tips can help you make a clean-burning candle that looks beautiful and can be used in your home.
Wax Preparation
Begin by preparing the soy wax flakes by washing them in clear water and scrubbing them with a clean cloth. Heat the water and put the flakes of soy wax into it. Stir gently until you have a consistent mixture prior to removing it from heat. With every two cups of soy wax flakes, you will get around one cup of liquid wax.
If microwaving is more convenient, then microwave the flakes in one-minute increments while stirring after each round, until the wax has fully melted. As a pro tip, make sure to prepare the container for the candle earlier; to do this, heat it in water and wipe off the moisture before using it. This technique reduces thermal shock, allowing for a more uniform cooling and hardening process of the wax.
Add Your Fragrance
Fragrance can be added once the melted wax cools down slightly, between about 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature helps to ensure that the delicate aroma of the scent does not get burned off. To make a strong scent, one pound of wax should have one ounce of fragrance oil mixed in. For a more organic option, use about 50 to 100 drops of essential oils. Stir gently to ensure a pleasant smell without the oils floating to the top.
Keep in mind that scented candles will lose their scent as they cure, so you should use fragrances at high concentrations if you want them to stay better after the curing process.
Stick the Wick
If the wick is loose, apply some melted wax to the base of the wick or use super glue and press the metal wick tab against it. Ensure that the wick stays in position until the wax completely dries. You may utilize a clothespin, chopstick, or wick holder for this purpose. Make sure the wick stays straight in the center of the glass and does not shift around.
If the container you are using is broad and shallow, and it only requires one wick, ensure it is placed at the center so the burning will be even and all wax is utilized efficiently.
Pour the Wax with Care
Take your time and pour the wax into the container with caution. Any excess melted wax can be saved for future candles.
Before pouring, melt the wax and prepare for the process to avoid spills. Timing is critical, and it’s best to pour at room temperature. To create a sleek and smooth candle, pour slowly to reduce bubbles that may mix in the wax. Finally, let everything dry.
Let It Set
One of the biggest challenges includes pouring the candles and getting them into a container. The thickness of the candle allows for the wick to be trimmed while making the candle itself. All the attention given to crafting the candle and the time spent waiting create a piece of perfection.
Your hand-poured candle is now ready to light up your space with warmth and soothing ambiance. Light it and enjoy the comforting glow of your own creation!
Candle-Making Common Errors to Keep in Mind
Candle-making can be considered an art. However, certain basic errors are often committed that limit the appeal and functionality of the end product. For example, excessive heating of wax can lead to discoloration and an uneven burn. The use of a double boiler is recommended at all times to avoid overheating during the melting process. Additionally, overheating can limit the amount of fragrance release from the candles.
Another common error is improper placement of the wick. If a wick is not centered, the candle burns unevenly or tunnels, wasting wax and defeating the candle's purpose. While the wax is setting, optimal conditions should be maintained, using wick holders or clothespins to stabilize the wick.
Moreover, avoid pouring wax too quickly, as this can introduce air bubbles, causing cracks or an uneven surface. Pour gently and ensure the candle is positioned in a cool room to avoid these problems and achieve a quality finish.
Best Essential Oil Combinations for Soy Wax Candles
When making soy wax candles, you can achieve your desired scent using essential oils to suit your mood or to add a natural aroma to your home. For a warm, cozy scent, soy candles with essential oils like orange and cinnamon work best. For a calming and refreshing aroma, try lavender and peppermint. For a spa-like setting, bergamot and clary sage are great choices. Spicy combinations like clove, nutmeg, and ginger add warmth, while lemon and vetiver provide a refreshing and invigorating fragrance.
Use around 100 drops per pound of wax and adjust for your preferred intensity. Mix the oils thoroughly into the wax for even aroma distribution. These oils not only smell delightful but also offer aromatherapy benefits.
Essential Oils vs. Fragrance Oils in Candle Making
First, one has to understand the differences between essential oils and fragrance oils. Essential oils have a strong therapeutic benefit and they are extracted from natural sources, making them healthy and environmentally friendly. But then again, certain oils can be more flaky, and some can even evaporate or change at high temperature.
On the contrary, fragrance oils are more synthetic and designed specifically for candles so they usually have a wider variety of scents and better scent throw. A major downside to fragrance oils is their inability to provide the natural benefits of essential oils, but there are nice high-quality phthalate free fragrances in the market which burn clean.
In the end, it comes down to whether one prefers the healings of nature or a scented touch that lasts longer.
What is the ratio of essential oils to soy wax for candles?
Soy wax candles should be made with a fragrance load of 8 - 10 percent. This ensures that there is a strong scent throw while still not overloading the candle which could affect its performance or safety.
Can essential oils be incorporated into soy candle making?
Essential oils can be added into soy candles for the purpose of providing the candles with natural scents. However, care should be taken as they are more fragile than fragrance oils. Only use heat-stable oils and apply them when the temperature is between 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid a degradation of the strength of the oil.
What are the risks of using a lot of essential oil in a candle?
There are some risks in using essential oils for candles in excess quantities. In particular, if too much oil is put in a candle, it will cause overloading which can cause poor candle burning, increased smoke and even the flame can get out of control and become a hazard. Furthermore, the wax may be inadequately solidified therefore the candle will be messy or intentions of making it would flop. Optimal results will be reached if the recommended ratios are maintained.
With candle making skills such as knowing where to place the wick, adding scent blends and avoiding basic blunders, you will gain the ability to create unique candles which are not only customizable and also light and safe for the environment. With the help of your home-made soy wax candles, you are then able to create a beautiful atmosphere in your house! Enjoy.