How to make scented soy candles quickly & easily. A how-to guide to DIY candle making using pure essential oils.
For my Birthday one year, strange one that I am, I asked for some wax and candle wicks to make my own candles.
I was very excited to receive them but actually forgot about it until a while later.
Spurred on by the excitement of finding a use for my jar collection, one rainy Saturday afternoon I did a bit of Googling of homemade soy candles then got straight to making my own soy candles.
It was pretty straightforward to make soy wax candles at home - melt, pour, leave to set, but what I didn't realise was that soy wax is a lot easier to work with than paraffin wax, which I'd asked for.
It made nice homemade candles but soy wax makes them a much prettier white colour so that was what I tried next.
Disclaimer: When I originally wrote this post I didn't know about the potentially harmful health effects of artificial fragrances and fragrance oils (which you will see in some of the original images).
These days, when I make a scented candle I use pure essential oils.
Why you'll love these
There are lots of reasons to make your own candles but my top ones are:
- Choose your fragrance - make your scent exactly as you like it.
- Choose your size - Make your candles whichever size you like in whichever candle containers you like - a good use for the recycled glass jar collection.
- Save $$ - It's less expensive than buying fancy candles.
- Saves waste - You can reuse your favourite candle container.
- Can control the strength - so if you like a much stronger scent you can make it.
What you need
WAX
Obviously, one of the essential ingredients of candle making is candle wax.
Make sure you get pure soy wax flakes and try to get non-GMO if possible.
There are lots of places to buy them online just do a Google or check out my resources below (contains affiliate links).
CANDLE CONTAINERS
You will need something to make your candles in.
Glass jars, ceramics and even shells make beautiful homemade candles - just make sure that your item is heat-proof up to high temperatures.
Generally if something is oven-safe then you're ok.
You can also re-use old candle jars.
How to clean old candle containers
Step 1 - Prepare
Get out all your old candle containers and boil the kettle.
Step 2 - Fill
Pour the freshly boiled water as close to the top as possible and leave to cool.
Step 3 - Remove wax
Once the water cools, the old wax will solidify at the top. Lift it out.
If there's any stuck to the bottom give it a little nudge with a fork & it will lift right out.
Step 4 - Clean
Once the wax is all removed (repeat step 2 if not), give them a little wash with dishwashing liquid & warm water to remove any black marks then dry.
WICKS
You can use cotton or wooden wicks. I've worked with both. It depends on the look you are trying to achieve. For first time candle makers, I would recommend using cotton wicks.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Make sure you're using pure essential oils. Using artificial fragrance will give you a nice dose of some potentially nasty side-effects that are best avoided.
GLUE OR TAPE
This is to hold the wick to the bottom of the container. You can also get a special wick sticker or use glue dots but I don't think they're necessary for first timers.
SCISSORS
Scissors are to trim wicks. If you're going to make a lot of candles, get some wick trimmers.
HEAT-PROOF CONTAINER
This is for melting the wax in. You can use a pot or I prefer to use a pyrex, microwavable jug and do it in the microwave.
Another great idea is using a milk frother jug with a handle. They're great cause they have a pouring spout.
STIRRER
I used a popsicle stick so I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning it after.
MEASURING CUP
This is to measure how many cups of soy wax flakes.
WORKSPACE COVER
It's best to cover your work surface to make clean up a little easier. A big sheet of paper works perfectly.
How to
Now come the technical parts of how to make soy candles.
Step 1 - Add wicks
Measure out the height just by holding it next to your container then add a few centimeters on the bottom and top.
To attach the wicks at the bottom I was very professional.
I used sticky tape. Just fold it around itself to make it double sided then secure it to the bottom of the jar.
Use a skewer to press the wicks down and stick it to the bottom.
You can get fancy little things to hold it there but sticky tape works so I'm not wasting money on something else.
A word of warning though - don't try using a hot glue gun.
The glue will melt when you add the hot wax and the wick will float up from the bottom (yes I'm telling you this from experience).
Once it's attached to the bottom you will need something to hold with wick taut and centered.
You can wrap it around a skewer.
My bag clips were the perfect size to fit over the jars so I used them.
Alternatively, if you can get your hands on wood wicks they come with a little weighted stand that will hold the wick in place.t
Step 2
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Step 3
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Step 4
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Step one - the wicks
First up you have to add the wicks. Measure out the height just by holding it next to your container then add a few centimeters on the bottom and top.
To attach the wicks at the bottom I was very professional.
I used sticky tape. Just fold it around itself to make it double sided then secure it to the bottom of the jar.
Use a skewer to press the wicks down and stick it to the bottom.
You can get fancy little things to hold it there but sticky tape works so I'm not wasting money on something else.
A word of warning though - don't try using a hot glue gun.
The glue will melt when you add the hot wax and the wick will float up from the bottom (yes I'm telling you this from experience).
Once it's attached to the bottom you will need something to hold with wick taut and centered.
You can wrap it around a skewer.
My bag clips were the perfect size to fit over the jars so I used them.
Alternatively, if you can get your hands on wood wicks they come with a little weighted stand that will hold the wick in place.
Step two - the wax
For the wax, you'll need to work out the capacity of your jars then use double the amount of flakes.
For example, if you jars hold 1 cup of liquid then you will need to measure out 2 cups of wax flakes.
Pour them into a heat-proof jug and then microwave for 1 minute. Take them out, give them a stir and microwave again for 1 minute and stir.
I used a paddle pop stick for the stirring.
If they're not melted then continue the microwave-stir 20 seconds a time until all the flakes have melted. Make sure you use an oven glove to take the jug out because it gets mighty hot - safety first!
If you don't want to use a microwave or don't have one, then a double boiler is the next easiest way to do it.
Put your heatproof bowl or jug into a large pot and pour enough water in the pot so you have a few inches of water come up the sides.
Heat until it starts to bubble then leave at a simmer until the wax melts.
I've also discovered using a coffee pot with a handle.
I have one dedicated to candle making so I just leave leftover wax in it.
It also means you can pour wax more easily.
Step three - scent the candles
How to choose your essential oils for homemade candles
There's a lot that goes into choosing your scent for making your own candles so we put together a separate quick tutorial. Learn how to choose scent for homemade candles here.
I also recommend using ceramic or glass container for mixing the oils as plastic can absorb the scent.
Once you've stirred in your fragrance, pour the wax into your containers (almost to the top of the container) then leave them to set for at least 12 hours.
You will notice that some of mine have little cracks. That is because I wanted them to set quickly so I could write this post.
I popped them in the fridge when they were nowhere near set so I'm guessing the bits around the outside set first then the inside sank a little as it set.
The moral of the story - be patient.
Then it's time to marvel at your perfect little creation. I was marvelling even more after an afternoon of shopping.
I saw a candle nearly exactly the same as this for $19 in one store and in others, bigger versions were selling for more than $50. I'm thinking maybe I should go into business.
How to make scented soy candles - video
They make a lovely gift especially considering you can tailor the container and 'flavour' to suit the person you're giving them to.
Happy candle making!
What about you? What would you make a candle in and what's your favourite candle scent?
How to make scented soy candles
Equipment
- Sticky tape
- Skewers
Materials
- Glass jars or old candles in jars
- Boiling water
- Candle wicks
- Soy wax flakes
- Essential oils
Instructions
- If you are using old candles, pour the boiling water into the old containers and leave to cool.
- Remove the wax floating on the top.
- Use dishwashing liquid and hot water to clean up any excess wax or soot.
- Dry the glass containers.
- Cut small pieces of sticky tape and fold to make double-sided tape then place in the middle of the bottom of each jar.
- Cut the wicks so that about 4cm comes out the top of the jar.
- Use a skewer to press them into the sticky tape so they stick to the bottom.
- Place a skewer over the top and wrap the wick to hold it up in the middle.
- Measure out the soy wax flakes (you will need double the amount - eg if your candle is 1 cup capacity, you will need 2 cups of soy wax flakes).
- Place the flakes in a heat-proof jug and microwave for 1 minutes.
- Remove and stir then microwave for 1 minute again then stir.
- If there are still solid flakes, microwave for 20 seconds at a time until dissolved.
- Add the fragrance oil, stir and then pour the wax into the jars.
- Make sure the the wicks are in the centre then leave the wax to set for 12 hours.
- Trim the wicks to 1 inch.
Notes
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Xenia V says
Thanks for the step-by-step, Claire, however I wanted to make a pretty important distinction that what you referenced as "essential oils" are in fact fragrance oils- a totally different beast onto itself. Yes, some think that fragrance oils are easier to handle when candle making and are definitely far easier on the wallet, but they are synthetically derived, so if you health conscious and would like to use the candles as aromatherapy, then plant-derived essential oils are the way to go, along with soy not paraffin wax, then you don't have to worry about breathing in the carcinogens are they are evaporating into the air. Obviously this is more of a concern for indoor use or around kids or asthma sufferers. SO there's my 2 cents, health and safety related. Hope it's useful! *Obviously, different concentrations have to be used when incorporating essential rather than fragrance oils.
Claire says
Thanks so much Xenia. I have been learning about essential oils recently. They have some amazing health benefits.
Cindy says
Can I add a few drops of essential oils to each container and pour in melted soy wax, stir gently, and therefore get several different scents from one batch of melted wax
Claire says
Yes you definitely could do that Cindy. Good idea!
Hannah says
Hi if I have 230g of soy wax how much fragrance do I need to add for strongest scent please.
Claire says
Hi Hannah. This is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question I'm afraid. It depends on the scents and how strong strong is for you. There should be a guide that came with your fragrance?
Liz Ward says
Hi, can we still receive replies on this thread?
Claire says
Yes of course!
Liz says
Hi, your tutorial is great! Do you have any advice on how you stop the condensation type appearance on glass jars when the soy candles have set? I'm having real problems with this. Thanks.
Claire says
Thanks Liz. Do you mean on the inside like the wax has some bubbles in it?
Gabe says
Hi there, love the way you've explained and worded this, makes it very simple! This is probably a dumb qs, but is the tape or blue tac or whatever you decide to stick the wick down in the container with, is it safe to use when the candle burns right down? Like does it burn or smoke or anything??
Claire says
Not a dumb question Gabe. Yes it could I never let it burn down quite that far just in case.
Ronni says
My wicks seem never to burn right what should i do?? Please help i promised my sister i would make a candle but sadly cant get it right. Thank you
Claire says
I'm sorry to hear that Ronni. What do you mean when you say they don't burn right?
Yunni says
Dear Claire,
Thanks a lot for the tutorial! It was really good idea to use the bag clips for holding the wicks!
Recently I started to use them as well.
Kindest regards,
Yunni
Claire says
You're welcome Yunni!
Annie Clarke says
Hi everyone. I am the least crafty person on this earth but am going to give soy candle making a go. I have purchased fragrances not oils and was wondering how much I should put in per 500gm. Can someone help please?? Thank you all in advance
Claire says
Hi Annie. The rough rule is about 30ml per 500g. Good luck!
Shanneene says
I read your tutorial and bought what I needed. However, I was told by a person who made candles for a living that you should never microwave wax, as once it reaches a 'flash point' it has a very high chance of catching fire. So I went and bought a large aluminium wax melting pot, that came with a spout which makes it easy to just pour the melted wax into your molds or jars, etc. I'm going to try the sticky tape method of keeping the wicks at the bottom. However, I found this neat thing called 'Wick Stickums' which basically stick to the bottom of the wicks with the metal bottoms, so you don't have to use a hot glue gun, and they stick the wick to the bottom of your jar or glass, cup, etc.
http://www.naturalcandlesupply.com.au/wick-stickums-15mm.html
http://www.naturalcandlesupply.com.au/wick-stickums-20mm.html
http://www.naturalcandlesupply.com.au/aluminium-pouring-pot.html
I bought lots of scents, but I think for my first voyage into candle making, I'm gonna go with a plain lavender. I will let you know how it goes. :)
Claire says
What a great idea Shanneene. The wax melting pot sounds like a very good thing too. I will look forward to hearing how you go.
Shanneene says
I created one. I created a large one, and I ended up going with a Bergamot and Teakwood scent which smells divine :) I couldn't get the sticky tape to work, so I ended up using blu-tack and it worked a treat :)
Claire says
Oh that sounds so good Shanneene!
Sarah says
Hey.
I've made 3 batchs now. & I seem to be having some problems. :(((
I sourced all my materials off eBay.
The middle of mine sink even without being placed in the fridge.
Mine also don't burn properly.
Could it be the wicks or wax it's self ?
I do put oil in them & also give them colour by adding crayons.
Claire says
Hi Sarah. You do sometimes have to pour more wax if they sink a little but the burning I would say could be the wicks. What sort of wicks did you buy? Sorry they're not working out for you!
Sarah says
Thanks so much for the instructions- Just purchased all that I need for the Natural Candle Supply website that you provided- SO EXCITED! For it to all turn up and give it a go! Hate to think how much I spend on candles- This will certainly help! I struggle daily with migraines so burn a lot of "aromatherapy oils"- I went off my aromatherapy chart in the way of selecting fragrances! CANT WAIT to chill out to some relaxing scents.
Claire says
That's a great idea to help choose the fragrances. I hope you like them!
Chris Arthur says
Also, just remember not to try trimming the wick with the wick trimmer if the wick has never been burned :)
Claire says
Oh good tip Chris!