Lyla Lindsey
Making candles at home is a fun and simple activity that can be done by anyone. With the right supplies and a bit of planning, you can create beautiful, fragrant candles that make great gifts or additions to your home. Candle-making is part science and part craft, and while there may be some hiccups along the way, troubleshooting is usually quite simple. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to make your own candles at home in Australia, covering everything from choosing the right supplies to common challenges and how to fix them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | 20 minutes |
| Ingredients | Wax, wick, essential oil or fragrance oil, pot, stove-top or slow cooker |
| Common wax types | Beeswax, soy wax |
| Common wick types | Paper, cotton, zinc, wood |
| Common tools | Pot and bowl for double boiler, spoon, thermometer, popsicle sticks or pencils, skewer, tape or adhesive putty |
| Common challenges | Sinkholes, black soot |
| Common solutions | Top-up pour, pour wax slowly, gently tap container, trim wick before each burn |
| Common styles | Floating candles, infinity candles, sculptural candles |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right wax
Type of Wax
The most common types of candle wax include paraffin, soy, beeswax, and coconut wax. Paraffin wax is the most popular and affordable option, known for its excellent scent throw and versatility in creating various candle types. Soy wax is a more eco-friendly alternative to paraffin, offering a slow, steady burn, but it may not hold fragrances as well. Beeswax is ideal for crafting free-standing pillar candles due to its hardier nature, while coconut wax is also an option.
Candle Form
The type of candle you want to make will influence your wax choice. For pillar candles, which stand on their own, paraffin, beeswax, and palm wax are excellent choices. For container candles, consider paraffin's versatility or soy wax's eco-friendliness. If you're making floating candles, ensure you choose a lightweight wax.
Scent and Burn Time
If you want a highly scented candle with a strong fragrance, paraffin wax is a great option due to its excellent scent throw. However, if you prefer a lighter scent, soy wax might be a better choice. Keep in mind that the amount of fragrance oil should not exceed 7% of your candle to avoid issues like black soot. For longer burn times, consider beeswax or palm wax for their harder textures.
Eco-Friendliness
If sustainability is important to you, opt for eco-friendly waxes like soy, beeswax, or rapeseed wax. Soy and beeswax are natural and biodegradable, while rapeseed wax is vegan-friendly and produces minimal soot. However, soy wax has some concerns about deforestation and pesticide use, so it's not entirely without environmental issues.
Aesthetics
The visual appeal of your candle can also be enhanced by choosing the right wax. Palm wax creates stunning crystalline and feathered textures, adding a decorative touch to your candle. Blended waxes allow you to customise your candle's appearance, scent throw, and burn time to create unique aesthetics.
Remember, choosing the right wax is a personal decision based on your specific requirements and preferences. Don't be afraid to experiment with different waxes to find the perfect fit for your candle-making journey.
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Picking a container
Picking the right container for your candle is an important step in the candle-making process. Firstly, you need to decide if you want a container candle or a free-standing candle. If you opt for a free-standing candle, you will need to use a mould to shape the candle as it sets. Moulds can be purchased online or from specialist stores. If you want to make a container candle, you have a few options to choose from.
Votive holders, candle jars, empty Mason jars, and tin cans all make great containers for candles. You can purchase specific candle jars from craft stores or candle-making wholesalers, or you can recycle jars or containers from home. Just make sure your containers are clean and dry before you begin. You can also get creative and use items such as citrus slices, cloves, and cooking oil to make infinity candles, which have gained popularity on TikTok.
It's important to consider the size of your container in relation to the size of your wick. Candle vendors typically provide a wick guide based on the type of wax you use and the size of your container. A thicker wick will produce a larger flame and is better suited to larger candles, while a thin wick may struggle to stay lit in a large candle.
Most candles perform best when the wax accounts for about 93% of the candle, with fragrance oil making up the remaining 7%. Use your container as a measuring tool by filling it with wax flakes or shavings. A good rule of thumb is to use about two containers' worth of flakes per candle. Remember that melted wax takes up less space, so you may need to top up your candle with extra wax once it has cooled to fill any gaps.
With so many container options available, you can easily create beautifully packaged candles that make great gifts or online store items.
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Preparing the wick
Firstly, determine the length of your wick. For container candles, the wick should be approximately 2 cm longer than the height of your container. This will allow you to secure the wick at the base and have a little extra length at the top for lighting. If you are making pillar candles, the wick should be the exact height of your mould, secured at both ends.
There are a few methods to secure your wick. One common technique is to use a wick holder or sustainer, which is a small metal tab that holds the wick in place. You can glue this to the base of your container using a hot glue gun. Alternatively, you can wrap the base of the wick in a small piece of aluminium foil and glue that to the container. This creates a stable base and ensures the wick stays centred.
If you are making a pillar candle, you will need to secure the wick at both ends of your mould. You can use a small amount of moulding wax to attach the wick to the bottom of your mould, then use a pencil or skewer to hold the wick taut at the top, centring it as much as possible.
For a natural option, you can prime your wick by dipping it in melted wax. This is a great way to ensure your wick holds its shape and burns evenly. Simply melt some wax in a double boiler and carefully dip the wick tab and a few centimetres of the wick itself into the wax. Allow it to cool and harden, then trim the wick to the desired length.
Another important step is to ensure your wick is straight. A simple way to do this is to roll your wick stock onto a piece of cardboard or a spool. This keeps it taut and straight, ready for use. You can also purchase pre-waxed, pre-tabbed wick which is convenient and saves time.
Finally, always trim your wick to approximately 5mm before lighting your candle. This ensures a clean, even burn and prevents the flame from becoming too large, which can cause smoking and soot. Regularly trimming the wick will also help your candle last longer.
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Melting the wax
Preparing the Wax
Before melting the wax, it's important to measure the amount of wax required to fill your chosen container. This step ensures you don't waste wax and end up with the desired size of the candle. Fill your container with wax flakes or shavings, keeping in mind that melted wax takes up less space. A good rule of thumb is to use about two containers' worth of wax flakes per candle.
Melting Methods
The most common method for melting wax is using a double boiler. This method ensures even heating of the wax. Prepare a pot of water and place it on your stove. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce it to a gentle simmer. Place your wax into a metal container that can be safely placed inside the pot of simmering water. The warm water will transfer heat to the metal container, gradually melting the wax. This process should take around ten minutes.
Alternatively, you can use a slow cooker or a dedicated wax melter for melting the wax, especially if you're working with larger batches. These options provide more controlled heating and can be safer for beginners.
Temperature Control
Monitoring the temperature of the wax is essential. Use a thermometer, preferably a digital infrared thermometer or a deep-fry thermometer, to measure the wax temperature. For candle-making, the wax should reach a temperature range of 160–185 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range ensures the wax is melted sufficiently without overheating. Overheating the wax can affect the final quality of your candle.
Adding Fragrance
Once your wax has reached the desired temperature, it's time to add your chosen fragrance. Remove the container with the melted wax from the heat source. For a scented candle, add your desired amount of fragrance oil to the melted wax and stir well. Typically, about 1 ounce of fragrance oil is added to 12 ounces of wax. However, you can adjust the amount based on your preference for scent strength.
Pouring the Wax
After adding the fragrance and stirring, the wax is almost ready to be poured into your prepared container. Allow the wax to cool slightly before pouring, but not enough for it to start solidifying. The ideal temperature for pouring is around 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a spoon or similar utensil to carefully pour the melted wax into your container. Centre your wick using popsicle sticks or pencils to keep it stable while the wax cools and solidifies.
Troubleshooting
If you notice a dip or hole around the wick after your candle cools, don't worry. This is a common issue called a "sinkhole," especially with soy wax. You can fix this by performing a "top-up pour," where you pour a small amount of extra wax to fill the gap once your candle has cooled. Additionally, pouring the wax more slowly or gently tapping the container to release air pockets can help prevent sinkholes.
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Adding fragrance
The amount of fragrance oil you use is important. Most candles perform best when the wax accounts for 93% of the candle and the fragrance oil is 7%. Adding more fragrance oil will not make the candle stronger, and too much oil may cause issues with the setting of the wax and the burning of the candle. For example, too much oil may cause liquid beads of oil to pool on the top of the candle, and the candle may produce black soot.
When adding fragrance, you should first melt your wax to between 160 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the wax reaches the target temperature, remove the container from the heat source and add your chosen fragrance oil. Stir the mixture for a few seconds—this will provide an exquisite floral smell. You can also add essential oils to your candle, but be aware that these will not produce a strong scent.
If you are making multiple candles, you can easily double or triple the amounts to make 4-6 candles at a time. You can also experiment with different combinations of scents, such as rosemary and lavender.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a pot and a bowl for a double boiler, a spoon, a thermometer, popsicle sticks or pencils, a wick, wax, and fragrance oil. Candle-making kits are available online and in some craft stores.
Soy wax and beeswax are popular choices for homemade candles. You can also mix the two.
Candle wicks are usually made of paper, cotton, zinc, or wood. Thin wicks are suitable for most candles, but thicker wicks are better for larger candles as they create a larger flame and melt the wax faster.
To avoid a sinkhole forming around the wick, pour the wax slowly and gently tap the container to release air pockets. You can also add dye to your wax to give your candles colour.
