How to Make Candles with Essential Oils

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When it comes to creating a relaxing and cozy atmosphere, nothing quite beats the warm glow and soothing scent of a candle.

And while there are many candles available for purchase, making your own can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when using essential oils. Essential oils not only offer a natural and pleasant fragrance but also have therapeutic benefits such as reducing stress and improving mood.

In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through how to make candles with essential oils, so you can enjoy a more personalized and aromatic ambiance in your home.

Gather Materials

Before you begin making your candles, gathering all the necessary materials and tools is important. Here’s what you’ll need:

Wax – You can use soy wax or beeswax. Be sure to use a high-quality wax specifically designed for candle making.
Essential oils – Choose your favorite essential oils or blends to create your desired scent. Be sure to use essential oils that are safe for candle making.
Candle wicks – Select appropriate wicks for the size of your candle jars.
Candle jars – You can use mason jars, recycled glass jars, or purchase candle jars.
Double boiler or a makeshift one – You can use a double boiler designed explicitly for candle making or create your own with a pot and a heatproof glass bowl.
Thermometer – To ensure that the wax is heated to the proper temperature.
Stirring utensil – A wooden stick or spoon works well.
Dye chips (optional) – If you wish to add color to your candles, dye chips help to achieve a consistent and vibrant hue.
Scissors – To trim the wicks after placing them in the candle jars.
Tape – To hold the wicks in place while the wax cools.

Once you have gathered all of the materials, you will be ready to start making your candles with essential oils.

Prepare Work Area

It’s essential to prepare your work area to ensure a safe and efficient candle-making experience. So, follow these steps to set up your space:

Clear a workspace

Choose a flat, heat-resistant surface such as a kitchen countertop or table. Make sure the area is free from clutter and distractions.

Protect the surface

Place newspaper, parchment paper, or a silicone mat on the work surface to catch any wax spills and make cleanup easier.

Organize materials

Arrange all of your gathered materials within easy reach, so you can access them quickly and efficiently during the process.

Ensure proper ventilation

Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling fumes from the heated wax and essential oils. Open windows or use an exhaust fan if available.

Keep safety equipment nearby

Have oven mitts or pot holders on hand to handle hot items, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.

Keep children and pets away

Ensure that children and pets are not in the immediate area to prevent accidents or distractions while you work with hot wax and other materials.

By taking the time to prepare your work area properly, you can create a safe and organized environment for making your candles with essential oils.

Melt Wax and Add Essential Oils

Melting the wax and adding essential oils is a crucial step in the candle-making process. These instructions will help ensure the proper mixing of wax and oils:

Measure the wax

Determine the amount of wax you need based on the size and number of candles you plan to make.

A general rule of thumb is to use 1 pound (16 ounces) of wax for every 20 ounces of candle jar volume.

Melt the wax

Using a double boiler or makeshift one, heat the wax over medium heat until it melts completely. Stir occasionally with a wooden stick or spoon to ensure even heating.

Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature, making sure it stays between 160°F – 180°F (70°C – 82°C) for soy wax and around 145°F (63°C) for beeswax.

Add essential oils

Once the wax has melted, remove it from the heat source. Allow the wax to cool slightly (around 130°F – 140°F or 54°C – 60°C). This will help preserve the scent of the essential oils.

Then, add your desired essential oils or blends. The recommended amount is 0.5 – 1 ounce (15 – 30 ml) of essential oils per 1 pound (16 ounces) of wax.

Mix thoroughly

Stir the essential oils into the melted wax for at least 1-2 minutes to ensure proper distribution. This will help create a consistent fragrance throughout the entire candle.

Add dye chips (optional)

If you want to color your candles, now is the time to add the dye chips. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the appropriate amount and mix well to achieve an even color.

Prep Candle Jars

Preparing your candle jars is an important step in the candle-making process to ensure that your candles burn correctly and look visually appealing.

Select appropriate jars

Choose glass jars that are specifically designed for candle making or that are heat-resistant, such as mason jars or recycled glass jars. Ensure that the jars are clean and dry before use.

Choose wicks

Select wicks that are appropriate for the size of your jars and the type of wax you’re using. You can find wicks that come pre-tabbed or choose to buy separate tabs to affix them yourself.

Attach wicks to jars

Dip a wick tab into melted wax, then center it at the bottom of the jar. Hold the wick upright using a wick holder or tape on the top of the jar to prevent it from falling over while pouring the wax.

Straighten the wick

Straighten the wick by gently pulling it taut. Make sure it’s centered in the jar.

Secure the wick

To keep the wick in place, wrap the end around a pencil or chopstick, resting it across the top of the jar. Or you can simply use tape to hold the wick upright in the center.

Add decorations (optional)

You can add dried flowers, herbs, or other decorative items to the bottom of the jar before adding wax to create a more visually appealing candle.

Pour Wax into Jars

Follow these instructions to ensure a seamless pouring process to create beautiful, high-quality candles with your desired scent!

Prepare your workspace

Place your prepared jars on a flat, heat-resistant surface.

Pour the wax

Slowly pour the melted wax into the center of the jar while holding the wick in place using a wick holder or tape. Fill the jar to within about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) from the top.

Avoid air pockets

Use a wooden stick or spoon to gently stir and remove any air pockets that may have formed.

Top it off

Once the wax has cooled and hardened a bit, you may notice a slight dip or sinkhole around the wick. Simply melt a small amount of wax and add it to the top of the candle to even it out.

Add decorations (optional)

If you have added decorative items to the bottom of the jar, make sure they don’t move or float to the top while you pour the wax.

Allow to cool

Let the candles cool and set for several hours or overnight. The ideal temperature for cooling is around 70°F (21°C).

Let Candles Cool and Set

After pouring the wax into the jars, allowing the candles to cool and set before moving them or trimming the wicks is important.

Leave them alone

Allow the candles to cool and harden at room temperature for several hours. The cooling and setting time will vary depending on factors such as the size of the candle and the ambient temperature.

Avoid disturbances

Do not move or disturb the candles during the cooling and setting process, as this could cause the wax to crack or the wick to shift.

Check the appearance

After a few hours, check the candles to see any sinkholes or dips near the wick. If so, you can melt a small amount of wax and add it to the top to even it out.

Test the wicks

Once the candles have completely cooled and set, test the wicks by lighting them. If the flame burns steadily and doesn’t flicker or smoke, the wicks are correctly trimmed and ready to use.

Trim Wicks and Enjoy

After allowing the candles to cool and set, it’s time to trim the wicks and enjoy your new candles. You are now only four steps away to enjoy your candles!

Remove any wick holders or tape from the top of the jar.
Check the length: Ensure the wick is about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) before lighting. This will prevent the flame from becoming too large and cause the candle to burn unevenly or emit smoke.
Trim the wick: Use scissors to trim the wick to the proper length. Be careful not to cut the wick too short, making it difficult to light or causing the wax to tunnel.
Add a cover (optional): If you’re not using the candles immediately, add a lid or cover to protect the candles from dust and debris until you’re ready to use them.

Conclusion

Once the wicks are trimmed and the candles are ready to use, light them up and enjoy the beautiful scents and warm ambiance.

You’ve successfully made your candles with essential oils, and you can now create personalized gifts or experience the therapeutic benefits yourself.

Making candles with essential oils is a fun and rewarding experience that allows you to customize the scent and ambiance of your home.

Share your new candles with friends and family, or keep them all to yourself for a cozy and inviting home atmosphere. Happy candle-making!