How To Make Candles
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Candle-making is something that I’ve always been passionate and curious about. I used to love coming up with all kinds of different combinations when it came to the scents, from yummy sugar cookie smells to the scents of the great outdoor, to even the smell of fresh rain.
First, What Are Different Types of Wax & Wicks
Wax
Beeswax - natural and non-toxic option that has a beautiful scent and long burn time but is more expensive.
Soy wax - eco-friendly, budget-friendly option that is known for its clean burn and strong scent throw.
Paraffin wax - an ideal choice for highly fragranced candles with exceptional scent throw.
ECO wicks - flat cotton wick braided with thin paper
Hemp wicks - made from hemp
What Is a Scent Throw?
Scent throw in candles refers to the strength at which the aroma is released into the surrounding space when the candle is burning. It determines how well the fragrance travels and fills a room, impacting the overall olfactory experience for the user.
A strong scent throw means the fragrance will disperse widely and linger longer, while a weak scent throw may result in a more subtle, localized aroma.
Factors such as the quality of the fragrance oils, the type of wax used, the size and composition of the wick, and the candle's design all play a role in influencing the scent throw of a candle.
A well-balanced scent throw can enhance the ambiance of any space, creating a more enjoyable sensory experience for the user.
How to Make Molded Candles
Making a candle in a mold is a little different because you will not need a container. You can reuse molds over and over if you care for them.
Here are some molds perfect for candle making!
Basic Candle Making Supplies
Wicks - ECO, hemp, or wood (wick size is based on how thick your candle is)
Wick stickers or hot glue and glue gun
Scents - fragrance oils
Melting pot or large pot to create a double boiler
Measuring cups and spoons
A separate mixing spoon
Clothespin, or something to hold the wick in place
Candle wick trimmer or scissors
How To Make Candles - The Basics
Step 1: Melting the wax
Place the melting pot onto the kitchen scale and zero out the weight.
Fill the melting pot with your wax until the kitchen scale reads 1 pound (0.45 kg)
Add the melting pot to a saucepan and fill the saucepan halfway with water. (This creates a double boiler affect)
Using your kitchen thermometer, melt the wax until it reaches 180°F (82°C)
Step 2: Preparing the jar
Be sure to clean your glass jars from any unwanted dust and debris
Using a wick sticker, center your wick in the middle of the jar
Step 3: Adding fragrance to the wax
Check the wax temperature with a thermometer. When the wax has reached 180°F (82°C), it's time to add fragrance oil. Pour in the 1 oz (28 g) bottle of the fragrance oil, approximately a 7% fragrance load. Stir gently for 2 minutes to ensure that the oil is fully incorporated with the wax.
Step 4: Pour wax into the prepared jar
When the wax cools to 135°F (57.2°C), carefully pour the wax into the jars.
Carefully wrap the wick around a skewer or pencil the prevent the wick from falling down unto the wax.
Let the wax cool completely and allow your candles to fully harden at room temperature.
Step 5: Trimming the wick
Once the candle has completely cooled, remove the skewer or pencil. Use a wick trimmer, or a pair of scissors, and cut the wick down to a 1/4 of an inch.
You can now enjoy your new handmade candle!
