How to Make Candles at Home

Candle making is a centuries-old art form, formed around 200 AD, and has become a fairly popular hobby today. Experience this ancient art form by making candles at home. They are easy to make, have a shimmering look, etc., and make great gifts. Follow these steps to make beautiful candles at home.

Table of Contents

Preparing Wax for Burning

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Choose the type of wax you want to use to make the candles. There are many types of wax to choose from. Nearly 500g of paraffin wax produces the equivalent of 600ml of molten wax. 500g of soy wax produces the equivalent of 530ml of melted wax. 500g of beeswax produces the equivalent of 500ml of wax when melted.

Paraffin wax is the traditional wax used to make candles and is still quite popular today. This is a very suitable wax for beginners because it melts quite quickly, is cheap, and is easy to color and flavor. However, you also need to be aware of the gases released when paraffin is heated, which can cause allergies in some people.
Soy wax is slowly becoming quite popular because it is easy to use, is made from soybeans and is easy to clean. It is quite environmentally friendly and can be recycled. Soy wax is also known for burning slower than most other waxes. ^{[1] X Research Source}
Beeswax is an all-natural wax and has air-purifying properties, however, it does not maintain a good scent or color. Essential oils will work well with beeswax, but keep in mind that beeswax has a pleasant scent of its own. ^{[2] X Research Source}
You can also reuse old candles that are burned or half used and deformed. Using old candles is a good way to recycle wax. Fusing them is as simple as melting other waxes (see Part Two). ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Nung Sap

Put the small sand wax into a small heatproof cup. Place the cup inside the pot to make a temporary water bath. Note: You should not burn the wax directly on the fire, otherwise it will burn or melt away. Turn on high heat to bring the water to a boil. The boiling water will melt the wax slowly.

Note that wax can be difficult to clean–so it’s a good idea to buy an inexpensive heatproof pot that you can use specifically for candle making.

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Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax. You can buy a candy or candle thermometer at a kitchen or craft store. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can also use a meat thermometer. Remember that wax is difficult to wash off.

Paraffin wax should be melted to a temperature of about 50 – 60°C. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
Soy wax should be melted until it reaches a temperature of about 77 – 82°C. ^{[6] X Research Source}
Beeswax should be melted until it reaches a temperature of about 63°C. You can heat it to a slightly higher temperature, about 79°C. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
Old wax should be fired at about 85°C. Use tongs to remove the old candle wick. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Add the fragrance oil to the melted wax. The type of fragrance oil depends on your choice. Fragrance oils such as essential oils can be purchased at your local craft store. It’s better to read the directions on the bottle than to rely on how strong the fragrance will smell once you put it in. Stirred.

Add color. Regular colorants won’t work for candles because they’re in the form of water. Buy oil-based dyes at your local craft store. You can easily find special dyes for candles. Read the directions on the bottle so you can add the right amount of dye to get the right color. Add the dye drop by drop until the desired color is achieved. Stirred.

Pour Wax Into the Mold

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Place the wick in the center of the candle mold. You can use old cans, glass jars, tea cups, any kind of mold that can withstand heat. Metal cans are usually the safest option, but you can use any mold you like, as long as you know your container can withstand the heat. Place them on a flat surface in a protected place (like a cake tray or cutting board). The wick should be placed in the center of the mold with the wick 5 cm longer than the candle. Tie the excess wick to the center of a pencil or ballpoint pen. Place the pen in the center of the mouth of the mold to be filled with wax later. Make sure the wick is hanging straight down the center of the mold. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Pour melted wax into the mold. Pour slowly so that the wax does not spill out. Make sure you don’t accidentally remove the wick. You are the one who decides where to pour the wax. Beeswax will shrink a bit as it cools, so keep this in mind when pouring the wax into the mold.

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Cool the wax. The best way to cool the wax is to let it sit for 24 hours if possible. For as long as possible.

Paraffin wax candles take 24 hours to cool.
Soy wax candles take 4-5 hours to cool. ^{[10] X Research Source}
Beeswax candles take up to 6 hours to cool, but if possible, overnight is best. ^{[11] X Research Source}
If you make candles from old candles, you can just let them cool for a few hours. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Advice

You can add lemongrass essential oil to candles to create a scent that repels insects like mosquitoes. This essential oil can be found at any natural food store.

Warning

Molten wax can be a fire hazard. Be careful while the wax is hot. Care should be taken when handling molten wax.

Things You Need

Melted wax used to make candles
Candle wicks
Ballpoint pen, pencil, or large tongs
Molds like glass jars or cans
Water bath (one large pot and one small pot)
Water
Fragrance oil (optional)
Dye (optional)
Thermometer for candy or candles
Old newspaper, cutting board or cloth to protect the candle making area
Warm soapy water in case it spills

Steps