Candle making is a passion for many and can be a great hobby to enjoy during your leisure time. Creating something with your own hands can bring feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment, and candles offer the added benefit of creating a cozy atmosphere in which to relax.
The personal touches you can add to your candles are endless. Feel free to mix and match your favorite scents and colors to create a candle that perfectly reflects your personality.
If you are new to DIY candle making, don’t worry! With our professional candle making tips, beginners will soon be making perfect candles in no time.
Candle Making Tips
Consider Candle Making Tips: Top 10 Candle Making Tips for Beginners as your comprehensive guide to at-home candle making. With our professional guidance, you’ll soon be making DIY candles just like a pro!
Top 10 Candle Making Tips For Beginners
Learning the process of DIY candle making is relatively easy; however, without proper guidance, you may encounter various challenges.
1. How To Get Started!
One of the biggest challenges for beginners in DIY candle making is not knowing where to start. Don’t worry; this is common when trying something new. In this section, we will cover the things you need to consider before getting started.
First, it’s important to decide which type of candle you want to make. Will it be small tea lights or votives in glass jars? Or perhaps you’d prefer to make pillars and tapers using molds or regular container candles.
Once you’ve chosen the type of candle, you can decide how to customize them. Options include essential oil fragrance, color, and other decorations like dried flower petals.
Be prepared by researching different options and reading up on the process, especially if you have no prior experience in DIY candle making. Follow our candle making tips to get started!
2. Know Your Tools And Ingredients
Before beginning your DIY candle making journey, you’ll need to assemble a DIY candle making kit. Here’s a list of the tools and candle making ingredients you should have on hand:
Equipment/Tools
- A double boiler: to melt your chosen wax
- A microwave oven: an alternative method for melting wax
- A heat-resistant bowl/microwavable bowl: for use with the double boiler or microwave
- Wooden stirring stick: to mix the wax while melting
- Measuring scale: for precise measurements of wax
- Electric stove/induction/hot plate: heat source
- Thermometer: to measure wax temperature
- Scissors: for trimming wicks
Materials
- Wax (paraffin, soy, beeswax, etc.)
- Small heat-proof glass or ceramic jars (Mason jars, old candle holders)
- Pre-made wax wicks that fit your jar
- Fragrance (essential oils)
- Color/non-toxic crayons (optional)
- Dried flower petals (optional)
- Chopsticks/clothespins/popsicle sticks: to help hold the wick in place
3. Choose The Right Wax For Your Candles
One of the initial choices you must make in DIY candle making is selecting the type of wax you want to use. Wax is a primary component in candle making, and there are numerous options to choose from:
- Paraffin Wax: Paraffin is the most commonly used wax in candle making, especially in commercial settings. It is a synthetic wax, making it relatively cheaper than other options. It is suitable for various types of candles, including pillars, votives, containers, and tealights. However, some people avoid using paraffin due to its non-natural origin and the emission of carcinogens when burned.
- Soy Wax: Soy wax is a 100% natural wax derived from hydrogenated soybean oil. It’s ideal for DIY candle making as it holds scents well and is easy to work with. Soy wax is perfect for container candles, votives, tealights, jars, tarts, etc. However, it’s not suitable for pillar candles.
- Gel Wax: Gel wax is unique in that it’s not actually wax but a synthetic combination of resin and mineral oils. It has a transparent, jelly-like appearance and can hold various non-flammable decorations. Gel wax is excellent for creating votive or container candles with a distinctive look.
- Beeswax: Beeswax is a natural wax, slightly more expensive than soy or paraffin waxes. It’s a versatile option suitable for almost all types of DIY candle making. Beeswax is available in sheets and can be mixed with other types of wax, depending on your desired candle type, including pillars, votives, and container candles.
- Palm Wax: Palm wax is another natural wax derived from palm oil. It’s harder and more brittle than soy wax, making it suitable for pillar candles as well as votives.
4. Know About The Wicks
Wicks are the core of any candle, and there are many different types to choose from. Your choice of wick depends on various factors, including the type of wax, the candle’s size and shape, whether you plan to use fragrance or coloring agents. Here are different types of wicks to consider for your DIY candle making kit:
- Wood Wicks: These wicks are coreless and made from wood. They work well for soy and paraffin-based container candles but aren’t suitable for pillar candles or votives.
- Paper-Core Wicks: Made from natural fibers, these wicks burn hot and intense, making them less suitable for scented candles. They are a good option for non-scented pillar, votive, and container candles.
- Zinc-Core Wicks: These are the most commonly used wicks. They have a hard core that keeps the wick steady during burning, resulting in even burning. Zinc-core wicks are suitable for medium-sized paraffin and gel candles.
- HTP Wicks: HTP wicks are coreless and made of braided cotton. They are good for preventing mushrooming and soot, making them an excellent choice for soy, gel, and paraffin wax candles.
- CD Wicks: CD wicks are favored for scented candles. They provide a smooth and consistent burn in all waxes, making them suitable for pillar, votive, or container candles.
- ECO Series Wicks: Designed specifically for natural wax candles, ECO series wicks also work well with paraffin wax. They produce lower soot and smoke levels compared to paper-core wicks due to their unique braiding. These wicks are suitable for both pillar and container candles.
5. What Is The Best Way To Melt Candle Wax?
Melting candle wax can be done in a few different ways. One option is to use a double boiler, and the other is to use a microwave.
Using a Double Boiler:
- Fill a pot 3/4 full of water and bring it to a simmer.
- Place your wax in a heat-resistant bowl and set it in the pot over the simmering water.
- Use a wooden spoon to stir the wax while it melts.
- You don’t need to keep the water boiling all the time; you can add more water as needed to prevent overheating.
- Monitor the temperature with a thermometer, and do not exceed 180°F when melting the wax.
- After adding color and fragrance at 180°F, cool the wax to 160°F before pouring it into containers.
Using a Microwave:
- Put a small amount of wax into a microwavable bowl.
- Set the microwave to normal/high heat and microwave for 1 minute.
- Remove the bowl and stir the mixture.
- Microwave for two more minutes. Repeat until the mixture reaches a temperature of 180°F.
- If you want to add scent or color, do so when the wax reaches 180°F. You can reheat the mixture if needed for even blending.
- Allow the mixture to cool before pouring it into the container. The entire process should take about 5-10 minutes, depending on the wax quantity.
6. Keep The Temperature In Check
Monitoring the temperature of the wax is crucial in candle making. Different wax types have different melting and pouring temperatures, so it’s essential to keep track. To prevent cracking, it’s advisable to preheat your containers to 140°F-170°F before pouring the mixture. Here are some temperature guidelines for common wax types:
- Paraffin Wax: Melt between 180°F – 185°F. Add fragrance and color at the same temperature. Pour into molds or containers at 160°F – 170°F.
- Soy Wax: Heat in a double boiler to 180°F – 185°F, then mix in fragrance and color. Pour at 140°F – 160°F.
- Gel Wax: Melt until it reaches 205°F-210°F, then add fragrance and pour into containers as soon as possible.
7. Knowing Which Essential Oils To Use And How
You can use almost any essential oil when making DIY candles, but we’ve come up with a few winning combinations to help you out! Before you dive into this part of our candle making tips, it’s important to get your measurements right. For each 8 ounces of liquid wax, you need 1 ounce or 40 drops of essential oil. Here are some essential oils for relaxation and rejuvenation:
Essential Oils for Relaxation and Stress-relief:
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Jasmine Essential Oil
- Bergamot Essential Oil
- Lemongrass Essential Oil
- Chamomile Essential Oil
- Ylang-ylang Essential Oil
- Frankincense Essential Oil
Essential Oils for Rejuvenating Energy:
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Sweet Orange Essential Oil
- Spearmint Essential Oil
- Lemon Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil
Scented Candle Recipes (For 4-ounce Candles):
- Mix 7-8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil and 7-8 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil.
- 15 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil and 10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil.
- Mix 10 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil and 10 drops of Spearmint Essential Oil.
- Create a blend of 10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil, 7-8 drops of Chamomile Essential Oil, and 5 drops of Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil.
- 7-8 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil mixed with 7-8 drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil and 7-8 drops of Eucalyptus Oil.
- 15 drops of Vanilla mixed with 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil.
- Mix 7-8 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil, 7-8 drops of Lemon Essential Oil, and 7-8 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil.
If you find your candle isn’t giving off much scent, there are a few possible reasons. Be sure to measure the oil and wax perfectly before mixing to get the most fragrance from them!
8. Dealing With Soot, Mushrooming, And Tunneling
A few other concerns for both rookie and novice candle makers include excess soot, mushrooming, and tunneling.
Dealing With Soot:
- One of the most common causes of excess soot is using the wrong wick size. An oversized wick can lead to higher soot production due to a faster burn rate. Ensure you measure and use the correct wick size for your candle.
- Avoid using synthetic colors and fragrances, as they can also contribute to excess soot. Using only essential oils is strongly recommended.
Mushrooming:
- Mushrooming occurs when the wick burns too fast, causing wax to be absorbed by the wick and creating a mushroom-like buildup, often consisting of excess carbon. This can be prevented by using smaller wicks.
Tunneling:
- Tunneling is a common concern in DIY candle making, where the candle burns excessively at the center, creating a dent or tunnel. This reduces the candle’s burn time and overall effectiveness. To prevent tunneling, ensure the first burn is done in a draft-free area and keep an eye on it. If tunneling still occurs, check the wick size; it may be too small for the candle’s size.
9. Practice Patience And Attention To Detail
Candle making is a simple yet time-consuming process. It requires patience and meticulous attention to detail throughout the entire process. Cooling candles can take 24-48 hours for paraffin and even up to a week for soy and scented candles. Maintain a tidy workspace, clean and preheat your molds or containers, monitor temperatures closely, and don’t forget to trim the wicks before lighting!
10. Keep Practicing And Perfecting Your Art!
Just like any other art form, following DIY candle making tips and instructions alone won’t guarantee a perfect candle. Continuous practice and learning from mistakes are essential for improvement. Keep experimenting with different scents, colors, and techniques to develop your unique candle-making style.
I hope these revised candle-making tips help you on your DIY candle-making journey. Enjoy your creative and fulfilling hobby!