How To Make Candles in 10 Easy Steps (2024)

For those who’re starting your personal candle-making business, determining what type of candles to make and sell is one of the vital fun parts of the job. There are lots of different fragrances, waxes, and accents (like pressed flowers) to select from, and this process can take plenty of thought and inventive energy.

But making candles at home may be fairly easy, so long as you intend fastidiously and use the correct tools—and your candle-loving friends will appreciate your additions to their home décor.

Plus, this might just be the beginning of a side hustle or small business.

Ahead, learn what materials you have to and follow our 10-step guide on learn how to make candles.

Materials and tools needed to make candles

Here’s an outline of the supplies you’ll have to make homemade container candles.

Materials

Wax

Candle wax typically is available in wax shavings or wax flakes, which may be purchased in bulk online or out of your local craft store.

A number of the commonest kinds of wax used to make candles are:

• Paraffin wax
• Bees wax
• Soy wax

Wicks

Every candle needs a wick. Wicks are typically made from paper, cotton, zinc, or wood.
Thin wicks are appropriate for many candles, but can snuff out easily when utilized in large candles. Likewise, thick wicks are likely to have larger flames, which melt wax quicker, making them a more sensible choice for giant candles.

Fragrance oils

Scented candles get their fragrance from essential oils or fragrance oils, that are added to the melted wax in the course of the candle-making process.

You need to use single-note fragrances, with one scent, pre-blended fragrance oils, or make your personal mixtures.

Here’s some scent inspiration:

• Single note: 
  bergamot, mandarin, or rosemary
• Pre-blended: sea breeze, apple pie, or pumpkin spice
• Custom mixtures: rose patchouli, lavender sage, to mint lime

The quantity of fragrance oil and the variety of wax you employ will determine how much scent your candle gives off. Wax with the next melting point, like bees wax will give off less scent than wax with a lower melting point, like paraffin.

Tools

Spatula

A heat-proof spatula for stirring wax will ensure a good melt.

Heat-proof candle containers

Mason jars, glass jars, and even tin cans make excellent candle containers. The larger the container, the larger your candle shall be.

Double boiler

Double boilers are kitchen tools that evenly distribute stovetop heat for controlled warming—and so they’re perfect for melting wax. You need to use a store-bought double boiler or make one by placing a metal bowl on top of a pot with a small amount of water in the underside.

Thermometer

Use a candy thermometer, a digital infrared thermometer, or a deep-fry thermometer to measure the temperature of your wax.

Popsicle sticks or pencils

To stabilize the wick in the course of the curing process, you have to Popsicle sticks, pencils, chopsticks, or other lightweight, straight objects.

Paper towels

Don’t get wax on your whole kitchen towels! Paper towels are perfect for cleansing up wax drips.

make candles in 10 steps

1. Prep containers and supplies
2. Measure the wax
3. Melt the wax
4. Add your fragrances
5. Place the wick
6. Stabilize the wick
7. Pour the wax
8. Clean up
9. Wait for the candle to cure
10. Light your candle

Making candles at home requires a number of specialized items, some planning, and just a little little bit of time—however it’s simpler than you may think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the candle-making process.

1. Prep containers and supplies

You should purchase votive holders or specific candle jars from a craft store, but empty Mason jars and even tin cans may even work. Just ensure that you just like the look of the vessel—most poured candles can’t be transferred out of their container prior to burning.

Be sure that that your candle containers are clean and dry, and place them on a flat surface. Keep your wicks, fragrance oils, and Popsicle sticks, chopsticks, or other wick holders nearby.

2. Measure the wax

Measure your wax by pouring wax flakes or wax shavings into your candle containers, which act as your candle molds. Because shavings take up more room than melted wax, use roughly two candle containers price of flakes per candle.

3. Melt the wax

Pour your wax shavings or flakes into your double boiler and slowly warm the wax, using your spatula to fastidiously stir the melting wax and catch any bits that stand up the sides of the pot.

Paraffin wax melts at around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, soy wax melts at roughly 124 degrees Fahrenheit, and beeswax melts at around 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Use your candy thermometer to watch the temperature.

4. Add your fragrances

For those who are making scented candles, now could be the time to get creative.

Some fragrance oils are specifically designed for candle making. For these, follow the instructions on the packaging. For those who are using essential oils, add 30 to 40 drops of oil per eight ounce candle. Add the oils slowly and stir along with your spatula.

5. Place the wick

Place one wick in each candle container. Seal the wick to the middle bottom of the jar by placing a drop of wax (or a drop of Super Glue) on the underside of the wick and letting it dry on the underside of the jar. For a good burn, ensure that the bottom of the wick is centered within the container.

6. Stabilize the wick

Before you pour the wax, place two Popsicle sticks across the highest of the jar, sandwiching the wick between them. This may keep the wick upright because the wax hardens. You may also use chopsticks, pencils, and even butter knives—just watch out to not drip an excessive amount of wax on them in the method.

7. Pour the wax

Fastidiously pour the wax, filling the candle container to just under the highest of the rim. Pour slowly to attenuate air bubbles.

8. Clean up

Dried wax may be tricky to wash up. Wipe up any melted wax drips in your work surface or the surface of the candle mold with paper towels. Hot water may be used to wash up hardened wax spills.

9. Wait in your candle to cure

Soy candles will harden to room temperature in about 4 hours and completely cure in three to 4 days. Paraffin wax candles cure faster (in about two days), and beeswax candles take as much as 10 days to cure completely. Once the candle is dry, you possibly can remove the chopsticks and trim your wick.

In case your candle has dried with pockmarks or indentations within the surface—typically attributable to air bubbles rising in the course of the drying process—warm just a little bit more wax and add a skinny layer on top.

10. Light your candle

Light ’em up and let ’em burn! Candles make great gifts or online store items, and are an economical solution to achieve a beautifully lit, aromatherapy-infused home.