How to make candles?

This guide on how to make candles will help you start your journey selling homemade candles.

It’s hard to be against candles. Whether it’s a pumpkin spice candle, deeper scents like leather and tobacco, or a simple flickering light on a cool fall evening—there’s likely a candle out there for everyone.

People love to use candles to relax, create ambiance, or even mask any odors that may arise. Whether you're a pro at creating scent profiles or a beginner looking to get started, a candle business could be the perfect side hustle. Candle-making materials can be affordable if purchased in bulk and the production process is fairly simple.

If you're starting your own candle-making business, figuring out what type of candles to make and sell is one of the job's most fun (and perhaps sometimes difficult) parts. There are many different fragrances, waxes, and accents (like pressed flowers) to choose from, and this process can require a lot of thought and creative energy. Still, making candles at home can be quite simple, as long as you plan carefully and use the right tools, and your candle-loving clients will appreciate your additions to their home decor.

Materials you will need to make candles.

Here's an overview of the supplies you'll need to make homemade container candles:

1. Wax. Candle wax usually comes in wax chunks or flakes, which can be purchased in bulk online or at your local craft store. Paraffin wax and natural waxes such as beeswax and soy wax are popular options.

2. Wicks. Each candle needs a wick. Wicks are usually made of paper, cotton, zinc, or wood.

3. Aromatic oils. Scented candles get their fragrance from essential oils, or fragrance oils, which are added to melted wax during the candle-making process.

4. Spatula. A heat-resistant spatula for stirring the wax will ensure it melts evenly.

5. Heat-resistant container. Mason jars, mason jars, or even tin cans make great candle containers. The larger the container, the larger your candle will be.

6. Water bath. Double boilers are kitchen tools that evenly distribute stovetop heat for controlled heating and are perfect for melting wax. You can 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 bottom.

7. Thermometer. Use a candy thermometer, digital infrared thermometer, or frying thermometer to measure the temperature of the wax.

8. Popsicle sticks or pencils. To stabilize the wick during the curing process, you'll need Popsicle sticks, pencils, toothpicks, or other straight, lightweight objects.

9. Paper towels. Don't get wax on all your kitchen towels! Paper towels are ideal for cleaning up wax drips.

10 key steps to make candles.

· Prepare containers and supplies

· Measure the wax

· Melt the wax

· Add your fragrances

· Place the wick

· Stabilize the wick

· Pour the wax

· Clean

· Wait for the candle to dry

· Light your candle

Making candles at home requires a few specialized items, some planning, and a little time, but it's easier than you think. Here is a step-by-step guide to the candle-making process.

1. Prepare containers and supplies.

You can purchase specific candle holders or candle jars at a craft store, but empty Mason jars or even tin cans will also work. Just make sure you like the look of the container; most spilled candles cannot be removed from their container before burning.

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

2. Measure the wax.

Measure the wax by pouring wax flakes or shavings into the candle containers, which act as candle molds. Because shavings take up more space than melted wax, use about two flake candle containers per candle.

3. Melt the wax.

Pour the wax chunks or flakes into the double boiler and slowly heat the wax, using the spatula to carefully stir the melted wax to catch any chunks rising over the edges of the pot.

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

4. Add your fragrances.

If you're making scented candles, now is the time to get creative. You can use single-note fragrances (like bergamot, tangerine, or rosemary) with a scent, pre-blended fragrance oils (like sea breeze or apple pie), or make your combinations (like rose patchouli or lavender sage).

Some fragrance oils are designed specifically for candle making. For these, follow the instructions on the package. If you are using essential oils, add 30 to 40 drops of oil per eight-ounce candle. Add the oils slowly and stir with the spatula.

5. Place the wick.

Place a wick in each candle container. Seal the wick to the center bottom of the jar by placing a drop of wax (or a drop of Super Glue) on the bottom of the wick and allowing it to dry on the bottom of the jar. For even burning, make sure the base of the wick is centered in the container.

6. Stabilize the wick.

Before pouring the wax, place two Popsicle sticks on top of the jar, sandwiching the wick between them. This will keep the wick upright while the wax hardens. You can also use chopsticks, pencils, or even butter knives; just be careful not to drip too much wax on them in the process.

7. Pour the wax.

Carefully pour in the wax, filling the candle container just below the top of the rim. Pour slowly to minimize air bubbles.

8. Clean.

Dried wax can be difficult to clean. Wipe up any melted wax drips on your work surface or the outside of the candle mold with paper towels. Hot water can be used to clean up hardened wax spills.

9. Wait for the candle to dry.

Soy candles will harden at room temperature in about four hours and will be completely cured in three to four days. Paraffin wax candles cure faster (in about two days) and beeswax candles take up to 10 days to fully cure. Once the candle is dry, you can remove the sticks and trim the wick.

If your candle has dried with pits or indentations in the surface, usually caused by air bubbles rising during the drying process, heat a little more wax and add a thin layer on top.

10. Light your candle.

Light them and let them burn! Candles make great gifts or items from online stores and are a cost-effective way to achieve a beautifully lit, aromatherapy-filled home.