Katrina Rosales
Making your own soy candles is a fun and simple DIY project that can be a great hobby or even a home business. Soy candles are long-lasting, eco-friendly, and natural, making them a healthier alternative to paraffin candles. They are also just as beautiful and easy to make by hand with basic tools and a few ingredients. To make a soy candle with fragrance oils, you will need soy wax flakes, a heat source, candle fragrance oil, a pouring pitcher, a container, and a wick. First, heat the wax flakes in a double boiler or microwave until melted. Then, let the wax cool before adding your desired amount of fragrance oil – typically, one ounce of fragrance oil is used for every pound of wax. Finally, pour the scented wax into your container, add the wick, and let it harden completely.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing soy wax over paraffin or beeswax
When making candles with fragrance oils, you can choose from various types of wax, including soy wax, paraffin wax, and beeswax. Each type of wax has unique characteristics and advantages, but soy wax stands out for several reasons.
Firstly, soy wax is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable resource, making it a popular choice for eco-conscious candle makers. It is derived from soybean oil and offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional paraffin wax, which is a byproduct of petroleum, coal, or shale processing. Unlike paraffin wax, soy wax does not release toxic carcinogens into the air when burned, making it a safer and healthier option for your home.
Another advantage of soy wax is its longer burning time. Soy candles burn slower and cooler than paraffin candles, prolonging their lifespan. This is also true when compared to beeswax, which, although it burns slowly, is typically more expensive than other waxes due to its labourious production process. Beeswax is produced by honeybees and requires harvesting, honey drainage, and melting, making it less accessible and affordable.
In addition to its longevity, soy wax is known for its excellent scent throw. It holds onto scents well and gradually releases them as the candle burns, ensuring a consistent and pleasant fragrance experience. While paraffin wax also has a strong scent throw, it burns faster than soy wax, resulting in a shorter candle lifespan.
Lastly, soy wax is easy to clean up, as it can be washed away with soap and water, whereas paraffin and beeswax may require more effort and specialised tools for removal.
In summary, choosing soy wax over paraffin or beeswax offers a natural, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and safe option for creating candles with fragrance oils. It provides a longer burning time, excellent scent retention and release, and a straightforward cleanup process, making it a popular and satisfying choice for candle makers.
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Adding essential oils instead of fragrance oils
If you want to make a soy candle with essential oils instead of fragrance oils, you can follow a similar process to the one outlined previously, with a few key differences. Firstly, essential oils are natural alternatives to synthetic fragrance oils, and they can provide aromatherapy benefits. Soy wax is a good choice for essential oil candles as it is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable resource. It burns clean and is safe and healthy, making it a great option for those who want to create a natural and eco-friendly home fragrance.
When making soy candles with essential oils, it is important to start with low percentages of essential oil and always measure by weight, not drops. Essential oils vary in density, so measuring by weight ensures accuracy. Check the recommended usage percentage on the essential oil product page, and start with a low load to avoid unpleasant results and product waste. For a 2-pound batch of wax, you can add around 200 drops of essential oil, but expect a mild fragrance once the candle wax has set.
The process for making the candle is similar to the fragrance oil method. You will need a heat source to create a double boiler, a pouring pitcher, a scale, and a container for your candle, such as a Mason jar. Wipe out your container with isopropyl alcohol and a clean paper towel. Center a wick in the jar using a wick sticker. Weigh out 16 ounces (454 grams) of soy wax flakes and heat the wax in the pouring pitcher with the double boiler. Once your wax is fully melted, you can add your essential oil. Check the temperature with a thermometer, and when it reaches 185°F (85°C), it's time to pour the wax into the jar.
Allow the wax to cool completely at room temperature. Once it has hardened, remove the wick bar and trim the wick to 1/4 inch (6 mm). Label the bottom of your candle with a warning. You now have a natural, essential oil soy candle! Experiment with different essential oils and scent combinations to create unique and personalized candles.
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How much fragrance oil to use
When making a single candle, it is important to know how much wax your vessel can hold and how much fragrance to use. When making a large batch, base your measurements on the total weight of the wax and add the fragrance accordingly. It is recommended to use a fragrance load of 6% to 8% to ensure a good scent throw without impacting the flame's ability to burn through the viscous fragrance oil. The flashpoint of the fragrance, the temperature at which it becomes volatile, is generally between 50-55°C, but this varies based on the wax. Therefore, only add your fragrance when the wax temperature is below this point.
The most common rule of thumb for fragrance oils in soy wax is 1 oz (by weight) of fragrance oil to 1 pound (16 oz, also by weight) of wax. This equates to a fragrance load of 6.25%. You can increase this to a 7% fragrance load by using 1.12 oz of fragrance oil. However, if you go over 7%, you will run into more wicking issues.
Always measure by weight, not by drops, as essential oils vary in density. Start with low percentages, especially as some oils shift at higher loads. You can always increase the fragrance load slightly if needed, but remember that adding too much fragrance can cause excess oil to be released during temperature changes or when the candles get too warm.
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Preparing the workspace
Firstly, choose a suitable workspace. It is important to select an area that has adequate ventilation to manage the fumes from melting wax and fragrance oils. Additionally, make sure you have enough space to lay out all your materials and tools. A flat surface, such as a counter or tabletop, is ideal for this project.
Next, gather all the necessary materials and tools. You will need soy wax, fragrance oils, wicks, wick centring devices, a heat source (such as a stove or microwave), a pouring pitcher, containers for your candles, and any optional items like dyes or decorative elements. Having everything within reach will streamline your candle-making process.
Now, prepare your containers. If you plan to use glass jars or tins, it is recommended to preheat them. This can be done by placing them in the oven at a low temperature or by rinsing them with hot water. Preheating the containers helps prevent the wax from pulling away from the sides.
Additionally, consider laying out protective coverings on your workspace. Candle-making can be a messy process, and having newspaper, butcher paper, or a silicone mat can make cleanup easier. It is also a good idea to have paper towels or a dedicated cloth nearby to wipe up any spills promptly.
Finally, ensure you have adequate lighting and good ventilation throughout the process. Proper lighting will help you accurately assess the colour of your candles and observe any visual cues during the wax melting and pouring process. Good ventilation will help manage the strong scents of fragrance oils and prevent any potential issues from inhaling fumes.
By following these steps, you will have a well-prepared workspace that is ready for the candle-making process. Remember to always work with caution and refer to specific instructions for fragrance oils and wax handling to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
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Adding colour to your candles
Candle dyes are a popular choice for adding colour to candles. There are many different types of candle dyes available, such as soy dye flakes, blocks, or liquid and gel colourants. When using candle dyes, it is essential to follow the recommended usage and add the dye when the wax is at its hottest, around 185° F (85° C), to ensure it fully melts and blends with the wax.
Natural colourants are another option for adding colour to your soy candles. This method uses natural ingredients such as herbs and spices to impart colour to the wax. For example, madder root gives a light peach shade, alkanet root produces a burgundy red, annatto seeds create a warm yellow, and spirulina results in a warm green hue. When using natural colourants, it is important to use a heat source to create a double boiler and maintain a steady temperature of around 130-140° F (54-60° C) for the wax. The infusion process can take up to 48 hours, with deeper colours requiring more time.
Additionally, certain essential oils can also change the colour of your candle over time. For example, sweet orange oil can alter the finished hue of the candle. It is important to note that natural colours may be more sensitive to fading than synthetic colours, so storing your candles in a dark place when not in use is recommended.
When adding colour to your candles, it is crucial to avoid using some colourants or dyes that may be unsafe. For example, food colouring and crayons are not suitable for candle-making as they can be dangerous when exposed to an open flame.
Finally, when customising the colour of your soy candles, it is important to consider the curing process. The recommended cure time for soy-based candles is generally one week before they are burned. This allows the colour and fragrance to set fully and ensures the candle burns properly.
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Frequently asked questions
Soy wax is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable resource that burns clean and is safe and healthy for your family. It is also easy to clean up and can be cleaned with soap and hot water.
A general rule of thumb is one ounce of fragrance oil for every pound of wax. However, it is potent and will smell stronger when the wax is melted. You can also use essential oils, but you will need to experiment to find the right strength.
Allow the wax to cool to between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, then add the fragrance oil and stir. If you add the oil before the wax has cooled, the scent may evaporate.
You will need a heat source to create a double boiler, a flat surface, a pouring pitcher, a container for your candle, a wick, and a wick bar or hot glue to secure the wick.
