Creating Aroma Candles: A Beginner's Guide To Candle-Making

Aromatherapy candles are a great way to enhance the atmosphere in your home, and making your own is a fun and easy project. You can use essential oils or fragrance oils to create unique scents, shapes, and colours, and it's a lot cheaper than buying store-bought candles. All you need is a candle-making kit, your favourite essential oils, and a heat-resistant jar. Soy wax is a good option for wax as it burns slowly and naturally clings to scents for longer. You can also add dried flowers, crushed herbs, or cinnamon sticks for added scents and decoration.

Choosing a container

Material

It is crucial to choose a heat-proof container that can safely handle the heat generated by a burning candle. Glass, metal, and ceramic containers are all suitable options. Most glass and ceramic vessels are heat-safe, but make sure to check the heat resistance of any container you choose.

Shape and Size

The ideal container shape for easy wicking is cylindrical, like an apothecary jar. This is because the burn pool of a candle forms a circular shape as it melts, and a cylindrical container allows for even burning. It is also recommended to choose a container with a diameter of 3 inches or less to facilitate easy wicking and reduce soot.

Opacity

The opacity of the container depends on the type of wax you are using. For soy candles, opaque containers are easier to work with as soy wax tends to frost, which is more visible through clear glassware. On the other hand, if you are using paraffin wax and want bold or bright colours, opt for translucent containers like glass jars or tealight cups. Opaque containers can be used to hide imperfections or wet spots that may form on the sides of the container.

Reusing Old Containers

You can get creative and reuse old candle containers, mason jars, drinking glasses, tins, small ceramic pots, or even teacups and small bowls as long as they are heat-safe. To reuse an old candle container, place it in simmering water to melt any remaining wax, then wipe it out with a paper towel and remove the wick.

Where to Buy

You can find a variety of candle containers online or at your local craft store. Amazon offers a wide range of candle-making containers in different materials, sizes, and colours. CandleScience also provides a selection of candle jars in various styles, from traditional to modern. Thrift and vintage stores are great places to find unique and matching sets of glassware for your candle containers.

Melting wax

Melting the wax is a crucial step in making your own candles at home. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparation

First, you need to decide on the type of wax you want to use. Soy wax is a popular choice as it mixes well with scents and colours. Beeswax is another option, but it doesn't mix well with fragrances. You can also use paraffin wax, which is a classic candle-making wax, but it is a petroleum byproduct and potentially toxic, so it's best avoided.

Next, you need to break up your wax into smaller pieces if it's not already in pellet form. Use a small, sharp knife to cut the wax into pieces no larger than 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. If you want to add colour to your candle, grate some crayon wax with a cheese grater or knife to create shavings.

Melting the Wax

The most common methods for melting wax are using a double boiler or a microwave.

Double Boiler Method:

• Place a large pot on the stove and fill it with about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water.
• Put a smaller pot or heat-proof bowl inside the large pot.
• Add your wax to the smaller pot or bowl. Use about 1/2 pound (230 g) of wax, which is enough to fill an 8-ounce (230 g) mason jar.
• If using colours, add the crayon shavings now.
• Heat the wax over medium-low heat (320-340°F/160-171°C or 3-5 on an electric stove) for 10-15 minutes. Keep a close eye on the temperature and stir the wax occasionally with a wooden spoon to prevent large chunks from forming.
• If the wax reaches 340°F (171°C), remove it from the heat until it cools down.
• Add your chosen fragrance after the wax has melted. Stir gently for about 30 seconds to distribute the fragrance evenly.

Microwave Method:

• Place 1/2 pound (230 g) of wax into a microwave-safe bowl, preferably glass or ceramic.
• Add your crayon shavings if using colours.
• Heat the wax in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, then stir.
• Continue heating in 2-minute intervals until the wax is completely melted, stirring after each interval.
• Remove from the microwave and add your fragrance. Stir gently to combine.

Pouring the Wax

• Lay down paper towels or newspaper on your work surface to catch any spills.
• Prepare your container by sticking the wick to the bottom with a sticker or a small amount of super glue. Hold the wick upright for 2-3 minutes to let the glue set.
• Remove the melted wax from the heat and let it cool to 266-284°F (130-140°C).
• Gently pour the wax into the container while holding the wick in place.
• If the wick is off-centre or swaying, secure it with a pencil or skewer until the wax sets.
• Allow the wax to cool and harden for about 2-3 hours.

Now you're ready to enjoy your homemade candle! Remember to trim the wick to 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) before lighting it for the first time.

Adding fragrance

Choosing the Right Fragrance

The first step in adding fragrance to your candles is selecting the right type of fragrance. You can choose between essential oils and fragrance oils. Essential oils are natural oils extracted from plants, seeds, spices, woods, and fruits. They offer aromatherapy benefits and can be quite expensive. Fragrance oils, on the other hand, are synthetic and much more affordable. They are also easier to find and come in a wide range of scents, including fruits, flowers, foods, woods, and spices.

Amount of Fragrance to Use

When using fragrance oils, it is recommended to use around 6-10% of the total weight of your wax. This usually translates to about 1 ounce of fragrance oil per 1 pound of wax. If you are using essential oils, the recommended ratio is around 1 ounce of essential oil for every 16 ounces of wax. However, it is important to note that essential oils vary in strength, so you may need to adjust the amount accordingly.

Timing of Adding Fragrance

The next important consideration is when to add the fragrance to your wax. It is recommended to add the fragrance oil or essential oil after the wax has melted and before it starts to cool down. Ideally, you should add the fragrance when the wax temperature is between 180-185 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that the fragrance is evenly distributed throughout the wax and prevents the fragrance from burning off.

Combining Fragrances

If you want to get creative, you can combine different fragrance oils or essential oils to create unique scent profiles for your candles. Start by experimenting with two different fragrances at a time, taking into account the strength of each fragrance. You can adjust the ratios as needed, but be sure to keep the total amount of fragrance to within 10% of the weight of your wax.

Adding the Fragrance

Once you have chosen your fragrance and determined the right amount, it's time to add it to your melted wax. Remove the wax from the heat source and slowly stir in the fragrance. Be careful not to get the wax too hot (over 200 degrees Fahrenheit) once you have added the fragrance. This could burn off the fragrance and affect the final scent of your candle.

By following these steps, you will be able to add wonderful fragrances to your homemade candles, creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere in your home.

Adding colour

Food Colouring

The standard food colouring used for tinting desserts is economical and comes in a wide range of colours. However, these liquid and gel colourants contain ingredients like water, propylene glycol, glycerin, citric acid, and other additives that are unable to bond with the wax. They will bead up and sink to the bottom, and no amount of stirring will incorporate them.

Crayons

Crayons are made primarily of paraffin wax, but they also contain insoluble pigments/oxides. These powder colourants will produce a beautiful colour in your candle wax, but they will quickly clog the wick. The particles are too dense, and your candle will likely burn itself out before reaching a full melt pool.

Powder Pigments

Powder pigments are effective in colouring cosmetic and beauty products, but they are not soluble and will not fully incorporate or melt into the wax. The particles vary in size and will sink to the bottom of your candle, causing it to struggle to maintain a healthy flame and burn unevenly.

Mica

Mica is a naturally occurring mineral with a beautiful reflective quality. While mica does not fully incorporate into the wax and can cause issues with the candle's ability to burn properly, it can be used as a finishing touch if applied carefully to the surface of a cooled candle.

Candle Dye

Candle dye is a synthetic chemical specifically formulated for use in candle wax. It is water-soluble and provides optimal colour and function in your candles. Candle dye can come in liquid, flake, or block form, with liquid being great for mixing colours and achieving high colour saturation, and block and dye flakes working best for medium and pastel shades.

When using candle dye, add it when the wax is at its hottest (around 185° F) to ensure it fully melts. The recommended usage for a medium shade is 1/4 teaspoon to 1 pound of wax, and for a dark shade, 1/2 teaspoon to 1 pound of wax should be plenty.

To test the shade before pouring, dip a small strip of parchment paper into the wax and let it cool. This will show you what the final colour will look like, and you can add more dye if needed without losing any fragrance.

Layering and Marbling/Swirling

You can create interesting effects by layering different colours of wax or attempting a marbling/swirling technique. When layering, always allow the wax to cool completely before pouring the next layer, and pour at a cooler temperature (no higher than 140° F) to ensure the colours do not bleed. For marbling/swirling, try dripping coloured wax around the edge of the glass and letting it cool before pouring in the main colour, or alternate pouring each colour into the container, pausing for a minute or two between layers.

Remember, when adding colour to your candles, always follow safety precautions and avoid using colourants that could become dangerous when exposed to an open flame.

Setting and trimming the wick

Setting the wick of your candle is an important step in the candle-making process. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to set and trim your wicks for optimal burning:

Attaching the Wick

Firstly, ensure you have a wick-centring device or some chopsticks to hand to help centre your wick as the wax sets. Each wick should come with a flat metal bottom. To attach the wick, dip the metal part into the melted wax and place it in the centre of the bottom of your jar or container. Hold it in place until the wax hardens and the wick stands up on its own.

Centring the Wick

Once the wick is standing up straight, you can use a wick-centring device or chopsticks to ensure the wick is centred. Place the device or chopsticks over the container, resting on the lip, and balance the wick so that it sits in the middle.

Trimming the Wick

Let the candle sit for several hours or overnight to allow the wax to fully harden. Then, trim the wick to about 1/4 of an inch. You can use scissors, but a wick trimmer will make this step easier. Trimming the wick ensures a cleaner, longer, and more fragrant burn. It also helps to prevent tunneling, where the wick is too long, causing the flame to get too hot and burn excess wax.

Maintaining the Wick

Before each burn, check that the wick is no longer than 1/4 of an inch. If the wick has "mushroomed" or become swollen at the top, it will need to be trimmed. Trimming the wick will also reduce the amount of soot released into the air and make your candle burn more slowly, making it last longer.

Troubleshooting

If you accidentally cut the wick too short, you can fix this by lighting the candle and letting it burn for about 30 minutes to create a wax pool. Then, extinguish the flame and dispose of the melted wax. Allow the candle to fully cool before relighting. If the flame is still weak or keeps extinguishing, use a heat gun to create a full wax pool, then pour out the melted wax and scrape away any excess wax around the wick with a knife.

By following these steps, you will ensure your candle burns evenly, cleanly, and efficiently, providing a pleasant atmosphere and fragrance.

Frequently asked questions