Creating Fragrant Soy Candles: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making your own candles is a fun way to express yourself creatively. Soy candles are known for their excellent cold throw, long-lasting slow burn, and opaque white finish. Natural soy wax candles make impressive gifts for eco-conscious friends, housewarmings, and holidays.

To make your own soy candles, you will need:

- Soy wax flakes

- Candle wicks

- Fragrance oils or essential oils

- A heat-proof container

- A pouring pitcher

- A digital scale

- A thermometer

- Wick stickers or glue dots

- Wick bars, popsicle sticks, clothespins, or pencils

- Warning labels

- Place a medium saucepan on your burner or hot plate and fill 1/3 of the pot with water to create a double boiler. Heat on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

- Weigh out your soy candle wax and heat it in the double boiler until it reaches 185°F (85°C).

- Place a wick sticker on the bottom metal tab of the candle wick, then place the wick in the center of the candle container.

- Once the wax hits 185°F (85°C), add your desired amount of fragrance oil and gently stir for 1-2 minutes.

- Allow the wax to cool to 135°F (57.2°C) and carefully pour it into your prepared candle containers, filling them to about 1/4 inch from the top.

- Center the wick in each candle with a wick bar, clothespin, or popsicle stick, and let the candles cool completely.

- Trim the candle wicks, add a warning label to the bottom of the containers, and enjoy your homemade soy candles!

Choosing the right wax

When choosing soy wax, look for a brand that is specifically designed for candle making, such as Golden Brands 464 or Advanced Soy Wax Flakes. These waxes are made to have a strong hot throw, which means your candles will have a strong scent when burned. You can also find soy wax that comes with wicks and metal wick-centering devices, which will make the candle-making process easier.

If you want to add colour to your soy candles, look for wax dye chips or blocks in your desired colour. These can be added to the melted wax before pouring it into your candle containers. However, keep in mind that soy wax is opaque in its solid state, so the colour will look lighter once the wax has cooled.

When choosing a container for your soy candles, look for heat-proof glass jars, ceramics, or even shells. Make sure that your container is safe for high temperatures, especially if you plan to burn your candle for an extended period. You can also reuse old candle jars by cleaning them out with boiling water and removing any leftover wax.

Overall, choosing the right wax for your soy candles is important to ensure the best results. By selecting a high-quality soy wax, adding colour with wax dye, and choosing the right container, you can create beautiful and fragrant soy candles.

Selecting the right wick

Understanding Wick Types

Before selecting a wick, it's important to understand the different types available. Common wick types include:

• HTP wicks: HTP wicks are coreless and made of cotton flat braid with paper filament throughout, providing increased rigidity. They are versatile and can be used with both paraffin and soy waxes. HTP wicks are self-trimming and designed to reduce carbon buildup, which leads to less soot.
• ECO wicks: ECO wicks are also coreless and made of cotton flat braid with paper filament. They typically work best with soy waxes but can also be used with paraffin waxes of lower melting points. ECO wicks are self-trimming, clean-burning, and produce minimal mushrooming, soot, and smoke.
• CDN wicks: CDN wicks use a flat braid style, offering greater flexibility to candle makers. They are zinc-free and suitable for a wide variety of waxes, including palm, paraffin, and soy.
• CL wicks: CL wicks (cotton and linen) are innovative flat wicks made from unbleached cotton interwoven with a linen thread. They offer excellent rigidity and minimise afterglow and smoking, making them ideal for vegetable and heavily fragranced mineral waxes.
• Wooden wicks: Wooden wicks are a modern and popular choice, known for producing a crackling flame. They typically create a lower, wider flame for a slow, even burn and work well with paraffin, soy, and palm waxes.

Factors Affecting Wick Selection

When selecting a wick for your soy candle, consider the following factors:

• Container size and shape: The diameter of your container is a crucial factor in wick selection. As a general rule, match the burn diameter of the wick to the diameter of your container. However, keep in mind that different glassware, waxes, and fragrances can yield varying results. Always test your candles with new supplies.
• Wax type: Soy wax is a popular choice for candle makers due to its long burn time and ease of cleanup. However, different wax types may require different wick sizes. For example, higher-viscosity waxes like single-pour paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax may require a larger wick size.
• Fragrance and dye: The type and amount of fragrance oil and dye used can also impact your wick selection. Colour and fragrance can affect the burning process, and some may require a larger wick. Fragrances with heavier oils, for instance, can clog the wick and affect its performance.
• Burn duration: If you're aiming for longer burn durations, opt for a smaller wick size, and for shorter burn durations, choose a larger wick. The average burn time for a candle is typically 2-3 hours.

Testing and Troubleshooting

Finally, testing is an essential part of the wick selection process. Here are some tips for testing and troubleshooting:

• Always take detailed notes during testing, as changing any variable (wax, wick, container, colour, etc.) can affect the candle's burning characteristics.
• When testing, burn a minimum of three candles to ensure consistency.
• If your candle doesn't burn evenly and leaves residual wax on the container's sides, adjust the wick size accordingly.
• If your candle wick drowns or tunnels, it may be too small for the diameter of your container. Try using a larger wick size.
• If you're using essential oils, start with low percentages, as natural candles can be created by pairing plant-based waxes like soy wax with these oils.

Adding colour

Choosing the Right Colourant:

• It is important to select the appropriate dye for your soy candles. Soy wax is opaque in its solid state, so the colour will appear much lighter once the wax has cooled.
• Dye blocks are generally recommended for soy candles as they produce more vibrant and darker colours. Liquid dyes, on the other hand, usually result in pastel or lighter shades.
• Avoid using crayons as they do not burn well and may contain substances that are unsuitable for candles.

Adding the Colourant:

• First, melt your soy wax to a temperature between 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range will ensure that the wax is hot enough to easily mix in the colourant.
• Next, add the desired amount of dye to the melted wax. Start with a small amount and gradually increase until you achieve the desired colour.
• Stir the dye into the wax thoroughly until there are no specks of colour remaining. Ensure that the dye is fully incorporated to avoid any unmixed patches in your final candle.
• If you are using dye blocks, they should melt immediately when added to the hot wax. If any specks remain, return the wax to the heat source for a brief period and stir again until fully mixed.

Tips for Best Results:

• It is important to add the colourant before you add any fragrance oils or essential oils to your soy candles. This ensures that the colour is evenly distributed throughout the wax.
• Always stir the wax and colourant mixture thoroughly to avoid any unmixed patches or specks of colour in your final candle.
• Allow the coloured wax to cool slightly before adding any fragrance. This will help prevent the scent from evaporating.
• If you desire a stronger colour, you can reheat the wax and add more dye, stirring thoroughly until you achieve the desired shade.
• Remember that soy wax will appear much lighter once it has cooled and solidified, so don't be concerned if the melted wax looks darker than your intended colour.

Picking a scent

When choosing a fragrance oil, always refer to the manufacturer's recommendations and run your own burn tests. You should also refer to the IFRA Certificate and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to make sure you are not using too much fragrance oil. Using too much can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and increase the risk of respiratory issues.

The amount of fragrance oil you use will depend on the density of the oil. Oils containing vanilla, for example, tend to be stronger than others. It is recommended to start with a 6% fragrance load, or 1 oz. of fragrance per 16 oz/1 lb. of wax. Most wax manufacturers recommend a fragrance load of 6-8% with a max of 10-12%.

Citrus and some herbal oils, particularly those made of essential oils, have a lighter density and may burn off too quickly or smell "off". Try adding these oils at a lower temperature and/or blending with a higher-density oil. Most fragrances with vanillin/vanilla are easier to work with due to their high density. Make sure you are using oils made for candle-making, not perfume or cologne, which contain flammable ingredients.

You can also use candle-approved essential oils for homemade soy candles. Check the recommended usage percentage on each essential oil product page and start with low percentages.

The temperature at which you add your fragrance oil is important. Add your fragrance when your wax is between 175ºF to 185ºF. Remove the wax from the heat source before adding the fragrance to the mixture. You want to bring the wax to a higher temperature than just the melt point to ensure the wax molecules have fully expanded. That way, each fragrance molecule will be fully encapsulated and trapped within the wax. Most fragrances should be added between 175-185° F.

Finally, let your candle cure before you test it. Curing allows the fragrance oil to "spread out" into the wax evenly and provides the best scent throw. For best results, let your candles cure for about a week.

Preparing the container

Firstly, select the right container for your soy candle. You can use glass jars, ceramics, or even oven-safe shells. Ensure that your chosen container is heat-proof and can withstand high temperatures. If you're unsure, it's better to choose a container that can handle the heat to avoid any safety hazards.

Next, clean your container thoroughly, especially if it's a recycled jar. Remove any labels, stickers, or residue with hot soapy water and a sponge. Dry the container completely before proceeding to the next step.

Now, it's time to prepare the wick. Cut the wick to the desired length, leaving about 2-3 cm at the top. You can use cotton or wooden wicks, depending on your preference. Cotton wicks are generally recommended for beginners.

Attach the wick to the centre of the container's bottom using a wick sticker or a small piece of double-sided tape. Make sure the wick is straight and secure. You can also use a dab of hot glue or a wick centering device for added stability.

If you're using a metal wick tab, a handy trick is to dip it in melted wax before placing it in the centre of the container. This will help it stand upright and stay in place. Alternatively, a hot glue gun can be used, but be cautious as the hot glue may melt when you pour in the hot wax later.

Finally, prepare your workspace by covering it with newspaper or a large sheet of paper. This will make cleanup easier in case of any spills or messes. Gather all your materials, including the prepared container, and you're ready to move on to the next step of candle-making!

Frequently asked questions