Lance Carson
Creating candles at home is a fun and simple process that allows you to fill your home with your favourite scent. Whether it's a perfume you love or an essential oil you want to try, making your own candles is an easy way to bring a personal touch to your space. With a few basic supplies and simple steps, you can craft your own unique candles and impress your friends and family. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of making scented candles with perfume, covering everything from choosing the right wax to adding your signature scent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wax | Soy wax, beeswax |
| Container | Metal, ceramic, glass, bowl, mug, cup, jar |
| Heat source | Stove-top, slow-cooker |
| Heat level | Low-medium |
| Stirrer | Wooden, chopstick |
| Thermometer | Candy thermometer |
| Wick | Natural hemp-based, skewer, pencil |
| Scent | Essential oils, aromatic essences, fragrance oils, perfume |
| Dye | Candle dye |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a heatproof container
Your container can be a bowl, mug, cup, or any other solid container. If you are using a jar, a mason jar works well. You can also use a wax melting cup, such as a medium-size glass or metal bowl, a tall glass measuring cup, or a candle pourer.
To check if your container is heatproof, fill it with boiling water and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Then, pour out the hot water and immediately fill the container with cold water. If the container cracks or gets damaged, choose a different container for your candle.
Once you have selected and prepared your heatproof container, you can attach a wick to the bottom using a wick sticker or wax. You can also use a wick holder, or balance a skewer or pencil at the top of the mould and wrap the wick around it to keep it centred.
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Melting wax
The first step in making your own candle with perfume is melting the wax. The temperature at which candle wax melts depends on the type of wax you're using. Soy wax, for example, melts at around 49-82°C, while paraffin wax has a lower melting point of 46-68°C. Beeswax melts at 62-65°C, and gel wax has a higher melting point of 82°C.
There are several ways to melt candle wax, each with its advantages and disadvantages. One popular method is the double boiler, which is considered safer than direct heat. To do this, you can take a pot and put another one on top, or use a metal mixing bowl. Melt the wax in the top pot or bowl, monitoring the temperature with a thermometer. For soy wax, you can melt it over low to medium heat, stirring with a wooden device like a chopstick. If you're using a microwave, use a microwavable container and heat the wax in intervals until it's fully melted, being careful not to exceed 80°C.
Once your wax is melted, you can add your chosen perfume or essential oil, stirring constantly to combine them well. The amount of fragrance you add will depend on its strength and the volume of wax. Typically, a ratio of 1 ounce of perfume per pound of wax works well. You can also add colouring if desired.
After combining your wax, fragrance, and any colouring, you're ready to pour the mixture into your chosen container and insert the wick. Place the container on a safe, even, covered surface, and ensure the wax cools to around 57°C before adding the wick.
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Adding perfume
When adding essential oils, it is important to use a sufficient amount to ensure the scent is strong enough. Depending on the type of essential oil and its potency, you may need to add anywhere from 80 to 100 drops. Commercial fragrance oils tend to have stronger scents, so less is needed—approximately 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) for every 1 pound (450 g) of wax.
If you are using a perfume, the amount will depend on the strength of the scent and the volume of wax. A good rule of thumb is to use a ratio of 1 ounce of perfume per pound of wax.
To add the perfume to your candle, first melt your chosen wax in a double boiler to a temperature of around 185°F (85°C). This temperature will ensure that the perfume binds properly with the wax. Once the wax is melted, slowly stir in your chosen perfume. You can also add a few drops of colouring if desired.
After stirring in the perfume, the wax should be cooled to about 135°F (57°C). During this time, you can prepare your heat-resistant container and wick. Place the wick in the centre of the container, securing it with a small amount of wax or a wick sticker.
Finally, pour the wax and perfume mixture into your container and allow it to cool. Congratulations, you have now created your very own scented candle!
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Adding colour
To add colour to your candle, you can use candle dye. Add 3-4 drops at a time to the melted wax and fragrance mixture. To see how the colour will turn out, dip a piece of white paper into the wax and let it dry. You can also create natural dyes from herbs, spices, flowers, and fruits to add beautiful, sustainable colour to your candles.
If you are using paraffin wax, it is a good base for colour and perfume. It has a long burn time and is versatile, pairing well with perfumes and dyes. However, it is a wax derived from petroleum, so if you are looking for a more natural option, you might want to try beeswax, which is also known to improve the diffusion of lighter fragrances.
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Attaching the wick
Firstly, select a heat-resistant container for your candle. Metal, ceramic, or glass vessels are ideal as they withstand hot wax and heat from the burning candle. You can repurpose containers from old candles, ensuring they are clean and dry.
Next, prepare your wick. Cut the wick longer than the vertical height of your jar. You can trim it to size later. Place a small amount of wax at the bottom of your empty jar, then press the wick into the wax to secure it in place. Alternatively, use a wick sticker to attach the wick to the bottom of your container.
Now, balance a skewer, chopstick, or pencil horizontally across the top of the jar, and tape the wick to it. This ensures the wick remains straight and centred. You can also use a wick holder or wrap the wick around a skewer balanced at the top of the mould.
Once your wick is secure and centred, you can pour your melted wax into the jar. Fill it just below the lip, being careful to avoid spilling wax. Always pour over newspaper to make cleanup easier.
Finally, allow your candle to cool and set. You can place it in a cool location, and it will typically set within an hour. After it has set, you can trim the wick to the desired length.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need wax, a heatproof container, a wick, a stove-top, and perfume or essential oils.
First, melt your wax in a pot over low-medium heat. Then, add your perfume or essential oils to the melted wax, stirring constantly to combine them well. Next, place your wick in the centre of your heat-resistant container. Finally, pour the mixture into your container and let it cool.
You can use either essential oils or fragrance oils. Essential oils are more natural, but fragrance oils are specially formulated to last longer. Popular essential oils include lavender, grapefruit, and eucalyptus. You can also create your own fragrance oils by combining different scents.
