DIY projects are always fun, as they allow you to customize your product according to your preference. You take control of the details and make something that suits your preferences perfectly! If you know anything about candle making, you will know the endless number of options you have to choose from. However, if you are new to making candles, the first place to start is with a few basic candle making ingredients. After you have the basics down, you can then customize your candles with whichever colors and scents you prefer.
It is important to remember that when making candles at home it can take a bit of experimentation before you get a perfectly scented candle. This is because there are lots of factors to be considered, including how much of each ingredient you are using and the quality of them. When purchasing ingredients for candle making at home there are a lot of different options to explore. This is why having a bit of proper guidance is important!
Follow our blog to learn all about candle making ingredients and recipes, and have the best DIY candle making experience of your life.
Basic Candle Making Utensils and Tools
Making mess-free candles at home can involve a fair number of utensils. While following DIY candle making instructions, you will come across plenty of different options, so it is up to you to decide which tools and materials best suit your needs.
Melting the Wax
When making candles at home, one of the first things you need to be able to do is melt the wax. This can be done in two different ways. One option is to use a Double Boiler, and the other way is to use the Microwave.
A Double Boiler
Double boiling uses heat from boiling water to melt something in a separate container without burning it. Using a double boiler requires the use of a hot plate or stove. You can either buy a double boiler online, or make your own using a pot and a heat-proof bowl.
To make your double boiler, you need,
- A saucepan or pot – to boil water.
- A bowl or jar – that fits over the pot.
- A wooden stick - to mix the wax while melting.
To melt your soft wax with a double boiler, follow these easy instructions:
- Fill your pot ¾ full of water and put it on the hot plate or stove. Bring the water to a simmer.
- Now, put your wax into the smaller bowl and put it over the pot with water.
- Use the wooden spoon to stir the wax while melting.
- Keep in mind it is not necessary to keep the water boiling all the time. You can occasionally add additional water to keep the water temperature down and ensure it doesn’t boil dry.
- Keep the temperature in check using a thermometer. Do not exceed 180ºF while melting the wax.
- After mixing any add-ons like color and fragrances at 180ºF, cool the wax to 140ºF before pouring.
Microwave
Microwaving is another viable option for melting your wax being simple yet fast.
The things you require in this process are,
- A microwave.
- An ovenproof bowl – to melt the wax in.
- A wooden spoon – to stir the molten wax.
Follow the given instructions to melt your wax safely using a microwave.
- Put a small amount of wax into your microwavable bowl according to its size.
- Keep the heat on normal or high and place your bowl inside the oven for 1 minute.
- Take it out and stir the mixture.
- Again place it inside the microwave oven and heat for 2 minutes.
- Keep doing this until the mixture reaches 180ºF temperature.
- If you want to add any scent or color, do it when the wax reaches 180ºF. Also, you can reheat the mixture after stirring if the color is not mixed evenly.
- Lastly, cool the mixture before pouring it into any container.
It should take about 5-10 minutes, depending on the amount of wax you are melting at once.
Stirring the Hot Mixture
Whether you are using a double boiler or microwave to melt your wax, you need to stir it to ensure it’s evenly blended. It is best to use a Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula. This will help ensure the wax doesn’t stick to them, making cleaning relatively easy.
Keeping the Temperature in Check
You may think you can easily make candles without paying attention to temperature. However, while working with DIY candle making ingredients, you need to keep a close eye on it. Whether melting, mixing or pouring the temperature needs to be correct for the best results. This is why you need a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
You can either use a Candy Thermometer, Dial Thermometer, or Digital Thermometer to check the temperature.
Candy Thermometer
This is a glass thermometer widely used in cooking and candy making that has become popular among candle makers. It’s accuracy makes it a valuable part of any DIY candle making kit, however, these thermometers can be sensitive and slightly more fragile than other options.
Dial Thermometer
These are a bit more expensive than the candy thermometer, but are much sturdier. Another good option for candle making.
Digital Thermometer
This is by far the most expensive option, but its added benefits include how robust it is, as well as the fact it reads accurately up to two decimal points.
Infrared Thermometer
This is by far the best option if you have the budget for it! IR Thermometers use IR rays to check the temperature accurately and offer a digital display!
Containers for the Candles
When making your own candles with your candle making ingredients, it is important to have good containers. There is a lot of room for creativity here, however, it's crucial to make sure whatever you use is heat-resistant and crack free. Anything that is made of heavy glass or ceramic can be suitable for making candles.
Options include old candle containers, glass jars, small cups, or even terracotta plant pots. It is also easy to find cheap glass or ceramic containers in most craft shops.
You can also opt to use Silicone Molds for making pillar candles.
Securing the Wicks
Wicks need to be placed at the very center of the candles. This can sometimes be difficult to achieve when trying to pour the wax mixture into your container. Thankfully, there are many objects which can be used as wick holders.
It is possible to use Chopsticks, Popsicle sticks, or even Pencils to secure the wick in the middle. Another effective option is to use Clothespins to hold onto the wicks and keep them hanging in the proper position.
Necessary Candle Making Ingredients
In order to make candles at home, you will need a few DIY candle making kit supplies. Although candles don’t require a large number of materials, there are many options to choose from. Necessary materials include:
- Wax
- Wax wicks
- Clean, heat-resistant container
- Wick holder
If you wish to make colorful, scented candles, you will need a few additional ingredients such as:
- Fragrance or Essential Oils
- Non-toxic coloring agent
- Dried Flower Petals
- Dried Herbs and Spices
Wax
Wax is going to be the main component in your candle making ingredients list. You will find many different types of wax to choose from, including some of these common options:
- Paraffin Wax – although most popular, paraffin wax is synthetic in origin. It is cheap and widely available, but it does not burn as neatly or as cleanly as some of the other options.
- Beeswax – a natural wax collected from beehives. It is an excellent choice for candle making in terms of texture, usability and safety.
- Soy Wax – a natural wax derived from soybeans. It is also environmentally friendly, making it a good option for candle making. Not only does it burn more cleanly, it can also be easily customized with your favorite scents and colors. In the case of DIY candle making for beginners, soy wax is an ideal option.
- Coconut Wax – a natural wax derived from coconut oil. It has a high melting point, making it ideal for mixing waxes together.
- Gel Wax – is a synthetic wax made from mineral oil and resin polymers. In fact, it is not actually a wax but a transparent, gelatinous texture more like jelly! It can be used to make many types of decorative candles.
Wax Wicks
You will find many types of wicks available for use. Using the wrong material for a wick can cause Mushrooming, Tunneling, or Excessive Flickering of the candle.
Some of the best and commonly used candle wicks are:
- Wood Wicks – coreless, natural wicks made of natural wood. They are a good choice for any wax based candle. Available in many different sizes.
- Paper-core Wicks – burn very hot, and with high-intensity making them unsuitable for aromatherapy candles.
- Zinc-core Wicks – are the most commonly used ones. The wick remains steady thanks to the hard core of the wick. They are best for medium-sized container candles.
- HTP Wicks – are coreless, braided cotton wicks. They are great for less mushrooming and soot production. These are an excellent choice for both soy and paraffin wax candles.
- CD Wicks – are a favorite among avid candle makers. The base makes the burning consistent and smooth no matter which wax you prefer. It is a perfect wick for medium height pillar candles.
- ECO Series Wicks – are designed specifically for natural wax candles. These burn with lower soot and smoke than the paper-core ones due to their unique braiding. These are good choices for both pillar and container candles.
Scented Candle Making Ingredients and Recipes
If you want to learn DIY candle making for beginners, you should follow our DIY Candle Making: Make Your Candles at Home with 10 Easy Steps blog now!
If you are following our DIY candle making guide and want to create some amazing scented candles, you are in the right place! Using VINEVIDA Essential Oils, you can create an endless array of naturally scented candles. Follow our recipes and make an aromatherapy candle perfect for every mood!
Essential Oils for Relaxation and Stress-relief
Essential Oils for Rejuvenating Energy
Scented Essential Oil Candle Making Ingredients
For making perfectly scented candles, it is necessary to know which proportions to use.
- Molten Wax – 4 Ounces or ½ pound
- Wax wicks
- Container or molds
- Essential Oils – 15-20 drops per 4-ounce candles. 1-ounce of essential oil per 8-ounce candle is ideal.
DIY Scented Candle Recipes
Do you want to make some amazing scented candles but don’t know which combinations work the best? VINEVIDA is here to help you with a few recommendations that will help calm your mind and get you feeling relaxed!
Here are some of our favorite scented candle recipes.
- Mix 7-8 drops of Lavender Essential Oil and 7-8 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
- 15 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil and 10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil
- Mix 10 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil and 10 drops of Spearmint Essential Oil.
- Create a blend of 10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil, 7-8 drops of Chamomile Essential Oil, and 5 drops of Ylang-ylang Essential Oil
- 7-8 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil mixed with 7-8 drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil and 7-8 drops Eucalyptus Oil.
- 15 drops of Vanilla mixed with 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- Mix 7-8 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil, 7-8 drops of Lemon Essential Oil, and 7-8 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil.
We hope that our comprehensive Candle Making Ingredients list is useful to you in making the most fantastic DIY scented candles of your life! For other, similar articles, visit VINEVIDA.
