Lighting Up Dark Nights- How to Make Homemade Candles
By - Emma Rauschert
Winter is just around the corner, and with the arrival of daylight saving time, you may feel like hibernating. Homemade candles are a great cozy craft to do when the days get shorter and the nights get colder. Knowing how to make candles from natural ingredients is essential to the homestead life. Whether you make candles to save for power outage emergencies, give away as homemade gifts, or decorate a Thanksgiving table, candles always come in handy. Candles are easier to make than you think. Many store-bought candles contain paraffins or synthetic fragrances that can release toxic chemicals into the air, such as phthalates and volatile organic compounds (VOCS). When making homemade candles, you can decide what goes in your product.
There are several different kinds of wax to choose from for the base of the candle. My two favorite choices are beeswax and soy wax.
Beeswax is 100% natural and has the longest burn time. Beeswax is best used to make rolled tapers or molded pillars. Beeswax candles may be more expensive, but they naturally purify the air.
Soy wax is made from soybeans. Soy wax melts easily, has a smooth finish, and releases scents better than beeswax. Soy wax is best used for container candles.
Tip: You can mix soy and beeswax to create a long-lasting candle with a strong scent.
How to Make Homemade Candles:
Materials:
Wax: either beeswax or soy wax
Wicks: cotton, hemp, or wooden, and the right size for your container
Glue
Popsicle sticks
Double boiler
Heat-safe spoon, such as a wooden spoon
Thermometer
Heat-safe jars or molds
Essential oils scents (Optional)
Step 1: Prepare the molds or jars. Glue the wick to the bottom of the jar or mold. Wrap the top of the wick around a popsicle stick and set it on the jar’s opening. This holds the wick in place while the wax hardens.
Step 2: Melt the wax. Using a double boiler (not direct heat, as this can burn the wax), slowly melt the wax, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Soy wax should be melted to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and beeswax to 155 degrees.
Step 3: Add essential oils. After the wax has melted, add the essential oils- one ounce of essential oils to one pound of wax. Stir in the essential oils.
Step 4: Pour the wax into your containers, leaving an inch of space at the top. Soy wax should be poured at 130-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Beeswax should be poured out at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the candle cool and harden in the jar undisturbed.
Step 5: Let the candles harden for 24 hours. Trim the wick to a fourth of an inch above the wax.
And there you have it! Homemade candles to keep your house cozy all winter long.
Notes:
Do not use a regular pot to melt your wax; double boilers are designed to keep direct heat from burning the wax.
Keep an eye on your temperature. If you overcook the wax, it can ignite.
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Cleaning up melted wax can be a mess for beginners. Clean up wax with a paper towel before it hardens, and then wash any residue with hot, soapy water.
To create candles with fun colors, add mica powder when adding essential oils.
When it comes to scenting your candles with essential oils, here are some of my favorite blends:
Lavender and vanilla
Pine and cedarwood
Sweet orange, lemon, and grapefruit
Cinnamon bark, clove, and nutmeg
Troubleshooting:
Uneven tops: You may have poured the wax too quickly. Make sure the temperature is right when pouring into the mold.
Sinking Centers: The wax cooled too quickly. Pour the wax at a slightly higher temperature next time.
Weak Scent: Try using higher-quality essential oils, or waiting for the wax to cool slightly longer to avoid the essential oils evaporating.
There you have it. You have created your own light source. Let each candle you make by hand remind you of slowing down, working with natural materials, and finding beauty in simplicity. Whether you light them for dinner, relaxation, or to watch the shadows dance, you carry on a timeless tradition of making your own warmth and light. Now kick up your feet and read a book by candlelight.