by Jane |
Last Updated: March 10, 2019 When you buy something using the links on our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
You most likely know by now that a lot of commercially sold candles can be unsafe.
Most candles are made of paraffin wax. Paraffin is a waste product of petroleum. When burnt, paraffin wax releases highly toxic substances like benzene and toluene. They are carcinogenic and are the same chemicals found in diesel fuel fumes.
Apart from the wax, some candles also have heavy metals in their wicks despite the Consumer Product Safety Commission banning lead-cored wicks in 2013 for being a health hazard.
Lastly, regular candles also often use synthetic fragrances for stronger scents, and contaminated oils. It’s a quadruple whammy of things you don’t want around your children, your family, and your pets.
Personally, going into the candle section of shops or an enclosed place where candles are burning always gave me dizzy spells or worse, triggered my asthma. If you’re the same, now you know why.
Materials
To make natural candles, all we need is to take away all the bad stuff. Below is a list of safe ingredients for your candles.
- Beeswax pellets
- Cotton candle wicks
- Essential oil (EO) of your choice
- Glass jar
- Double sided tape (optional)
- A pair of chopsticks or a pencil (to hold the wick in place)
How To Make Beeswax Candles
- In a double boiler, melt your beeswax pellets. Make sure you are melting it gradually so you don’t burn your wax.
- Add your essential oil to the beeswax and stir. You can try 1 ml (or 25 drops) of EO for every ounce of beeswax, and then adjust later on according to your personal preference.
- Prepare your container and make sure you have wiped it clean and dry. Using double sided tape, affix the wick to the bottom of your jar.
- Keep the cotton wick straight and center by squeezing it in between a pair of chopsticks. Alternatively, you can tape the wick lightly to a pencil placed on top of your jar.
- When your melted beeswax is ready, pour it carefully into your container. Avoid touching the sides for a clean look.
- Once your beeswax candle cools down, the wax will harden. Trim the wick and you’re done!
Video Tutorial
Watch how it’s done with Aromahead Institute’s awesome video.
Pro Tips
- If think this is something you will do regularly, set aside some utensils specifically for your candle-making. It can get pretty messy and you wouldn’t want to use the same tools for your food.
For a makeshift double boiler, place a stainless steel bowl or a heavy glass bowl on top of a sauce pan or pot. Use potholders to avoid accidental burns.- Unrefined beeswax pellets have a subtle honey smell. If you want to retain this scent, use less essential oil.
- Commercial candles usually have strong synthetic scents. If you prefer strong fragrances, use scents like patchouli or vetiver. If you like milder scents, use citrus.
- In choosing what essential oil to use, it is good to know what the flash point of your EO is. For example, vetiver and patchouli are great choices because their flash points are above 200F. An EO’s flash point is the temperature at which it will evaporate (and render your recipe ineffective).
- When pouring the melted beeswax into the glass container, I put the wick to the side first. When I’m all done, I place it back in the middle.
- You can use a funnel to pour the hot wax into your jar but if you do, you should just use it for this purpose only and not for other things like food.
- Always trim your beeswax candles to avoid soot (carbon) which is bad for the body.
- If you have the wrong wick size, your candle will be sooty. The size of your wick will depend on your container size, the type of wax used, etc. I recommend trying different wick sizes in the beginning and then choosing the one that works best for the container you used for future projects.
For a makeshift double boiler, place a stainless steel bowl or a heavy glass bowl on top of a sauce pan or pot. Use potholders to avoid accidental burns.Where To Buy Candle Making Supplies
Whenever I write DIY articles, I always get asked where to get the materials from. Here’s a list for those who need it:
Beeswax pellets
You can buy these from Aromatics International. If you prefer to buy from Amazon though, try Your Natural Planet. These are very popular and are of good quality, too.
- Same great quality-new packaging. Your Natural Planet now Beesworks.
- Highest quality cosmetic grade beeswax.
- Excellent product for cheese waxing. A great lubricant for coating wood, screws, and nails.
Last update on 2023-04-01 at 12:31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Cotton Wicks
The candle wicks you choose should be zinc and lead-free. The most common safe alternative is a cotton wick.
- 60 Pcs pre-wax and tabbed candle wicks , wick lenght:8 inch.base dia:12.5mm
- Candle wicks made of 100% cotton, contains no lead, zinc or other metals
- 60 Pcs Candle wick stickers made of Heat Resistance Glue keep your wicks in place in hot wax.
Last update on 2023-04-01 at 12:31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Essential Oils
I’m a bit hesitant to recommend essential oil brands because a lot depends on personal preference. You can read our list of the best essential oils, or check out the link below for a vetiver scent. It’s cheaper than other brands, has good ratings, and the brand has other scents available.
No products found.
Conclusion
Now wasn’t that ridiculously easy? It makes me wonder how some candles can be so expensive.
Now that you know how to make organic candles on your own, you can start experimenting with different scents and containers till you find your favorite combinations.
I like lighting a candle after cooking Korean food or when our rooms start to smell too much like an animal shelter. DIY candles are also a great gift idea. They’re cheap, easy to make, and my friends love the homemade candles I give them because I customize them to reflect special occasions or my friends’ personalities.
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Author: Jane Neu
Jane is the creator of Complete Home Spa – “It’s a good idea,” she said. But even she has been taken aback by its success. She lives with a cranky Englishman in a quiet countryside retreat. And in the past year, has become mom cat to a spunky rescue named Mina. Connect with her on Twitter @completehomespa.