by Jane |
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Do you want to learn how to make soy candles for your home?
We don’t blame you. Over the recent years, it was discovered that paraffin wax candles — candles we’ve been using forever because we thought they purified the air in our homes — are actually health hazards.
Are Paraffin Candles Bad?
Paraffin candles are made of paraffin, a byproduct of petroleum. Remember how those candles smell so good? Synthetic fragrances are used which unfortunately have hormone-disrupting phthalates. Even the wicks are problematic as they were found with lead cores. As a result, something as simple as burning a candle releases carcinogens and neurotoxins into your home and inhaled by your loved ones. This has been confirmed in a report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
And all you ever wanted when you lit that nice lavender candle from the candle store was some relaxation and de-stressing.
Thankfully, we don’t have to give up the soothing benefits of candles. All you need to do is to switch to beeswax candles or soy candles.
Today, let’s talk about soy candles.
Soy Candles vs Paraffin Candles
Beeswax candles are a safe alternative to paraffin candles, but soy candles have their own charm.
- Soy wax, when made with non-GMO’d soy, is a clean source because they’re coming from plants.
- Soy wax burns more slowly and evenly than other types of wax. Because they last longer than other candles, you save money.
- Burning a soy candle produces much less soot and smoke.
- Spills can be easily cleaned up with soap and warm water. There is no oily residue unlike paraffin wax.
- It can be mixed with beeswax to create interesting blends.
Now it’s time to learn how to make soy candles on your own. It’s easy once you try it out yourself.
How To Make Soy Candles
With Essential Oils
Materials
Because you are making these yourself, you can ensure that only good stuff will go in your candles.
- Soy wax flakes
- Essential oils (EO)
- Cotton candle wicks
- Glass jar containers
- Double boiler
- Thermometer (optional)
- A pair of chopsticks (or a pencil or a clothespin)
- Double-sided tape (optional)
Procedure
- Melt the soy wax flakes in your double boiler. Remember that solid wax melts down to half its volume. So, 8 ounces of wax will melt down to 4 ounces.
- Add your essential oil to your melted wax. You can try 1 ml (or 25 drops) of EO for every ounce of wax, and then adjust later on if you want stronger or weaker. In the following video, Soohee uses 1 tbsp essential oil mix for every 8 ounce candle.
- Get your glass jar ready and affix the base of the wick to the bottom of the jar. You can use double sided tape on the metal base of the wick, or you can use some melted wax to make it stick to the bottom of the jar.
- Once securely fastened, keep the wick straight with what you have on hand: a pair of chopsticks, a pencil and some sticky tape, or even a clothespin.
- When your soy wax has completely melted, pour it into your jars.
- Once your candle cools down and hardens, trim the wick and you’re done!
Now, there are some VERY IMPORTANT tips that I didn’t add in the above procedures to keep the steps clear. Be sure to watch the video tutorial below and the pro-tips so you can avoid the usual beginner candle-making mistakes.
Video Tutorial
Here is an amazingly detailed tutorial that outlines the above process.
Avoid beginner mistakes with these pro-tips:
- If you are using a thermometer, you can lower the heat on your stove when your wax reaches at least 180 degrees. If you are not, simply remove from heat as soon as all the wax is melted. Avoid burning your wax or getting the temperature unnecessarily too high because of the next tip.
- Avoid mixing in your essential oils at a temperature higher than their flash points. Flash point is the temperature at which an essential oil burns off, thus rendering it useless for your recipe. So, choose your essential oils not just for their scents but also for their flash points. You can check for this info HERE. For example, patchouli is at a high 212F, but rosemary is at a lower 105F.
- Always use a double boiler when you melt wax. Wax can catch fire at 390F, but boiling with water ensures that you cannot exceed 212F, a safe enough temperature that will not deteriorate your wax. You can do a makeshift double boiler simply by placing a stainless steel bowl or a heavy glass bowl over a pot filled with water.
- A properly wicked candle will have a right-sized flame that does not flicker. The melt pool will be all around the candle and half an inch deep. You will know you have the wrong wick size if your candle burns down the middle and eventually extinguishes itself. There’s a whole science involved in choosing the right wick size like type of wax, the size of your jar, and so on. To simplify, try 3 wick sizes and see which works best.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with mixtures of essential oils. Part of the fun is finding a mix that is heavenly to your nose.
Where to Buy Candle-Making Supplies
If you have an eco-friendly craft store, get your materials from there. However, if you prefer to order online, here are some excellent options:
Soy wax
This is Amazon’s Choice for non GMO soy wax. It is natural and scentless, and the melting point is at 121 to 125 degrees.
Last update on 2023-04-01 at 10:22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Cotton wicks
These wicks from Candle Science are made with cotton and paper threads. They work well with soy wax.
- Our wick is constructed from natural, flat, cotton threads interwoven with paper threads and contains no lead, zinc or other metals.
- Use these wick with any of our candle tins, canning jars and mason jars
- All Candlesience Candle Wick comes coated in all natural wax and is 6 inches long
Last update on 2023-04-01 at 17:42 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Essential oils
If you like strong scents, use a mix of patchouli and vetiver. If you want milder fragrances, try citrus or lavender. Here is a link to a lavender EO. Lavender has a flash point of 162F. If the bottle looks familiar, it’s because it’s the same brand used in the video.
- THE BEST SMELLING & EFFECTIVE LAVENDER OIL - 100% natural, vegan, and cruelty free. Treat yourself to a large 4 oz bottle of quality...
- PREMIUM QUALITY GLASS DROPPER - Comes packaged with a dropper for ease of use.
- MULTIPURPOSE DIY - Great for aromatherapy, massage, skincare, diffusers, homemade blends, bath bombs, laundry, sprays, and use in homes,...
Last update on 2023-04-01 at 10:22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / More info
Summing Up
Just in case the tips and reminders made it sound complicated, don’t forget that making candles is supposed to be a fun activity that you should enjoy. It’s actually very easy once you try it out yourself.
And don’t forget the joy in experimenting. Experiment with cute jars and bottles. Experiment with scents. You can even experiment adding in colors using safe alternatives like herb infusions. More on this on my next post, beauties. Till the next time!
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.