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Finding time for yourself is indeed difficult. But, once you get the hang of some free time, you juggle back and forth to the fridge day or practice the TikTok dance routine. However, if you have a pool of free time and do something productive, we have got a project for you.
I don’t enjoy scented candles, said nobody ever. DIY scented candles may not be on your bucket list, but there is nothing better than trying a new skill. Life is stressful due to the pandemic; negative thoughts are taking over, maintaining sanity by learning how to make a scented candle. Also, making your scented candle is a lot better for your wallet as well. Take the lighter out, and let’s get started.
Everything you need to make a scented candle:
Everything you need to make a scented soy candle must be readily available. The material used is not difficult to get; you might have some stuff present at your home.
Wax:
The success of a scented candle depends upon the wax. You need to understand that there are different types of soy wax used to make a candle. Paraffin wax is used in most candles.
There are some other types including soy wax, coconut wax, and combination wax. I recommend you stick with the neutral, plant-based wax. Natural soy wax is long lasting and burns clean.
Wick:
A stable wick produces a steady flame, and the goal is to get a good flame without excessive smoke. Moreover, we do not want a wick that builds up a lot of carbon.
You will learn after trials and errors. Helping you out, get lead-free cotton core wicks; they are the best and perform incredibly with the wax blends. The size of the wick does not matter. But, the larger, the better; trimming the wick is also essential.
Scent:
There is no point in making a scented candle if there is no aroma. You need to choose a scent; fruity, musky, spicy, floral, spring, autumn, seasonal, vanilla, eucalyptus, lavender, etc. A lot of people love the smell of clean sheets; hence, the combination of scents. You have the power to create your vibe and aroma.
Test the scents with each new candle you make. Buy a couple of essential oils or pre-made scents. Not to mention, essential oils are less fragrant when used in candles).get a pre-made fragrance.
Candle Tip: Do not keep high expectations with the scent. You will learn after a couple of trials. Do not follow the misconception—the more fragrance you add, the more powerful your candle will smell. The fragrance load depends upon the wax type. If you go over the load, then your candle will have poor burning features.
Container:
Finding and making a combination of scents demands a lot of attention, but you must give equal attention while deciding on the type of container. Ensure that your candle is Instagram-worthy but getting an aesthetically pleasing container.
The majority of the candle brands use glass, ceramic, or marble vessels. Take inspiration from your favorite brand. The best and easy way is to reuse a candle jar that you have at home. Make sure to clean it and remove the wick residue as well properly.
How to Make Scented Candles?
To start the process, you will need a few supplies. Once you get the hang of it, you can make inexpensive candles at home.
Supplies:
- Wax
- Wicks
- Scents
- Kitchen thermometer
- Saucepan
- Container
- Heat-resistant bowl or glass
- Hot plate
- Chopsticks
- Mixing glue
Step 1: Prepare the area with the necessary supplies. Take the wax out and fill your container with the wax flakes (it will explain how much wax is required). If you have purchased a wax in slab form, use a knife to create flakes. Pour the flakes into the heat-proof glass.
Step 2: Add wick in your container and dab some glue to the bottom of the wick’s metal plate. Place a pair of chopsticks on the lid to keep the wick in one place.
Step 3: Fill your saucepan with water and bring it to a simmer. Place the saucepan on a hot plate and gently place the heat-resistant glass over the saucepan. Stir the wax until fully melted. The temperature of the wax should be around 180-185 Fahrenheit.
Step 4: When the temperature comes down to 160 Fahrenheit, add the scent and mix it with the spoon. Add your scent, and mix it properly.
Candle tip: Suppose if you have 8 ounces of candle wax, add 0.5 ounces of fragrance. (1 ounce of fragrance per 16 ounces of wax). Moreover, wait for the wax to cool, pouring the scent at the wrong time creates a big difference. If the wax is too hot, the scent will burn. If the wax is too cold, the fragrance will not bind properly.
Step 5: Once the wall comes down to 135 Fahrenheit, start pouring it into your container. Pour real slowly to avoid air bubbles.
Step 6: Trim the wick; a quarter inch should be left on the top. Let the candle cool at room temperature and wait for at least 24 hours before lighting.
Things to Remember
Cleaning up is easy when the wax is still in liquid form. Use paper towels to wipe the remaining wax from the spoon, thermometer, and inside the pan. Moreover, keep on trimming the wick to a standard length to prevent excessive smoking.
Also, match your burn time and candle size. Excessive burning leads to tunneling (the wax melts only in the center rather than the edges). With some experiments, you will achieve the perfect ideal scented candle. Enjoy the process of learning.
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