Homemade Candles with Essential Oils

Candles are a joy. It’s become a regular practice of mine to light a candle whenever I’m stressed, needing warmth, wanting a cozy atmosphere, or heck – whenever we cook pungent food. Basically what I’m trying to tell y’all is that I like my candles!

With this, it feels like we can burn through a candle a week. And with the prices of candles today, ($15 to $25+ for one candle!) I started to research candle making techniques. My research didn’t take me all that far because I quickly realized how easy it is to make candles. Why haven’t I been making my own candles for longer!?

Candle making is also a really low investment activity, you don’t need a ton of tools like other crafts and projects. Aside from a pot to melt your wax in – you only need the candle materials themselves. Finding the right wax and scents are important, of course, and I learned through some trial and error that all scents are not created equally. I admittedly went for super cheap scents in my first go around, and the end result was crappy smelling candles.

I learned my lesson, though, and stepped up the quality of oils I used. And this go around I’m thrilled with my vanilla and vanilla + lavender candles. Also, I’m so obsessed with the $3 canisters I found in the Target Dollar Spot, I scooped them up as soon as I spotted them. They look way more expensive than they are, a major upgrade from my typical mason jar candles.

Keep reading for my quick tutorial on making handmade candles.

Materials

Solid wax – I suggest using soy wax, like this product
Essential oils of your choice, I found a set online
Wicks
A pot that you’re okay melting wax in, like this one made for candles
Containers for your candles. I couldn’t find the exact jars I used, but these jars and these jars are good alternatives.

If you’re just getting started, you may want to think about getting a kit, like this one, that contains everything you’ll need. So easy!

Tip! You’re most likely going to need more candle wax than you’d expect. If you’re getting pellets or shredded wax, get more than you think. A one pound bag seems fairly large, but it melts down and is enough for about two candles.

Steps

Set your wax friendly container inside another for a double boil. Once the water is boiling, turn it down a smidge. You want your wax to get warm enough to melt without burning off.
Let your wax completely melt, then add to your essential oils. I found that it takes more oil than you’d think to get a really fragrant candle.
Get your canister ready for pouring. Affix your wick to your canister. The wick I chose came with a sticky adhesive, making it really easy.
Keep your wick upright with a knife, ruler, pencil – whatever you choose that will stay put. You’ll need to wrap the wick around your object then position it in the center of your candle.
Pour your wax into your canister.
Let your candle dry overnight. Let it fully settle so your candle is nice and smooth.