Making candles is one of the easiest DIY projects there is, especially if you have supplies and equipment at home. All you need to make a candle is some wax, a wick, paraffin and an electric drill. These simple tools and ingredients can take you from start to finish in no time. Although making a candle may seem intimidating, once you learn how it’s really not that difficult at all. However, the more complicated aspects of candle making are the actual design part. When designing your own candles, it’s best to keep things simple and generic to ensure that there aren’t any copyright issues with your finished product. Here are a few tips on how to make a candle:

Step One: Collect Your Supplies

The first thing you will need for making a candle is wax. There are a few wax formulas that work best for candle making, but for this tutorial, we will be using soy wax. Soy wax is a renewable product that is biodegradable and sustainable. It’s also completely vegan, so it’s safe for those with allergies. The next ingredient you will need for making a candle is fragrance. Fragrance oils are the essential oils that will help give your candles their scent. It’s a great idea to keep a scent in mind when choosing the formula for your candles. If you’re making a birthday candle, it wouldn’t be a great idea to use vanilla as the scent. Next, you will need a wick. The wick will be the part of your candle that burns.

Step Two: Melt Wax

Now that your ingredients are collected, it’s time to melt the wax! Wax comes in a liquid form and needs to be heated to a certain temperature in order to become liquid. Since soy wax has a melting point of 185 degrees Fahrenheit, it needs to be heated to that temperature in order for it to be liquid. The best way to do this is using an electric hot plate or stove. If you don’t have access to one of these tools, you can also quickly heat the wax in the microwave. Next, pour the wax into any container you would like. If you would like to store the wax until you are ready to use it, make sure you store it in an airtight container.

Step Three: Measure and Cut Wick

Now that the wax is melted, it’s time to add the scent! The scent is what will give your candles their smell. It’s important to use only essential oils that are natural and safe for human consumption. There are many essential oils online that can be used for making candles. You can also purchase a candle making kit that comes with a scent. Next, you will need to cut the wick. For this purpose, you can use a pair of scissors. Depending on the wick width you would like your candle to have, you can cut the wick to any length. Of course, for safety purposes, you don’t want the candle to be burning for too long. For this tutorial, we will be using a 1/4-inch wick. If you would like to use a wider wick, you can always cut it down to 1/2-inch width.

Step Four: Add Fragrance and Color

It’s time to add your scent and coloring! The scent is what will give your candle its smell and it should be added to the melted wax in a fragrance oil. Fragrance oils, also called essential oils, are plant extracts that give your candles their scent. The scent should be added to the melted wax in an eyedropper. When adding coloring to your candles, it’s best to use soy wax colorants (also known as dyes). Soy wax colorants produce a natural color and are edible. Soy wax colorants are the best type of color to use because they do not leave a stain on surfaces or in your carpeting. Soy wax colorants should be added directly to the melted wax. The wax should be about the same temperature as when it was melted for the fragrance oil.

Step Five: Flash Dry the Wick

Once your scent and coloring are added, it’s time for flash drying! This is where you will be heating the wick to help dry it out. This process should only take a few seconds and will not affect the scent in any way. If the wick is too wet, the flame will go out and you will need to start over. Once the wick is flash dried, it should look like this: This step is important because it will help the flame burn longer. If the wick is too dry, it will burn too fast and quickly go out. When the flame is flash dried, it should look like this:

Step Six: Burn your Candle!

Now that your candle is complete, it’s time to burn it! For this process, it’s best to use a candle warmer. If you don’t have access to one, you can always use an electric stove. Depending on the wick size and temperature of the wax, the candle may take a few minutes to burn. Keep in mind that the wax should never be hot enough to burn your skin or furniture. Once your candle is ready to burn, put a few drops of wax on the wick, place the wick on the wick holder, and light the wick. Depending on the size of your flame, the candle may burn for a few hours or until the wick burns through.

Conclusion

Making candles doesn’t have to be complicated, especially if you start with the basics. This article will guide you through the process of making a basic candle, from melting the wax to adding the scent and coloring. Once you have your supplies gathered, you can follow these steps to make your own homemade candle.