How to Make Eco-Conscious Candles at Home

"Green" and "eco-friendly" products are found on grocery store shelves across the United States, many with a hefty price tag. This includes store bought eco-conscious candles that are constructed from natural and recycled products. Save your money and the environment by constructing an eco-conscious candle from soy wax, which is derived from hydrogenated soy bean oil and other products that won't harm Mother Earth.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 lb. soy wax flakes or block
• Ceramic or glass bowl
• Cheese grater
• Large saucepan
• Candy or meat thermometer
• Kitchen towel
• Oven mitts
• 1/2 oz. essential oil
• Wooden spoon
• 100 percent recycled glass jar
• 100 percent organic cotton wick
• Sharp scissors

Instructions

1. Pour 1/2 lb. soy wax flakes into a ceramic or glass bowl. If soy wax flakes aren't available, run a block of soy wax across a cheese grater to create flakes.

2. Fill a large saucepan half full of water. Lower the bowl into the water to create a double boiler.

3. Melt the wax over medium heat, stirring often. Continue to heat the wax until it's completely melted and reaches a temperature of 185 F on a candy or meat thermometer.

4. Slip on a pair of oven mitts or grab the bowl with kitchen towels, remove the bowl from the heat and set it on a kitchen towel.

5. Add 1/2 oz. essential oil to the hot wax. Stir the wax with a wooden spoon until the essential oil is well incorporated.

6. Allow the wax to cool to 125 F and pour it into a glass jar manufactured from 100 percent recycled materials. Read the jar's label to ensure that it's constructed from this environmentally friendly material.

7. Insert a 100 percent organic cotton wick into the center of the warm wax. Continue to push the wick until it reaches the bottom of the jar.

8. Allow the candle to harden at least 12 hours, or overnight. Keep an eye on the candle and if the wick begins to migrate away from the center, move it back with your fingers.

9. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch with sharp scissors.

References

• Soya: Soy Candle Making
• Candle Science: How to Make a Soy Candle
• Candle Wic; Green Candle Making; May 2008