How to Make a Mold for Candles

Candle making is a fun project for people of all ages and the supplies are very inexpensive, particularly if you make your own molds. With just a few recycled items from around the house, you will have a wide array of molds in all different shapes and sizes.

Things You'll Need

• Homemade molds (recycled containers and craft clay, muffin tins, bowls of sand)
• Wicks
• Clear tape or washers
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Save any containers which have solid bottoms to use as your candle molds. Circular potato chip cans, take-out boxes, milk cartons or plastic butter tubs will all work. Just make sure that the inside of the container is clean and dry before using.

2. Make molds from the tubes inside of paper towel or toilet paper roles, toothpaste boxes or other small cardboard containers. Cover any openings with clear tape and then surround the thin cardboard with craft clay to prevent wax from leaking out of the mold. You can then press the clay into a firm surface so that your mold stands upright while pouring and drying your candles.

3. Purchase muffin tins in interesting shapes or simply use an old muffin tray you have at home for making candles. Attach a wick to the bottom of the tin with tape and then lightly oil the tins before you pour the candles. Once the wax is fully dry, the candles should come free with a light tap.

4. Fill a bowl with damp sand and form a candle mold with your finger. You can then pour the wax gently onto the sand and allow it to dry. Your finished candle will have a coating of sand on the outside.

5. Attach your candle wicks to your mold with clear tape whenever possible. You can also tie the wick onto a thin washer to add weight, eliminating the need for tape. Lay a pencil across the top edges of your mold and tie the wick in place so that it does not sink when you pour your candles.