How to Make Soy Wax Candles

In today's eco-friendly society, people are constantly searching for ways to make their world more environmentally friendly and soy wax candles have become a popular alternative to paraffin wax candles because they are made from a natural and renewable energy resource. Soy wax is made from soy bean oil and comes with several advantages, including the fact that it requires less heat to burn because its melts at a lower temperature. Soy wax is much softer than paraffin wax, so it is most commonly used in creating container candles. If this is your first time using soy wax to make candles, you should not attempt to make pillar or any free-standing candles with molds. On the flip side, soy candles are the easiest of the various types of candles you can make at home, so they’re a great way to get your feet wet in the candle craft.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 lb. Soy wax (flakes or blocks)
• 1 oz. Fragrance oil
• Wax dye (liquid or dye chips)
• Candle wicks (preferably pre-tabbed)
• Double boiler pan
• Popsicle sticks
• Large metal spoon
• Decorative glass containers (various sizes that hold the equivalent of 1 lb. or 16 oz.)

1. Prepare your wax. If you’re using a wax block, you’ll want to chop the block into smaller pieces before placing it into the double boiler pan.

2. Place your soy wax block pieces or flakes into a double boiler and slowly melt over low heat until the wax is a smooth liquid mixture.

3. Make sure that your candle jars are clean and dry. Place the tab of the wick into the melting wax and stick it to the center bottom of the candle jar. Hold it in place until the wax dries. Wrap the top of the wick around a popsicle stick and place the popsicle stick perpendicular across the mouth of the candle jar. This will keep the wick straight and taut when you pour in the hot wax. Set the prepared jars aside.

4. Return to your melting wax. If the mixture is free of wax chips and has become a smooth liquid, you may remove it from the heat. Immediately add your wax die and stir until the color is evenly combined. If you’re using dye chips, you may need to return the wax to the heat in order to fully melt it. Soy wax will dry to a shade lighter than it is wet, so take that into account when using your dye.

5. Add your fragrance just before you are ready to pour the wax into the jars, as fragrance tends to disperse very quickly. Stir the fragrance in quickly.

6. Pour wax carefully into the wick-prepared jars. Leave about an inch of room between the wax and the top mouth of the jar and be careful not to get wax on the tip of the wick.

7. Set the prepared candles into a cool dry place and let them set for 24 hours. After 24 hours, trim the wicks to about 1-inch long, burn and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Soy wax melts faster than other wax candles, so watch it carefully.
• Do not pour leftover wax down the drain as it can clog pipes.