How to Make Homemade Scented Candles
A trip to the store will quickly tell you that scented candles are expensive. Making homemade scented candles will not only save you money, it will also allow you to make the candles in your favorite scents. Most of the equipment you will need can be found in your kitchen.
Things You'll Need
- Double boiler pans
- Wicks
- Paraffin wax
- Candle molds
- Toothpicks or chopsticks
- Old baking sheet
- Essential oil (in the scent of your choice)
- Wooden spoon
Instructions
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1
Set up your molds on an old baking sheet. This will protect your countertops from accidental spills of way. Molds do not need to be store bought; you can use any plastic or cardboard containers. Think of using yogurt or pudding cups and paper towel or toilet paper cardboard rolls.
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2
Wrap one end of a wick around a toothpick or chopstick depending on the size of your mold. Cut the other end of the wick to the depth of the mold. Attach a metal wick holder to the bottom of the wick, if desired. Center the wick assembly over the mold.
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3
Add several inches of water to the lower pot of the double boiler. Add one pound of paraffin way to the top pot and warm until melted over medium heat. Stir occasionally with the wooden spoon.
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4
Add approximately ten drops of your choice of essential oil to the melted way. Stir the wax mixture to spread the scent thoroughly.
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5
Slowly pour the wax mixture into the prepared molds. They will begin to set up rapidly as the wax begins to cool. Allow the candles to harden in the molds for at least 24 hours before removing from the molds.
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6
Let the candles cure for at least one week before burning.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Food coloring can be added to the wax at the same time as the essential oil for colored candles.
Large, heavy freezer bags can be used to hold the wax for melting if a double boiler is not available. Break the paraffin into four chunks and put each chunk into a separate bag. Use a stockpot for the water and float the bags in the water until wax is melted.
Wicks, metal wick holders and candle molds can be purchased at any hobby or craft shop and some larger department stores.
Use caution if you are making candles around small children. A single drop of wax can cause a bad burn.
