How to Easily Make Your Own Soy Candles

Votive candle made with soybean wax

Soy wax is nontoxic and burns cleaner than paraffin wax. Soy candles also burn slower and cooler than paraffin ones, meaning you'll be able to enjoy your creations longer. The following instructions will teach you how to make a soy candle using an 8-ounce mason jar; however, you can use any mold you like, including other jars or glass containers or votives. Simply keep in mind that 1 pound of soy wax melts into 16 ounces of liquid, and adjust the amount of wax you buy accordingly.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Soy wax
• Fragrance
• Wax dye
• Jars or containers
• Cotton wicks with metal tabs
• Wick placeholders
• Double boiler
• Thermometer

1. Prepare the mold or jar by making sure that it is clean and dry. You can attach the wick by gluing the metal tab into the bottom of the mold, or you can use wick "stickums" that are sold in candle supply or craft stores. Do not worry if your wick is too long for the mold you are using. You will trim it after the candle is set and the wax hardened.

2. Place the desired amount of soy wax in the pot you are using for melting. Craft and candle supply stores sell actual "candle-melting pots," but the task can be accomplished using a pot you already have at home. Just make sure that the pot you are using for melting is large enough to hold the desired amount of wax, yet small enough that it will fit nicely into the larger double boiler pot that will hold the water.

3. Melt the wax in a double boiler over medium heat. You can stir the wax with the thermometer, which makes it easy to see when the wax is heated to the desired temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. When your wax is completely melted and at 160 degrees, it is time to add a fragrance. Remove the melting pot from your heat source first. Place the desired amount of fragrance directly into the wax and stir well. The typical wax-to-fragrance ratio is 1 ounce of fragrance for every 16 ounces of wax.

5. Add color to the wax, stirring regularly, until you have achieved the desired tint. It is best to use liquid color dyes — just a few drops per pound of wax will produce vibrant colors.

6. Pour the wax into the jar. Be careful that you do not pour too much wax into the mold. You should leave at least 1/2 inch from the top of the container.

7. If your wick does not appear to be standing straight, you may want to straighten and hold the wick in place with something such as a clothespin, popsicle stick, pencil or straws. Once the wax hardens a bit, the wick will naturally stay on it's own.

8. Wait at least four to five hours for your candle to properly set. Do not move the candle during this time. Do not try to use artificial cooling methods to speed up this process. It is important for the soy wax candle to cool naturally. Once the candle wax is hardened, trim the wick to 1/4 inch for optimum burning.

Tips & Warnings

• Rather than buying all of your supplies separately, you can purchase candle-making kits that include everything you need. You are even able to choose the color and scent.

References

• "Homesteading"; Abigail R. Gehring