How to Make Tea Light Candles
Tea light candles are small, disclike candles that fit into shallow aluminum cups. They are known for keeping food and teapots warm, but they also have other uses, such as heating scented oil or creating a relaxing atmosphere. With the right materials, making your own tea light candles is an inexpensive and easy process.
Things You'll Need
- Wax Aromatic oils (optional, for scented candles) Empty tea light aluminum cups Candlewicks and wick tabs (if not attached to the wicks) Cardboard or other protective work surface Microwaveable container Heat source
Instructions
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1
Decide on the purpose of your tea lights. For food warming, choose unscented wax. For scenting, choose either colored, beeswax or plain white wax plus the aromatic oils of your choice.
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2
Purchase candle-making materials at a crafts store. Wax beads or wax flakes work well for candle making, because you can pour the exact amount you will need. Buy candlewicks, wick tabs and aluminum tea light holders. If your craft store does not carry tea light holders, purchase them online. Another option is to buy a box of tea light candles (which are inexpensive and sold at most grocery stores) and reuse the aluminum cups they came in for your project.
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3
Create a workspace by laying out a large sheet of cardboard, or other material that won't leak onto your work surface. Or, lay a sheet of plastic under newspaper. Wax is hard to remove once it hardens.
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Set out the aluminum cups. Cut the wicks so they are slightly longer than the height of the cup, and attach them to wick tabs. If you have purchased wicks with tabs attached, place the wick with its attached tab into the cup. You can secure wicks and tabs to the bottom of the cup with hot glue or melted wax to keep them from shifting when you pour in the wax.
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Melt the wax in a microwaveable container. Pour the wax into the aluminum cups, and allow the wax to cool fully before using.
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Tips & Warnings
Tea lights should not be placed too close to whatever material they are warming. Also, aluminum cups can become extremely hot to the touch. Tea light candle flames should be blown out and cups allowed to cool before handling.
