How to Make Eco-friendly Soy Wax Candles

Make your own soy wax candles as an alternative to paraffin wax candles.

Soy wax candles have several benefits over ones made from paraffin wax. Soy is a renewable resource whereas paraffin is a by-product of petroleum production. Soy candles burn longer and cleaner than paraffin and spilled soy wax is easily removed from fabric with hot sudsy water. There are several companies that sell soy candles, but you can also make your own. The process is similar to making other types of candles.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton wick
• Small fire-proof container or mold
• Paper plate
• Soy wax
• Old pot
• Stove
• Old spoon
• Scented oil (optional)
• Wax dye (optional)
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Insert a wick into your container or mold. The wick needs to go to the bottom of the container. Don't worry about exact placement of the wick yet. Set your container on the paper plate.

2. Melt the wax in the pot. The burner should be at a low setting. Stir often with the spoon. Remove the wax from the heat once it has completely melted.

3. Mix in the fragrance and the wax dye if you are using them. Stir well.

4. Return the pot to the warm burner if the wax starts to solidify. All the wax needs to be liquid to pour it into your mold.

5. Pour the melted wax into your container/mold. Hold the wick as you pour so it doesn't slip into the container.

6. Center the wick within the container. Wrap the excess wick around a pencil and rest the pencil across the top of the container to hold it in place while the wax cools.

7. Trim the wick to half an inch once the wax has cooled completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Soy wax is sold as a block or flaked. The flaked wax is more expensive, but will melt quicker and fit into your pot without cutting.

• The container for your candle can be a purchased mold, Mason jar, tin canister or votive candle holder. It just needs to be fire proof and have a mouth wide enough to light the candle. Soy candles are usually in small tins with lids.

• Larger candles require thicker wicks. Very large candles should have three wicks spaced evenly in the wax.

• One pound of soy wax will require 1 ounce of fragrance.

• You can insert the wick after you pour the wax but be sure the wick goes all the way to the bottom of your container.

• Do not leave children unattended with the hot wax

• Do not leave the wax unattended while it is on the stove.

• Remove the wax from the heat immediately after it has melted or it could flame.

References

• Eco Soy Candle: About
• Soya: Candle Making
• Soy Wax Candles: Putting it together
• Cajun Candles: How to make soy candles