How to Make Coffee Scented Candles

Use containers that suit your decor for an interesting accent.

Candles are popular accents for decorating, but serve a purpose in deodorizing homes as well. Coffee is a particularly good scent for deodorizing. Many perfume and soap companies have coffee beans in small containers for customers to sniff between smelling products, because the scent of coffee clears other scents so well. Coffee scented candles can be used to remove kitchen odors, create ambiance while entertaining, or can be used as gifts for friends and family.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Double boiler
• Stove
• Soy or paraffin wax
• Small mason jars, coffee mugs, or tea cups
• Cotton wicks
• Pencils
• Candy thermometer
• Metal spoon
• Candle-safe coffee scented fragrance oil
• Pyrex measuring cup

Instructions

1. Fill the bottom portion of the double boiler with water. Place the pan on medium heat, add the top portion of the pan, and place enough wax to fill your containers in the top portion of the pan.

2. Place your wicks into your containers. Tie the tops of the wicks onto a pencil, and place the pencil on top of the container. This keeps the wick centered when the wax is added.

3. Melt down the wax slowly, checking the temperature often with the candy thermometer. When the temperature reaches 160 F, remove the wax from the heat.

4. Slowly stir the wax until the temperature cools to between 115 F and 120 F. Add the coffee-scented fragrance oil in the amount indicated by the manufacturer for the type and amount of wax you are using. Coffee-scented fragrance oil is very strong, be sure not to add more than the manufacturer recommends.

5. Continue to slowly stir the mixture until it reaches 110 F. Transfer the wax to the Pyrex measuring cup for easier pouring.

6. Fill the prepared containers with wax, pouring slowly and steadily to avoid bubbles. As you reach the top of the container, slow your pouring to ensure a smooth and even top.

7. Allow the candles to cool undisturbed for 24 hours. Trim the wicks.

Tips & Warnings

• Add candle-safe dye to your wax a few drops at a time before adding fragrance oil, if desired.

• Add a lid with a personalized label to Mason Jars, then tie with a ribbon for gifts.

• Create a coffee bean candle holder by mixing coffee beans with clear drying glue and pouring into a mold that is larger than your candle container. Sour cream and large yogurt containers work well with small glass votive jars. Insert the glass mold into the coffee bean and glue mixture, then let dry. Cut away the mold when completely dry.

• Do not let the wax drop below 100F when pouring, or wax will become lumpy and uneven.

References

• Apartment Therapy: How to Make Soy Container Candles
• "Mother Earth News": How to Make All Natural Tallow Candles for Christmas
• "Country Living": How to Make a Candle

Resources

• "Mother Earth News": How to Make Money Making Candles