Directions for Making Soy Candles

Make your own soy candles at home with just a few inexpensive items.

Soy candle wax is an alternative to paraffin wax, which contains petroleum. Soy wax candles are more environmentally friendly and they are made from natural soybeans. The wax burns at lower temperatures, releases scents more easily and produces less soot. Soy candles typically last twice as long as paraffin candles. Instead of purchasing candles from the store, you can make your own at home without spending a lot of money.

Things You'll Need

• Double boiler
• 1 pound soy wax
• Hot glue gun
• Tabbed wick
• Mason jar
• Candle thermometer
• Color wax dye
• 1 oz. fragrance oil
• Popsicle sticks

Instructions

1. Set up your double boiler. Fill a large pot with water, and place a smaller pot on top. Add one pound of soy wax to the small saucepan, and turn the heat on the stovetop to medium-high.

2. Prepare your candle container while the wax melts. Apply hot glue to the bottom of a tabbed wick, and center it inside the mason jar. Push down on the tab with the end of pencil to ensure that it adheres well to the glass.

3. Place a candle thermometer in the wax. Melt the wax to a temperature between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the double boiler from the heat source once it reaches this temperature range.

4. Add colored wax dye until you achieve your desired color. Do not use crayons or food coloring to add color to your candles because these can cause flare-ups when you light the candle.

5. Add one oz. of fragrance oil to the wax. Stir the melted wax to mix the fragrance oil. Allow the wax to cool to 125 degrees Fahrenheit before pouring it into the glass container.

6. Heat the glass container in the oven to prevent it from cracking from the heat of the wax. Pour the wax into the mason jar. Keep the wick centered by placing a popsicle stick on each side of the wick.

7. Allow the candle to cool completely. If the wax formed an indentation in the candle, simply melt more wax and pour it on top of the candle to fill in the indentation. This occurs often when you make candles.

8. Trim the wick to a quarter of an inch before burning.

Tips & Warnings

• You can purchase soy candle wax in blocks or in flakes.

• Never leave the melting wax unattended.

References

• Soy Wax Candles: Making Soy Container Candles
• Cajun Candles: How to Make Soy Candles
• Candle Science: How to Make a Soy Candle