How to Make Homemade Clean-Burning Candles

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Pint mason jar

  • Cotton wick

  • Double boiler

  • 1 lb. soy wax

  • Wooden spoon

  • 1 oz, fragrant oil

  • Five drops dye

Soy wax is clean-burning wax that holds fragrances well.

Clean-burning candles have been developed to produce less soot, so you can burn them longer without making the walls of your home dingy. You can use soy wax to make a homemade version of a clean-burning candle. This type of wax produces less soot, is inexpensive and cleans up with soap and water. Soy wax also burns slower, allowing your candle to last longer. The natural oils in soy wax tend to blend well with with fragrant oils. Not only will your candle be clean-burning, but it will hold fragrance well.

Advertisement

Step 1

Place a pint sized mason jar on a flat, heat resistant surface. Cut a 10-inch length of cotton wick. Wrap one end two to three times around the middle of a pencil. Lay the pencil horizontally across the lip of the jar with the wick hanging inside. Adjust the wick on the pencil until it is positioned in the center of the jar and its end is touching the bottom.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Place a double boiler on medium heat on a stove top. Add 1 lb. of soy wax chips. As the wax begins to melt, stir it with a wooden spoon. Do not turn the heat up to encourage faster melting, as this could scorch the wax. Once the wax is completely melted, remove the double boiler from the heat.

Advertisement

Step 3

Add 1 oz. fragrant oil and five drops of dye to the melted wax while stirring with the wooden spoon. You may add more dye if you desire a darker shade.

Step 4

Pour the candle wax into the mason jar over the pencil. Do this slowly and carefully so as not to spill hot wax. Fill the jar to 1/2 inch below the rings. Let the wax sit for 24 hours to dry.

Step 5

Trim the wick to 1/2 inch above the wax's surface. Burn your candle for at least an hour the first time you light it.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

references