Best Homemade Candle Recipe To Try on Your Own
The candle industry is worth a whopping £1.9 billion per year in the UK.
But perhaps, rather than contribute to that fortune, you're keen on the idea of creating your own candles at home.
Are You Tempted to Try Out a Homemade Candle Recipe?
If the idea for a homemade candle intrigues you, why not give it a whirl with the recipe below?
If you are a first timer and this feels a little overwhelming, we have the perfect kit for you. Our Soy Candle Making Kits come with everything you need to create two stunning homemade candles.
The process is simple, fun and makes a wonderful gift for your loved ones. And it's even more special because you created it yourself!
Take a picture of the candles you've created using our Candle Making Kits and show off your new skills by posting on social media. We'd love to see them so be sure to tag it with @northumbriancandleworks
If you'd like to take on the challenge all on your own, read on to see our homemade candle recipe...
Make Homemade Candles
This DIY candle-making method is basic and easy:
- Boil a pot of water, and place a heat proof bowl on the pot to create a ‘bain-marie’. Add soy wax flakes into the bowl, stirring every so often until they liquefy.
- Take your candle wick, dip the metal end into the melted wax mixture and put it into the desired container. This fixes it in place so it sits in the centre firmly at the base.
- Take the end of the wick that you will light and make sure it sits vertically in the centre of the container. To keep the wick in place, it’s a good idea to sit the top of it between two cocktail sticks placed across the diameter of the container.
- Cover your surface with an old towel or paper towels to prevent any hot wax coming into contact with your table.
- Pour the liquid soy wax into the container to the desired height. Be careful when you pour this as the temperature of the wax will be hot.
- Choose your pure fragrances or essential oils. This doesn't have to be just one! There are many to choose from including cherry blossom, lavender, lilac, cotton tree, peppermint and cucumber.
- Now add your chosen scent or scents to the mixture, using around 15 drops of each. Be selective, to help not create an overwhelming or overpowering candle.
- Use a thin implement to stir the scent into the liquid wax. A chopstick or skewer is ideal for this bit.
- Allow the candle to sit and set while the wax cools. This will take around 24 hours to set properly. Wrap your candles in cloths to ensure no cracking takes place.
- Snip the top of the wick. And voila, your candles are ready.
Dying Wax
Use the method above for preparing your hot wax, but this time add dye to the mixture.
You can use soy wax here, but paraffin wax is also good wax for dying. Steer clear of beeswax, which can be tricky to dye and scent at home.
One way to colour wax is to use small-block dyes for a rich, intense colour. If your candle is small use chips and flakes, which are smaller forms of block dye and can be more effective. Chips are better for lighter pastel shades, while flakes are better for deeper colours.
You can also use special liquid dye, which is perfect if you want to design your own shade of colour.
Other options include pigments and powders for dying.
Choosing your Candle Container and Scents
Spring Scents Gift
Spring is a time of year to light candles and fill your home with aromas of blossom and fresh linen. So why not create your own candle using soy wax and floral notes adding to your fresh home decor.
Add an extra dash of uniqueness to your springtime creation by using an old china teacup for the container rather than a typical glass jar. You can reuse these candle containers time after time.
Find a cup that's suited to the season. Something classic and floral perhaps. You want to use a neutral wax for this candle so that you can be as creative as you like with the teacup it will live in.
Classic Glass
While teacups are a ‘niche’ choice, you can't go wrong with a mason glass jar for a homemade candle.
Use a mason jar for the container - or save an old jam jar to be super-economical. Perhaps even purchase a water glass, opting for something a little obscure to really stand out. As these containers are clear, this is an opportunity to play around with colour as well as scent.
For example, perhaps you'd like to create a nautical-themed candle. In which case, colours like blue, sea-green, or pebble grey might work here.
To add to the ocean theme, add notes of the sea to your wax. To create a beachy scent, try salt, lime, geranium, vetiver, ylang-ylang, cedarwood, and eucalyptus essential oils or fragrances. Again, not all together, just two or three.
Finish this off by adding maritime accents to the jar for a burst of personality. Tie a piece of string around the mason jar candle glass, either a chunky frayed piece or a lighter snippet. Or, wrap the whole jar in fish netting.
For a truly nautical style, add a sprig of dried seaweed, glue a shell, or stick a gull feather (if you can find one) to the front of the candle jar.
'Tis The Season For A Homemade Gift Idea
Christmas is also a wonderful time for candles as they are symbolic of the time of year, they’re lovely decorations, and make wonderful gifts for the festive season.
Scented candles are especially lovely at Christmas because it's a time of distinctive, aromatic scents.
Try out a festive homemade candle recipe by combining essential oils or fragrances that represent the scents of winter and the holidays. Choose those that can complement one another, like fresh pine and frankincense or cinnamon and orange zest. These aromas are the epitome of winter and festivities at Christmas. Other ideas might be nutmeg, myrrh, sherry, cloves, cherry, and vanilla.
When it comes to Christmastime candles, be creative with the containers too!
Tie your jars with a festive ribbon or decorate them with sprigs of holly or pine. Add Christmas labels or tie them with rustic brown string. You can even frost the glass so that they have an icy effect, or dip them in glitter.
Why not use dye for your wax to make them stand out more. Go for typical festive colours including red, white, green or gold. You’ll have beautiful, cost-effective Christmas gifts, designed with love.
Happy Candle Making!
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