Video: Spring Scented Essential Oil Soy Candles
Do you love scented candles? I was never a big fan of them growing up, but since owning my own home, I absolutely love them. Perhaps I just never loved the overly fake scent of paraffin candles that our friends and neighbors would purchase. Do you feel the same?
I started making my own scented soy candles several years ago, and shared them on the blog. It’s an incredibly easy process to do and ends up being cheaper than you would think. A candle scented naturally with essential oils and organic ingredients can cost anywhere from $12-$24 per candle, or more. I am selling mine in the shop as well, but I am here to tell you that it costs maybe around $2-$4 to make one yourself. That seems fairly reasonable, right? Now, as a shop owner, why would I tell you this? Well, it benefits me in many ways. I have the option to sell you a candle that I made with wholesome ingredients, lovingly by hand, if you do not like DIY projects! There is a mark up so that I may make a profit to provide for my family. If you do like DIY projects, I hope that you don’t mind my use of affiliate links to purchase any of the ingredients that you may need to make them. You also support my online business by driving traffic to this post. So thank you! I truly appreciate you being here and supporting our family. We love sharing with you and learning more about what you enjoy! (:
But back to candles… making soy candles is easy because it literally takes a handful of supplies and some simple steps to achieve. If you are tired of the harsh chemicals in paraffin candles and are looking for something more eco-friendly and low waste, then these are a good option. Maybe you like beeswax better? Beeswax does not hold scent well, unfortunately. If you would prefer to use beeswax, then please only replace up to half of the soy wax!
what you will need:
4 oz tins with lids (or another type of vessel)
Hot Glue Gun (optional)
Soy wax flakes (about 3 cups worth, unmelted)
Essential oils in scents of choice (about 100-150 drops worth)
Dried Flowers and/or herbs (you can find these in our online apothecary shop!)
Meat or Candy Thermometer (optional)
directions:
Prepare your vessels. I like to use little 4 ounce tins; I can make 4 candles for every 3 cups unmelted or 2 cups melted wax. To prepare the vessel, trim some candle wicking that is tall enough to stick out about 1.5-2 inches taller than your container. Put a small dab of hot glue on the bottom of the vessel to secure the wicking, or your put a bit of melted wax instead.
When the glue or wax has hardened and the wicking is secure, pull it straight and taught up the middle of the candle. Secure it with a clothespin or wrap it around a popsicle stick, resting over the top of the vessel, so that the wicking will remain in place.
Melt the wax in a double boiler or microwave. You will want it to reach about 125 degrees F.
Remove from heat and drop in your essential oils. The scent will hold best when the wax is at 110 degrees F. If you do not have a meat or candy thermometer to measure the temperature, wait about 5-10 minutes before dropping in your scents.
Drop in 100-150 drops of essential oil for every 2 cups of melted wax. I know, this sounds like a lot! In previous posts, I have shared to use about half that amount. I have found that if you want a candle as strong as one you would purchase at the store, you need to add a lot more scent, which is likely why they are so expensive!
Slowly pour your wax into the vessel, making sure the wicking remains as straight as possible. Adjust if necessary.
When the candle has almost fully hardened but the top is still liquid, drop on a few bits of dried herbs or flowers. You will want to wait until it is partially hardened, or else the flowers will sink to the bottom.
When fully hardened, remove the clothespin and trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the wax. Let cure for about 24 hours before burning.
spring scent combinations:
Rose Garden: 50 drops geranium or rose essential oil, 50 drops eucalyptus essential oil, 10 drops patchouli essential oil
Lavender Fields: 50 drops lavender essential oil, 50 drops lemon essential oil
Flower Farm: 50 drops grapefruit essential oil, 50 drops lemongrass essential oil, 50 drops orange essential oil
Forest Path: 50 drops lemon essential oil, 50 drops rosemary essential oil, 20 drops cedarwood essential oil
I hope that you enjoy making these homemade soy candles! If you prefer beeswax, you can swap out half of the soy for beeswax. The scent does not retain as well, but it makes for a beautiful candle!
xoxo Kayla
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