How to make candles at home in just 10 easy steps?

In order to make scented candles you need just a few simple ingredients and some supplies you probably already have in your house.

1. Wax

The heart of every candle. Choose from:

• Soy wax – eco-friendly and clean burning.
• Paraffin wax – affordable and gives a strong scent throw.
• Beeswax – natural and long-lasting.
• Coconut or palm wax – smooth texture and lovely finish.

2. Wicks

Wicks control how your candle burns. Options include:                            

• Cotton wicks for standard candles.
• Wooden wicks for a crackling effect.
• Hemp or linen wicks for natural alternatives.

3. Containers or Molds

These hold the wax and shape your candle. Try:

• Glass jars, tins, or ceramic cups for container candles.
• Silicone or metal molds for shaped or pillar candles.

4. Fragrance Oils or Essential Oils

5. Double boiler

6. Thermometer

7. Candle wick trimmer

How to make scented candle at home?

Step 1. Prepare Your Container

Step 2: Measure the Wax

Step 3: Melt the Wax

Step 4: Add Color

Step 5: Cool the wax slightly

Step 6: Add Fragrance oil

Step 7: Secure the wax

Step 8: Pour the Wax

Step 9: Let it cool & set the wax

 Step 10: Trim the wick & cure the scented candle.

Creating candles at home is simpler than you might think. With a few specialized items, some planning, and a little time, you can craft beautiful, fragrant candles. Follow this step-by-step guide to start your candle-making journey.

Prepare Your Container

• Wash and dry your jar or tin so that no dust or oil residue.
• Stick the wick in the center of the container using a drop of hot glue or a bit of melted wax.
• Make sure it stands upright — you can wrap the top around a pencil or chopstick placed across the rim to keep it centered.

Measure Your Wax

• To estimate the right amount, fill your container twice with solid wax flakes.
  When melted, wax volume reduces to about half, so this gives you just the right amount.

Melt the Wax

• Set up your double boiler: Fill a pot halfway with water and place a heatproof bowl or jug on top.
• Pour your measured wax into your double boiler and warm it slowly until completely melted. Stir carefully with a spatula, catching any bits that rise up the pot’s edges
• Different waxes have different melting points:

1. Paraffin wax: around 38°C (100°F)
2. Soy wax: approximately 51°C (124°F)
3. Beeswax: around 63°C (145°F)

Add Color

• When your wax is at temperature, drop in the coloring bricks and stir until they are firmly melted.
• Stir until it’s evenly blended — remember, the color looks darker in liquid form but lighter once cooled.

Cool the Wax Slightly

• Remove the wax from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
• Ideal temperature for adding fragrance:
• Soy wax: 70–80°C (160–175°F)
• Beeswax: 80–85°C (175–185°F)
• Paraffin: 65–75°C (150–165°F)

Add Fragrance Oil

• The strength of the scent depends on the type of wax you use, the temperature at which you add the fragrance, and how much fragrance oil you add.
• Most candle makers follow a general guideline of 6% to 10% fragrance oil to wax weight.
• Paraffin wax has the best scent throw. It can usually hold up to 10% fragrance oil,
• Soy wax has a decent scent throw, it holds 6% to 10% range and pour the fragrance in at the right temperature.
• Beeswax, with its higher melting point supports up to 6% fragrance oil.

Secure the Wick

• Center one wick in each container.
• Secure it to the bottom with a drop of melted wax or glue.
• To keep your wick centered, use a wick holder or a clothespin across the top of the container to secure it in place while the wax cools.

Pour the Wax

• Pour the wax slowly into your container to avoid bubbles.
• If your candle cools unevenly or forms a sinkhole, try reheating the surface with a heat gun or a hairdryer on a low setting.
• Leave about 1 cm space at the top.
• Hold the wick in place as you pour so it doesn’t move off-center.

Let It Cool & Set

• Let your candle cool at room temperature for at least 4–6 hours, or overnight for best results.
• Avoid moving it during this time — any disturbance can cause cracks or uneven tops.
• If a sinkhole forms in the center, melt a small amount of leftover wax and pour it over to fill the gap.

Trim the Wick & Cure the Scented Candle

• Once the wax has hardened, trim the wick to ¼ inch (0.5 cm).
• Curing times vary by wax type:

1. Paraffin wax candles: cure in about two days
2. Soy candles: harden in about four hours, fully cure in three to four days
3. Beeswax candles: take up to 10 days to cure completely.

 TIPS & TRICKS

Scent Combinations

CONCLUSION