Using Essential Oils to make beautifully scented homemade candles
Many people light candles as a way of helping them to relax. However, it can be just as therapeutic to actually make candles yourself from scratch. Whether it’s something you share with your friends and family, or just a way for you to get creative and learn something new, creating homemade candles with essential oils can have a really positive effect on your mental, physical and social wellbeing. Plus, it is an extremely rewarding activity that gives you a great sense of self-achievement when you finally get to light your candle! In this guide, I will show you how to make candles with essential oils, so you too can enjoy the amazing health benefits in your own home.
Step 1: Get your jars ready
Making homemade candles is a great way to recycle any old jars you have lying around. I find that mason jars work best, but you can essentially use any containers you have that is heat-resistant and won’t result in any cracks or leaks. Once you have chosen what you want to make your candles in, get them ready by ensuring they are well-cleaned out and dry.
Step 2: Choose and prepare your wax
There are numerous types of waxes that can be used in the art of candle making, such as beeswax and paraffin wax. However, when it comes to creating candles with essential oils, my preference is to use soy wax as it is good at preserving natural scents. It also burns much cleaner and slower in comparison to paraffin wax, therefore the candle lasts longer and releases less soot and smoke in the air making it one of the healthiest materials to use.
To make 4 small candles, you will need approximately 6 cups of soy wax flakes. In a separate heat-resistant bowl, add the soy wax flakes and melt them over a low to medium heat (gradually turn the heat up if you find that the flakes are taking longer to melt). Once melted completely, the wax will be ready for you to add in your oils.
Step 3: Select the right wick
If you’re using so wax to create your candles, then it is important to partner it with a hot-burning wick. This is because whilst soy wax is great for retaining scent, it doesn’t necessarily get very hot, therefore not a lot of fragrance is released when it burns. You can get candle wicks made from all types of materials but UI prefer to use ones that are made from natural resources as they burn cleaner.
Ensure you cut your wicks so they stand taller than the height of your jar (you can always cut these down once the candles have set. Then, place a wick in the centre of each jar and secure them to the bottom with a little bit of the wax you have just created. Hold the wick upright and tape to a wooden stick or similar to keep them in place.
Step 4: Pick your favourite Essential Oils
When it comes to picking out your essential oils, it is important to consider where and when you are going to burn your candle. For example, if you’re going to light it during the summer, you may opt for more tropical scents such as grapefruit or bergamot, as opposed to those considered to be more wintery like cinnamon and peppermint. Similarly, you may choose lighter, fresher scents for candles that will go in your bathroom, and cosier, more warming fragrances for those that you will light in your living room.
Top Essential Oils For Candles UK
Essential oils are known to have less of an intense aroma than fragrance oils, so if you want to make strongly scented candles, it may be best to choose essential oils that are more potent. We find grapefruit to be a particular favourite – especially in the summer months.
Step 5: Pour your essential oils in at the right moment
You want to ensure that your wax reaches the right temperature (between 80 and 85 degrees celsius) for the oils to be added in. If it is too cool, you run the risk of the oils not spreading evenly throughout the wax. If the wax gets too hot, then the active ingredients in your oils may get destroyed, resulting in a weaker scent.
Once the ideal temperature has been reached you can add in your oils. As a general guideline, you should add 20-25 drops of essential oil per candle. If you want a more intense fragrance then you can add more drops. Stir the mixture to ensure the essential oils and wax have thoroughly combined. Whilst carefully handling the hot wax, pour it into each jar making sure you leave ample room at the top and place on a flat surface to get a neat and even finish. I recommend you leave the candles overnight to ensure they are fully set before lighting them.
Top tip:
If you find that you have made more wax than your jars can hold, why not pour the remaining into any shaped mould of your choice to make wax melts? Adding a wax melt to a burner is a lovely way to fill your home with fragrance and looks great as a piece of decorative homeware.
I hope you enjoyed learning how to make candles with essential oils – I’d love to see what you come up with!
