Candle Making Tips and Tricks

Making your own candles can be rewarding and less expensive than buying them retail. Homemade candles can also be customized to fit your decor or aromatherapy requirements. Some waxes can even be melted in your microwave, making the process simpler than you ever imagined.

Wax Considerations

Paraffin
The least expensive and most widely available wax is paraffin. Paraffin is a petroleum by product (a hydrocarbon mixture), and considered by some to be a poor environmental choice. Because it is so easy to use and relatively cheap, you might want to consider trying it, or using paraffin in combination with another type of wax. Paraffin/vegetable blends are a good choice because they are economical, easy to use, and create a creamy, professional looking product.

Gel Medium
Gel is one of the newer candle making mediums. It uses a combination of polymers mixed with mineral oil for a rubbery texture that will burn longer than paraffin. Do not use gel in combination with other types of wax.

Soy Wax
Soy wax is an organic product derived from soybeans. It is a favorite because it cleans up easily and can be found at most candle making outlets. It has the advantage of burning cooler and producing less soot than paraffin. It is considered a more environmentally friendly wax than paraffin, and it can also be melted in your microwave.

Beeswax
Beeswax is the king of candle waxes. It is all natural, has a wonderful aroma, and is great to work with. It is also the most expensive choice of the three. Beeswax is available in bleached (white), and natural varieties. The natural is gold in color. Beeswax is also available in grades. The finer grades are usually sold for applications other than candle making, like the manufacture of cosmetics.

Wicks

Although you can find instructions on using twine and yarn as wicks, for the beginner, it's safest to purchase prepared wicks.

Wicks for Containers
Pre-packaged wicks will give you instructions on where and how to use them. The density and consistency of the wax you've selected will have an impact on the wick you should choose, and prepackaged wicks with bases and zinc cores are often the wisest choice. These wicks will remain rigid, have a base for proper placement, and have a published ROC (rate of consumption).

Candle Dye

Outlets that sell wax and wicks will also sell fragrance and dyes. Although I use aromatherapy grade essential oils in my candles, I purchase prepared candle dyes, creating deeper and richer hues by adding a drop of black to the prepared color mixtures.

For More Information See:

Candle Making Basics
Make an Easy Lavender Aromatherapy Candle