Scented Candles With Essential Oils
Want to learn how to make natural candles with essential oils? Then you are in the right place! In the time you have been on this earth, you have probably spent more money than you’ll want to buy candles.
And who can blame you because who doesn’t love scented candles right! Whether for yourself or as a thoughtful gift, candles are pretty much a staple, so why not make your own at home. Contrary to what you may think, anyone can make them. The best part is that you can customize them however you want and save major bucks simultaneously. In addition, pre-made candles may have toxic chemicals, so this is another reason to make them yourself.
This little endeavor is also great to give your old mason jars a fantastic use, plus if you have the time then why the heck not, right! Now let’s get down to business. Below you’ll find out everything you need to learn how to make natural candles with essential oils or aromatherapy candles, at home.
Scented Candles With Essential Oils FAQs
Selecting The Right Wax- Beeswax vs. Soy Wax
When it comes down to the art of making aromatherapy candles, the ingredients are not that hard to get actually; however, the process can be a little tricky. So, you may want to do your research to learn useful tips and tricks.
That’s why we’ll talk first about selecting the right wax for your candles. You can choose between beeswax or soy wax, both are non-toxic waxes. Check out the following comparative chart.
| Beeswax | Soy Wax |
| Because beeswax is significantly denser than soy wax, it lasts longer. | It burns slowly and lasts a long time. |
| Beeswax has a mild honey scent that is soothing and pleasant. | It doesn’t throw scent well |
| Beeswax produces a warm yellow tone. Beeswax also emits more light. | Soy wax emits a cool blue tone |
| Beeswax is a natural byproduct of the beekeeping industry. | As the demand for soy increases, the land is being cleared for soybean farms, so it is linked to deforestation. |
| It’s not a vegan option, as harvesting beeswax could contribute to colony collapse. | Most soybean seeds are genetically modified to resist herbicides and pesticides. |
Then we also have paraffin wax; used for centuries to make candles, however; it contains potentially harmful chemicals if inhaled and is definitely not environmentally friendly.
Between beeswax and soy wax, the key point is to look for the ‘cleanest’ source wax. For example, look for non-GMO, pure, organic soy wax to avoid toxic chemicals. You could also check local farmers and find pure, organic beeswax. Inquire the beekeeper about his bees and nearby fields.
It must be said that beeswax is hands down the safest option for your health and the environment. In addition, is easier to obtain, furthermore, it’s a bright light, the ability to last longer and the scent goes fantastic with your favorite essential oils.
Choosing The Best Essential Oil For Your Candles
Did you know you can obtain all the therapeutic benefits of essential oils by incorporating them into your candles?
With aromatherapy, you can set a relaxing mood because there’s nothing like the warm glow and comforting scent of a candle.
To make the right choice when selecting an essential oil, you need to have in mind the kind of atmosphere you are setting off to create. For example, you want to relax after a long day at work and take a long bath at night or you may want to feel energized and focused through the day. The kind of feeling that needs to be attached to the essential oil you are using to put into the candle.
So, in a few words in order to choose an essential oil, you need to know the specific benefits of each one thus pairing them to meet your needs.
Essential oils are great for a ton of things and obviously, different essential oils get you different results. The reason why it’s important to use the correct oils for each situation.
So, if you’re feeling irritated, sad, or depressed essential oils can help get you in a better mood. Certain blends are great for balancing our moods, as well as energizing our bodies and spirit.
Let’s say you have a hectic day ahead and want a boost of energy to get stuff done. Scents like peppermint, spearmint, and eucalyptus oils are great invigorating options.
If you want to add a touch of freshly cleaned feeling to a room, critics such as lemon, orange, and grapefruit are excellent options.
For peace of mind and relaxation, lavender is a popular alternative, however, Bergamot has also been shown to reduce anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Want to breathe better? Mint and Rosemary are refreshing essential oils that may help open your airways and increase ling capacity.
You may also be looking to make a themed candle, let’s say one for the holidays. Great essential oils would be cedarwood, vanilla, and cinnamon.
You might also want to choose your essential oil depending on the season. For summer we have Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Mandarin. Geranium, Palmarosa, Yuzu, Juniper Berry work great for springtime. During the winter you want to stick to Lavender, White Fir, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Sandalwood. Over the fall the better options include Sweet Orange, Cassia, Cinnamon, Balsam Fir, Cardamom, Cedarwood, Bergamot.
Keep in mind you will have to use a good amount of essential oils in your candles so they can have the desired effects. Also when making a custom mixture, blend your essential oils with a base note; this will make the evaporation span last longer.
DIY Scented Candles With Essential Oils
Making your own candles makes all the sense in the world when you start noticing that commercial candles tend to be made with paraffin wax (a byproduct of petroleum) and synthetic wicks.
The good news is you can still enjoy the pleasant feel of candles without having to worry about having pollutants around your home and near the little ones. Ditch the artificial scents and dyes in store-bought candles and choose natural ingredients instead.
Now, there are important tips to the making of a candle with essential oils, so take note:
- Measure your wicks so they are longer in length than the vertical height of your jar. Cut them down once they have set.
- Make sure you secure the wick at the bottom of your empty jar.
- Make sure the wick is completely straight.
- Since beeswax candles burn at a different rate than other types of candles, you need to make sure you buy the right size of wick
- The wax should just below the lip of the jar and surround the wick
- Pour the wax into the jar over the newspaper so as to avoid getting wax everywhere.
- Leave your candles to set in a cool location.
All in all, the making process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Once you have all the materials you need, follow four simple steps:
1. Placing the wick: Use a bamboo skewer or a pen and tie the wick horizontally along the bottom of the jar. Fix your wick at the bottom of the jar by applying hot glue or by placing a bit of wax and then pressing it into place. Wait for the beeswax to harden before adding any more beeswax. You could also use wick stickers.
2. Prepping the wax: Place the hardened wax into a glass measuring cup and melt completely in the microwave or using a double boiler. When it melts, it should be around the eight-ounce mark.
3. Add essential oils: Add 30 to 40 drops of essential oils and stir.
4. Make your candle: Carefully pour the scented beeswax into your mason jar. Let it sit, or place it in the refrigerator until it hardens. After your candle hardens, cut the wick.
Natural Candles With Essential Oils Shopping List
Of course, you’ll be needing a list of materials to make your aromatherapy candles. Take note of the following list and make sure you get every item or equivalent.
- Wax of choice
- The essential oil of choice
- A glass jar to hold your candle
- A glass measuring cup
- A cotton wick
- Wick stickers, a hot glue gun, or extra wax to secure the wick
- 2 bamboo skewers, a clothespin, chopsticks, or 2 pens work too.
- Use the kitchen thermometer to measure the temperature of the wax.
- Saucepan
Instructions To Make Natural Candles With Essential Oil
Now that you know everything you need to make your essential oils candle is time to put your knowledge to the test. If you need more information regarding How to Choose Essential Oils, check out the previous story on that subject.
Check out below a recipe for making your essential oils candle with complete instructions.
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons essential oil of your choice
One 4-ounce metal or glass container
Candle wicks
Wick stickers
1 cup Organic Yellow Beeswax or Organic White Beeswax
1/4 cup Organic Coconut Oil
2 pens to hold the wicks
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan bring water to boil. Once the water is warm place a glass jar in the middle of the pan with the beeswax and the coconut oil.
2. Prepare the candle jars while you wait for the beeswax to melt. You need to fix the wick at the bottom of the jar by using the wick stickers.
3. Once there is no trace of beeswax pellets and everything has melted, turn off the stovetop. Place your kitchen thermometer in the hot wax. Check the temperature every few minutes until the wax cools to 185 degrees.
4. Add the essential oils. Mix with a spoon for a few seconds and transfer the beeswax into the glass jars.
5. Use 2 pens to hold the wick upright while the beeswax hardens. Allow cooling for several hours.
Voila!
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