- How To Make Candles
- By Jennifer Hall
Making homemade candles can be
a fun hobby, whether making them as gifts or for yourself to
enjoy. Candle making usually requires some experimentation, but
when you discover how to make those perfect candles, it's well
worth the effort.
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There are a few basic supplies
needed for making most candles:
- wax
- wicks
- mold or containers
- wax melter
- candle making thermometer
- fragrances
- dyes
- putty for molds
First decide on a wax you would
like to start with, there are three different kinds to choose
from: paraffin wax, soy wax, and beeswax. Paraffin wax is most
commonly used in candles, this wax is found at most candle making
stores. Soy wax is all natural, made from soybeans, and cleans
up easily with soap and water. Beeswax is all natural too, and
making beeswax candles is often easiest because you simply wrap
a sheet of beeswax tightly around a wick then seal it with your
thumb, which means no melting is required. |
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To begin, spread newspapers around
the candle making area. First you melt your paraffin or soy wax
and it must be double-boiled. Usually you place a large pot that
is about half-filled with water on a burner over low-medium heat,
place a melter in the water, then gradually place wax pieces
into the melter. When the wax has melted, you can add coloring
or fragrance as desired.
To make molded candles, cut the
wick two inches taller than you want the candle to be, then thread
it through the hole at the bottom of the mold, then plug the
outside of the hole with putty. Place a pencil or similar item
over the top of the mold and tie the top of the wick to it, centering
the wick. If the mold is cardboard, plastic, or glass, heat the
wax to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. If the mold is metal, then heat
the wax to 190 degrees. You can use a candle or candy thermometer
to measure this. When the right temperature is reached, lift
the melter by the handle and slowly pour the wax into the mold.
Let cool for twelve hours then refrigerate for twelve more hours,
then your candle is ready to be removed.
To make votives and other small
container candles, you can use pre-tabbed wicks by simply placing
them in the center of the votive candle molds or containers,
then pour the wax mixture over and let stand for twelve hours,
refrigerating the votives.
This should give you a good start
in this enjoyable hobby. |
