This page contains some affiliate links. Please review my disclosure policy.
Who doesn’t love candles? These candle recipes will show you how to make candles at home using all-natural ingredients. Scented candles with essential oils make the ultimate relaxation gift and the perfect use for all of those old mason jars. You just need wax, wicks and essential oils.
I’m a sucker for a homemade gift. Homemade bath salts, salt scrubs or even these candles with essential oils are my go-to! I love receiving homemade gifts so I try to make a point of making them for other people.
I especially love a gift that can be easily made in big batches and in advance in case you have a last minute event or get-together that requires a gift.
In this tutorial I’m teaching you how to make candles at home using essential oils. These are easily customizable (I.e. you can substitute different essential oils based on your favorite scented candles) and really candle making is pretty basic.
What You Need to Make Candles at Home
In order to make scented candles you need just a few simple ingredients and some supplies you probably already have in your house.
- Soy wax flakes – Candle wax made from soy burn cleaner with little soot released as the candle burns. They’re also non-toxic so they won’t release toxins as they burn.
- Natural wicks – Traditional candle wicks release butane gas as they burn. That’s why I opt for a natural hemp-based wick instead.
- Essential oils – to scent your candles you can use essential oils (I like lavender, grapefruit and eucalyptus). You’ll need close to 100 drops which seems like a lot but is important for giving your homemade candles a strong scent.
You’ll also need:
- Mason jars -or some other container or glass jars
- A disposable stirring device – Candle wax sticks to everything so you’ll want to use something disposable.
- Chopstick or pencil – for anchoring wick in place. This is the perfect use for all those disposable chopsticks you have laying around.
How to Make Candles at Home
Today I’m sharing my best tips for making scented candles (or essential oil candles because that’s pretty much what they are!).
STEP 1: MELT WAX
Melt soy wax in a pot over low-medium heat. The soy wax flakes should melt fairly easily but turn up heat slightly if taking more than a few minutes. Stir using wood stirring device (I used a chopstick). I don’t use a thermometer for this – just pay attention so it doesn’t burn.
Note: You may want to use a double boiler if you’re concerned about your pot as sometimes the wax will stick to your pot.
STEP 2: ADD YOUR ESSENTIAL OILS
Once melted, add 80-102 drops of your favorite essential oils directly into pot. Amount depends on type of essential oils and how potent they are. To learn more about essential oils check out this post.
STEP 3: ANCHOR WICKS + POUR WAX
Anchor wicks to bottom of mason jars using a bit of wax (or purchased anchors). Tape wick upright to a horizontal chopstick or pen/pencil (see picture above). Pour wax into mason jar and then repeat until all jars are full. Depending on size of mason jars you may have some wax leftover. Let stand until solid (about 1 hour). Cut wick to desired length.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Candle Making
This is where mistakes happen so pay attention to these final steps in making your aromatherapy candles:
-Cut your wicks so they are longer in length than the vertical height of your jar. You can cut them down after they have set.
-Secure your wicks with “anchors” by placing a bit of wax at the bottom of your empty jar and then pressing it into place using a chopstick.
-Use a chopstick (a pen or pencil works too) and place it horizontally along the top of the jar. Tape your wick to it so that it’s upright, ensuring that it’s completely straight. If it’s not straight it will burn all funky.
-Pour your wax directly into the jar so that it fills to just below the lip and surrounds the wick. ALWAYS pour your candles into your jars over newspaper. Otherwise you will get wax everywhere. And cleaning wax off your stove top is not fun at all (trust me!)
-Very important: DO NOT pour leftover wax down your drain <– this was not a fun lesson to learn
-You can leave your candles to set in a cool location and it will take about an hour. Cut the wicks down before burning.
Prefer Store-bought Candles? Here are my favorite Non Toxic Candle Brands!
How to Make Candles at Home
Who doesn’t love candles? These candle recipes will show you how to make candles at home using all-natural ingredients. Scented candles with essential oils make the ultimate relaxation gift and the perfect use for all of those old mason jars. You just need wax, wicks and essential oils.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 4 small candles 1x
Ingredients
- 6 cups soy wax flakes
- natural wicks (anchors optional)
- 80–120 drops of essential oil (I used lavender, grapefruit and eucalyptus)
Other supplies:
- 8 ounce mason jars (or jars of choice)
- wood stirring device
- pens or chopsticks for securing wicks.
Instructions
- Melt soy wax in a pot over low-medium heat. They should melt fairly easily but turn up heat slightly if taking more than a few minutes. Stir using wood stirring device (I used a chopstick)
- Once melted, add 80-102 drops of your favorite essential oils. Amount depends on type of essential oils and how potent they are.
- Anchor wicks to bottom of mason jars using a bit of wax.
- Tape wick upright to a horizontal chopstick or pen (see picture above).
- Pour wax into mason jar and then repeat until all jars are full. Depending on size of mason jars you may have some wax leftover.
- Let stand until solid (about 1 hour).
- Cut wick to desired length.
Like this post? Here are a few other homemade DIY projects you might enjoy:
WANT MORE HEALTHY LIVING TIPS? Join the THM Community!
Join 10,000+ members of the THM Community to get access to exclusive info about healthy living, products I'm loving and tips and tricks on making a healthy lifestyle easier and sustainable.
Hi, thanks for the insightful article above on making homemade candles. My partner and I are trying to do the same, but it seems the hot throw isn’t quite that strong… We are using pure essential oils only (no fragrance) to keep things all natural. What do you recommend? You can check my post about the best essential oils for candles here https://www.vinevida.com/blogs/our-blog/10-best-essential-oils-for-candles-make-your-candle-and-bring-the-target-scent
Thanks!
I’ve always heard not to heat essential oils as heat degrades them and can even make them unsafe. Did you research this before making these candles?
Yes, heat can degrade the potency of the essential oils but will not make them unsafe. There is a high amount of essential oils so the potency factor isn’t a big deal given how many drops there are. I should add that I am not a certified aromatherapist though I am a certified herbalist and in my education nothing indicated that the EOs would be unsafe. If you’re concerned you can always add the oils while the liquid is still wet but has cooled slightly.
Every candle recipe calls for essential oils or fragrant oils. Hence how they get their scent.
I have been looking for ideas for homemade gifts can’t wait to try this today
Enjoy!
Have you tried cutting wine/liquor bottles to make candles in?
Amazing , Good Job
thank you !!
This is so easy! I decided to go with homemade gifts for Xmas this year, and having just gotten some amazing new EO blends I was super excited to try this out! Super easy to follow and my candles have been turning out great. I can’t wait to give my sister-in-laws a set of mini mason jar candles for Christmas!
I love candles. This looks so simple! I’m working to get something similar but am struggling!
Temperature and the wick play a huge part in the candle making process also the pour temperature and how long they cure .It isn’t an easy process to just throw a candle together Trying to get a good cold throw and hot throw is important takes a lot of testing to get it just right even then you worry about the room temp , frosting and not sticking to the jar properly also the burn pool and time it burns . It truly is an art to get it just right!
Do you have any advice? I’ve tried so many times but my candles don’t burn right. At first I thought it was the dye but even with just soy wax & essential oils they don’t stay lit. I’ve tried two or three types of wicks also. Very frustrating because I’ve spent hundreds on wax, wicks, jars, oils, dyes & with very little to show for it :/
Very nice gift idea.
I’m gonna get them for my GF!!!
how well did these burn? what about the scent? was it long lasting? i always read its a bad idea to use aromatherapy essential oils for candle making. were your oils specifically for candle making? or just regular essential oils. if so where did you purchase them from!! thanks 🙂
I have always bought my essential oils from https://www.bulkapothecary.com and I’ve never noticed a difference between the different oils in my quality. They also have good prices and high quality results.