Introduction to Soy Wax
Soy wax is becoming an increasingly popular choice for making scented candles. One of the main reasons to choose soy wax is its environmental impact. It Biodegrades much easier than traditional paraffin, which takes hundreds of years in some cases. Soy wax also emits waver vapours that are safe for our environment and long-term health, unlike paraffin which can contain hazardous compounds like benzene and toluene.
Another advantage of choosing soy wax for your candles is its burn time. Soy wax burns up to 50% longer than traditional paraffin-based candles and since there are fewer volatile fuel molecules in soy candlewax, it comes out as a much cleaner burning wax. This makes soy waw great for use in larger sized candles like pillars or jars, where you want an extended burn time with clean combustion.
When it comes down to aesthetics, soy candlewax gives a smoother looking end product when poured into molds when compared to other waxes like beeswax or paraffin blends. And the low melting point makes it a great option for those yet to obtain sophisticated equipment such as sensors and thermometers to track melting temperature changes during the pour process.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a sustainable option for making scented candles then look no further than soy wax! You won’t be disappointed in its distinct advantages over other types of candlewax available on the market today ” especially considering its long burn time, lesser environmental impact and smoother finish when poured into molds!
Gathering Your Supplies
When making scented candles with soy wax, it is important to gather the necessary supplies. The main materials you will need are: soy wax, wicks, essential oils (or fragrance oil), and molds or containers for the candles.
Soy wax can be found in flakes or chips online or at a local craft store. When selecting soy wax for your project, be sure it says 100% Soy Wax on the label. Although most soy waxes work well when making candles, some yield a better result than others do.
The type of wick you choose should match the size of your candle container and/or mold. Using too large of a wick will produce a flame that is too big and could cause soot buildup. Conversely, using too small of a wick can create an unstable flame and smoke upon lighting due to insufficient oxygen supply. It is important to do research before purchasing your wick to ensure you get the appropriate size for your candle project.
When choosing essential oils (or fragrance oils) for your candle, keep in mind that not all scents are strong enough to scent a candle properly once burning. It is recommended that you use 6-8 drops per ounce of wax to get good scent throw from your candles. Additionally, since essential oils may have differing viscosities, add them slowly and mix thoroughly for best results when scenting soy wax candles.
Finally, it is important to find suitable molds or containers for your candle project as this greatly affects both the appearance and functionality of your finished product. There are many options available – from simple tin cans and glass jars to metal tins and specialized molds for more intricate forms – so take time to shop around until you find something that suits both your style preference and budget!
Melting and Mixing Your Wax
When melting and mixing soy wax with scenting agents to make scented candles, you will need an appropriate wax melter, a thermometer and either a scented oil or desired scenting ingredients (depending on what type of soy wax you are using).
Begin by filling your melter with the desired amount of soy wax. Then, turn on the heat source (you can use either a stovetop or double boiler for this) and heat the wax until it melts entirely. Be sure to keep an eye on the temperature, as you should not allow it to exceed 180 degrees celsius when melting.
Once melted, add any desired scenting ingredients at a rate of 10% by weight for strong smells, 7-8% for moderate smells, and 5-6% for subtle smells. Be sure to mix slowly and evenly in order to avoid creating pockets of unincorporated materials. Once mixed properly, you can now pour the wax into jars and wait for it to cool down before adding the wick. You will then be ready to create beautiful scented candles with your own two hands!
Pouring and Finishing the Candles
The next step in making scented candles with soy wax is to pour it into the desired molds or containers. It is important to remember that melted wax can cause severe burns if mishandled, so safety precautions must be taken when handling hot wax. Make sure to use oven mitts or heat resistant gloves and a pot holder when using a double boiler. Also, the pouring surface should be heat-tolerant as well.
Once the soy wax has reached the desired temperature (approximately 185°F/85°C) it should then be poured slowly into the molds and containers at a normal room temperature. After this, candle wicks should be placed in each mold and container prior to pouring if not already inserted. When finished pouring, shake the molds and containers slightly if necessary to help level off any breached areas on top of the candle and remove any potential air bubbles from inside the candle itself.
After all of the candles have been finished, they must then cool until harden–usually between 4 to 12 hours depending on their size–before being taken out of their molds. During this cooling period, one may want to turn up his/her fan, if available, in order for air circulation to speed up the cooling process for quicker results. When ready, take your newly made scented candles out of their molds by turning them upside down and gently shaking them until they come loose or pop right out!
Adding Personalization
There are several creative ways to add a personal touch to your scented candles made with soy wax. You can add colored pigment flakes to the wax mixture before pouring it into the mold, creating a colored candle as well as varieties of pastel shades. To make it glittery and sparkly you can add glitter of different sizes and shapes such as silver or gold stars, snowflakes, teddy bears, hearts and other festive festival decorations available in craft stores or online. You may also choose to paint abstract designs directly onto the surface once solidified with thin-bodied oil paints or metal leafing kits. If you have an old piece of lace from a family heirloom garment you can use it as a wick cover for an extra special touch! If doing more traditional decorations you can tie bows with ribbon around each individual candle adding special gift tags that could feature short messages or quotes, making them look unique and special. There are so many options ” be creative and express yourself through your homemade soy candle creations.
Conclusion
Making scented candles with soy wax is a fun and easy project that can be completed in no time. It is a great way to add some scent and ambiance to your home or office, as well as give your friends and family unique gifts. The process consists of mixing the wax with the scent, pouring it into the mold, allowing it to cool, and packaging the finished candle. Some experimenting with different waxes, such as beeswax, paraffin, and natural vegetable waxes can be done to discover different scents. As for scent combinations, essential oils are always a nice touch when infused into candles. This project has been a success for our team and we hope you have had fun making your own scented candles with soy wax!
Welcome to my candle making blog! In this blog, I will be sharing my tips and tricks for making candles. I will also be sharing some of my favorite recipes.