Soy candle making basics begins with an understanding of the differences between soy-based and traditional candles. Soy wax has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its natural and renewable properties, as well as its beauty and environmental friendliness.
In comparison to traditional paraffin wax candles, soy wax candles are a much cleaner burning fuel source, releasing fewer toxins into the air. The wax is made from a renewable resource and offers an aesthetically pleasing container for candles because it holds scent very well and adheres to containers better than some other types of wax.
The Tools You Need To Get Started – Include safety precautions When starting out with soy candle making there are several tools you must have before getting started. First off it’s important to ensure you have the proper safety precautions in place; this includes securing protective eyewear and gloves as hot wax can cause serious burns if not handled correctly.
In addition, having easy access to fire extinguishers is important for added protection. Other items required for soy candle making include thermometers for tracking temperatures when melting the wax, wicks and metal wick holders to contain the flame once lit, dyes or fragrances meant specifically for use in soy based candles and of course the actual containers or molds used to shape your candles.
Getting Started With Making Your First Soy Candle – Describe what steps one should take Once all the necessary supplies are ready it’s time to begin creating your first battery powered soy candle. Before diving right in be sure that everything is prepared correctly such as wicks predipped into melted wax so they remain standing up straight when placed in your mold or container.
Next melt the desired amount of soy wax flakes on slow heat while stirring slowly using an appropriate vessel such as a double boiler.
After melted add any chosen color dyes or fragrances then pour into your container before attaching wick holder with attached wick at center point allowing 3/4 inch space from bottom of container for best performance.
Allow candles to cool completely before appearing gently from their molds or containers testing if more cooling time is needed by pressing fingers lightly on tops of newly created candles which should stay slightly indented when pressed indicating complete cooling being done properly before lighting them up.
What Are the Benefits of Soy Candles?
Soy candles offer a plethora of benefits both to users and the environment. For starters, soy candles are made with 100% renewable and sustainable oil from soy beans, providing economic advantages to large soy farming enterprises. Since they contain less toxins than regular paraffin candles, the air quality in households burning these candles is improved. In addition, each candle has an extended burn time compared to a paraffin one – it can last for up to 130 hours before needing replacement.
What Materials Do I Need?
To make your own homemade soy candle, you will need the following items:
- Soy wax
- Scales or measuring cups
- Stove or double boiler (hot plate or microwave oven will work too.)
- A large mixing bowl
- A pot/container for pouring in the molten wax
- Candle wicks with clamps (or other alternative)
- Fragrances (optional)
You will also need some auxiliary equipment such as stirring sticks, thermometers, metal tongs for placing/removing wicks etc. which can be picked up at any home improvement store or online sellers.
Step-by-Step Guide To Making Your Own Soy Candle
Making your own soy candle is not as difficult as it may seem. The basic process follows six simple steps:
1) Measure out the required amounts of your desired wax type and fragrance (if any). Generally speaking, a recommended ratio is three parts wax to one part fragrance oil.
2) Melt the wax using low heat either by placing a double boiler on stovetop or heating it gradually in a microwave oven.
3) When the temperature reaches 70 degrees Celsius turn off heat and add fragrance if desired.
4) Place wick into container and securing it using clamps.
5) Stabilize wick by attaching it with adhesives or tying it loosely around another object that can hold its place like a paper clip. 6) Finally pour the hot melted mixture into container and allow cooling for 12-24 hours before lighting.
What Materials Are Needed?
Making a soy candle by hand involves gathering the right materials. Having the best quality products will ensure that the resulting candle will be safe to use and last longer.
Wax: A 100% natural soy wax is a popular choice for candle making because it’s easy to work with, melts quickly, and has great hot or cold throw. Some of the popular brands include Soy Crafters Wax, Ecosoya, Golden Brands 464, or Golden Wax 444.
Fragrance Oil: Fragrance oil should not exceed 10% of total wax used in order to avoid hazardous fumes. All fragrance oils must have the IFRA Certificate of Compliance which states that any particular fragrance oil meets all safety regulations and has been proven safe for use in candles through rigorous testing.
Candle containers: Select candle containers that are heat resistant to temperatures higher than 55 Celsius. Popular glass options including mason jars or votives with metal bottoms are good choices for creating long-burning candles.
- Wax: Soy Crafters Wax, Ecosoya, Golden Brands 464, or Golden Wax 444
- Fragrance Oil: Must have an IFRA Certificate of Compliance
- Candle Containers: Heat resistant glass mason jars or votives with metal bottoms
Step by Step Beginners Guide to Soy Candle Making
Step 1: Gather Materials
The materials necessary for soy candle making are pretty simple, and most are readily available in most stores selling craft supplies. These include wax, wicks, melting pot, scent oils or fragrance oils (if desired), dye blocks (if desired), glass jars or tins, and a stirring tool. Many kits are also available online and in certain craft stores that contain all of the necessary supplies needed for creating your very own soy candles from home.
Step 2: Melting the Wax
Once you have all of the materials, you can begin melting the wax. It is important to follow safety protocols and to never leave the wax unattended while melting.
Many people opt to use a double-boiler method in order to melt their wax evenly and at a lower temperature which helps protect it from burning up or developing any discoloration or off-smelling odors. Melt up just enough wax for what you may need as it is not recommended to ever re-melt soy wax once cooled down.
Step 3: Add in Your Color Blocks & Scent Oils/Fragrances
Once melted, you can add color blocks if desired with about half of a block per pound of wax used. You may also add scent oils or fragrances if desired – this should be done towards the end of melting your wax right before pouring into molds or jars/tins containing wicks so that the scent/fragrance is not lost due to evaporation during the cooling process.
A typical rule of thumb is about 8 drops per pound of paraffin and 12 drops per lb of soy-based candle wax once completely melted. Natural essential oils are preferred instead of synthetic fragrances but either will work fine – whichever someone prefers.
Troubleshooting Common Soy Candle Making Problems
Wax Not Fully Hot Pouring
No one wants to have a candle where the wax is not fully pouring. There are a few tips and techniques you can use to try and make sure this issue doesn’t occur. Firstly, it is important to make sure that you fill your container with enough wax where it reaches the lip of the jar.
This is the ‘overfill factor’ common practice in the soy candle making world. Additionally, ensure that your candle has been melted at 110-125 degrees and stir periodically so that all wax chips give off its heat into the molten wax. This will help to ensure full melting throughout when being poured into your glass jars or molds.
Mushrooming Candles
Mushrooming candles unfortunately happen when there is too much fragrance oil being added to your molten wax causing too much smoke during burning times. To avoid this issue, ensure only recommended amounts of fragrance oil are used as stated in guidelines by manufacturers of essential oils and synthetic fragrances oils for candle making use.
Additionally, ensure that you allow your candles to fully cure before selling them or displaying them publicly. Lastly, consider using double wicking or placing multiple wick placements throughout larger candles though through trial and error of ensuring you have allowed for nice even candle melt pool releases but not too much flame or black smoke during their burning period.
Cracking Wax
Cracked wax can be a result of temperatures rising quickly when melting candles leading to brittle and weak poured out results.
When facing this problem after pouring out soy wax, focus on an even temperate rise as slowly – up to 40 degrees Celsius per hour being ideal – allowing time for crystals to form properly on cooling temperatures; these adhere ok containers together against shrinkage and cracking in colder climates after hardened which if done correctly will not greatly affect burn time either way.
Furthermore, opt for 100% Soy Wax Flake/Granule where possible instead of blocks/puck types meltables which may always contain other mix ingredients including paraffin matching content % moisture holding ingredients present therein too. Finally during long term storage remember also important do regularly use gas permeable bags protect against air leakages prevent drying out further before time due oxidation effect leaving less harmful fumes wafting upon using them later adding new scents healthy room homes.
How to Personalize Soy Candles
Soy candles are a great way to light up spaces and make them cosy. There are readymade soy candles that can be bought but it can be more fun to make and personalise them at home. It’s easy to follow instructions online or to even get kits delivered right to your doorstep which makes the whole experience very convenient.
With all the creativity involved in making your own candles, you can have even more fun customising it further with lids, stickers, stencils, decals, tassels or trinkets. Here are some ideas on what you can do when it comes to personalising your homemade soy candle;
- 1. Adding a Lid – You can buy silvery or golden metal lids that will look good with a glass jar while avoiding wax spills during transport.
- 2. Stickers – You can go down the craft store aisle for some lovely decorations and labels if you want something fun and colourful on your candle.
- 3. Tassels – Tassels not only look good but also act as an air freshener as they flutter about releasing the necessary scent ingredients from the candle.
- 4. Decals – These come in vibrant colours and sizes that you could choose from for your creative masterpiece.
Now that we know how to make DIY tassels for our candles, let’s get our needles and thread out so we can combine these two materials into one fabulous decorated creation.\
- 1. Choose Your Thread – Find some durable thread such as embroidery thread that won’t break easily when twirled around the needle.
- 2. Measure Up – Cut two strands of thread three times longer than the desired length of tassel so that when measured together it is twice as long. This determines how much of a loop they can spin around without unraveling.
- 3. Create The Strands – Take each pair of threads and fold them in half lengthwiseand string them onto a needle (just like sewing). Then twist four or five times until there is enough tension in the threads where it won’t unravel at its end.
How to Care for and Maximize the Burn of a Soy Candle
Although soy candles are gaining popularity due to their clean burn and low soot output, there are a few basic guidelines to keep in mind when using them for an extended period of time. Following these tips will help you get the most out of your soy candle and ensure that it lasts as long as possible:
- Always store your candle properly
To prolong the life of your soy candle, make sure to keep it in a cool dry place where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight or heat. This will not only prevent fading and discoloration but also stop the wax from becoming too soft and melting prematurely.
- Trim the Wick
- Light your Candle Correctly
Conclusion
Making your own soy candles is a fun, creative and rewarding activity. With just a few basic materials and a little bit of knowledge on the process, you can create beautiful, scented soy candles that you’ll love to show off or gift. The most important part of making your own candles is safety; always make sure you use gloves, glasses and other safety accessories while working with the wax in case of spills or burns.
Once your safety supplies are taken care of, collecting your materials should be easy. You’ll need a mold, soy wax flakes, wicks, an essential oil (optional) and all the necessary additives for burning the candle safely and cleanly. The final step is pouring the wax into the container and securing the wick before allowing it to cool completely in a safe place away from children or pets.
The next time you feel creative or want to try something new, consider making homemade soy candles. Whether this is a one-time venture or something you come back to again and again, it’s sure to be a fascinating activity that will help you relax after a long day at work with only minimal cost involved in materials.
Plus, you get to choose lovely fragrances or leave them unscented for simpler aromas as you please. Finally don’t forget: use all careful precautions while candle-making and foremost have fun with your creation.
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.
