How To Make Candles

So you've taken the plunge and want to find out how to make candles... congratulations! You're about to find out that with a bit of planning and guidance you can easily teach yourself how to make candles that are as good if not even better than those you can purchase online or in stores.

The first thing to learn about how to make candles is the type of candles that you can make: when learning how to make candles, you can make soy, wax, gel or paraffin candles. There are a lot of debates online about which of these candle types is the best, and why you should use one or the other when you are learning how to make candles, but really, it's a matter of personal preference. For me, when I was learning how to make candles, I went with soy, because I found it to be 1) cheaper, 2) soy candles last a lot longer, 3) soy candles diffuse fragrances a lot better, and 4) they're easier to clean. That being said, I have a lot of friends who also learn and teach how to make candles who swear by paraffin, gel and beeswax.

So what are the basic steps in how to make candles? I've added a very basic list here to help you out in your quest to learn how to make candles:

1. Start with a mold and appropriate wick. Zinc wicks are best, cotton wicks are OK too.

2. Melt the wax or soy wax using a stainless steel pot or other heating implement.

3. Pour the wax into the mold.

4. Tap the mold to remove air bubbles.

5. Use a skewer or chopstick to release air bubbles from the mold.

6. Wait, and as the candle shrinks in the mold, top up the mold with additional wax / soy wax.

7. Refrigerate the mold for 10 minutes.

8. Take the mold, tilt it upside down and the candle will slide out.

9. Polish the candle with either: nylons, candle spray or clear shoe polish.

10. Untie and trim the wick.

11. Even out the base of the candle.

If you and learning how to make candles with soy wax, be aware that when melting the soy wax, you can choose to add fragrances to the mix (and make scented candles!) and also colored dye to the mix if you choose to.

If you have any qualms about how to make candles, be sure to start with a candle making kit, as it will make your how to make candles journey that much easier!