Fall is here! It’s time to pull out those blankets, grab a hot cup of tea, and read a book by the fire. Nothing sets that cozy mood like the flickering fire light, so if you don’t have a fireplace, or if you just want to amp up that autumn vibe it’s super easy to make your own candles!
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Soy candles burn “cleaner” and don’t have the chemicals that paraffin candles have. They’re great because they burn slower too so your candle will last longer & you can add whatever scent you like, so you can personalize a gift for friends and family.
Making your own candles will save you money — plus this DIY Soy Candles guide is extremely easy and fun! I made all of these candles in about 30 minutes (not counting setting time) and I love them. They’ll make a beautiful and thoughtful gift for any occasion and you can customize them in so many ways.
Here’s what you’ll need*
- Soy Wax
- Natural Candle Wicks
- Candle Jar/Container
- Microwave Safe Bowl
- Essential Oils (optional)
- Hot Glue Gun (optional)
- Hair Dryer (optional)
Now that you have your supplies, we’re ready to start making soy candles!
- Clean out your candle jars/glass/containers. I used various sizes of mason jars, and a candle jar.
- Place your soy wax flakes into a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup.
- Microwave the wax for 30 seconds at a time. I filled my measuring cup with just over 2 cups of soy wax flakes and it melted down to about 1 + 1/2 cup of liquid wax. It took about four 30-second bursts in my microwave to melt the wax. Be mindful of the wax and give it a stir between each 30-seconds — it can catch fire if kept at a high heat for too long!
- Once your wax has melted, let it cool for about a minute — during this time, you can affix your wick to the candle container. If you are using the type of wicks that have the metal disk at the end, you can just place it in your jar. Dab a dot of hot glue to really secure it.
- Now that your wax has cooled a bit, you can add in your essential oil for a custom scent. I used peppermint oil and lavender oil for my candles. This part is optional, so if you’re sensitive to smell, just skip this step.
- Heat the glass candle container with the hair dryer or just use hot water on the outside of the glass to heat it up & help the wax bond to the glass. This will help prevent holes along the sides of the glass.
- Pull the wick taught & feed it through a hole in a piece of scotch tape OR you can feed it through a rubber band wrapped around a pencil. The goal is to keep the wick straight so it’ll look on purpose when your candle finishes cooling.
- Pour in the wax slowly. Don’t fill your container to the top — leave about an inch below the top of the container.
- Let the candle cool somewhere where you won’t disturb it — don’t put it in the refrigerator.
- After 24 hours, cut your wick. You are ready to enjoy your candle!
- Personalize your candles for a nice gift or just to match your home decor!
- If you have any bubbles on the surface of your candle, just heat with a blow dryer to melt the top layer. Then let set for an hour and your candles will look smooth and professional.
I love the look of all white soy candles. You could add a small bit of color block, but i prefer the white candles for a crisp, clean look. Give this DIY a try!
