How to Make Essential Oil Candles at home: Natural Candle making Guide

Want to learn how to make essential oil candles? You'll need just 20 minutes. This simple DIY project lets anyone create beautiful candles using basic ingredients like soy wax or beeswax.

Making your own candles is both fun and affordable. A 16-ounce bag of beeswax costs around $13, and a 5-pound bag of soy flakes is about $20. These materials let you create multiple candles for less than what you'd spend on natural store-bought options.

Your choice of essential oils matters greatly. Oils with higher flash points work best - lavender, cinnamon, and clove give you a stronger scent throw. Each candle needs about 60 drops, or you can use 1 ounce of essential oil per pound of wax to create a noticeable fragrance.

These DIY candles are a healthier choice compared to commercial options because they don't contain synthetic fragrances or harmful chemicals. Soy wax stands out as an excellent base material since it burns clean and retains fragrance better than other waxes.

Let us guide you through creating beautiful, fragrant candles from scratch. We'll cover everything from material selection to solving common problems you might face.

Gather Your Candle Making Supplies

You need the right supplies to begin your candle-making adventure with essential oils. The materials you choose will determine how well your DIY essential oil candles perform and smell. Let's look at everything you need to create beautiful, fragrant candles from scratch.

Types of wax: soy, beeswax, coconut

The wax you select serves as the foundation of your essential oil candle project. Each type brings something special to the table:

Soy Wax: This vegetable wax comes from soybeans and works great for beginners making essential oil candles. It creates a clean burn with a slow, steady flame and holds scent well. Soy wax's biodegradable and renewable nature makes it vegan-friendly. The natural properties are great, but some environmental concerns exist about soybean farming practices and potential deforestation.

Beeswax: As one of the oldest candle materials, beeswax gives off a subtle natural honey scent and burns clean with minimal soot. Nature provides this biodegradable material, but it's not vegan since honey bees produce it. The higher melting point (approximately 144°F) makes it great for freestanding pillar candles, but getting good scent throw with essential oils can be tricky.

Coconut Wax: This newer option comes from pressed coconut meat oil. The wax burns very slowly—up to 50% longer than similar beeswax candles. You'll get virtually no soot, and it's excellent at holding both fragrance and color. Coconut wax comes from a high-yield sustainable crop that preserves forests. The price tag runs higher than other options, though.

Choosing the right wick and container

Wicks: Your candle's success depends on picking the right wick size. Your wax type and container diameter play the biggest role in this choice.

Cotton wicks work best for beginners, with popular options including CD, ECO, and LX wicks. The series number tells you the size—an ECO 14 beats an ECO 10 in size. Your burn tests should show these signs for proper wick sizing:

• Correct size: The flame stays steady with little flickering; wax melts to the container edges

• Too small: Wax only melts in the center, creating "tunneling"

• Too large: You'll see tall, flickering flames and too much carbon buildup

Containers: Safety comes first—use heat-resistant vessels. Mason jars, thick glass containers (at least 3mm), or glazed ceramic vessels are great choices. Stay away from anything porous, plastic, or flammable like wood or cardboard.

Essential tools you'll need

Making essential oil candles requires these simple supplies:

1. Double boiler or melting pot to safely melt wax
2. Thermometer (digital or glass) for temperature monitoring
3. Pouring pitcher to transfer melted wax
4. Scale to measure wax and essential oils
5. Stirring utensil (wooden spoon or metal spatula)
6. Wick stickers and holders for proper wick placement
7. Scissors to trim wicks
8. Heat-resistant protection for your workspace

Clothespins, straws, or chopsticks can help hold wicks while the wax sets. A spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol makes cleanup a breeze.

Quality supplies make quality candles. Good tools help ensure your essential oil candles burn evenly and release their fragrance effectively.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Essential Oil Candles

Let's take a closer look at making essential oil candles now that we have our supplies ready. You'll need to pay attention to detail and use the right technique to get great results. I'll guide you through each step to help you create perfect DIY essential oil candles.

1. Set up your double boiler

A proper double boiler plays a vital role in melting wax safely without overheating. You don't need expensive equipment—just a few simple items:

1. Fill a large saucepan with about 1-2 inches of water.

2. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat until the water starts to simmer.

3. Put your wax in a heat-resistant pouring pitcher or container.

4. Set this container inside the larger pot without letting it touch the bottom.

Steam from this setup creates indirect heat instead of direct heat and prevents your wax from burning. The water level needs constant monitoring, so add more water when needed to prevent complete evaporation.

2. Melt the wax safely

Your double boiler is ready, and now you can melt the wax with these safety measures:

The right temperature matters a lot. Different waxes melt at different points—soy wax between 49-82°C, paraffin between 46-68°C, and beeswax between 62-65°C.

A thermometer helps you watch the temperature. Keep it below 80°C (185°F). Use a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula to stir the wax occasionally for even melting.

Low-medium heat works best to melt the wax gradually. The wax needs constant supervision because even with a double boiler, fire risks exist if water completely evaporates.

3. Prepare your jars and wicks

The wax melting process gives you time to get your containers ready:

Each jar needs a good cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and a paper towel to remove any dust or debris. Clean jars help wick stickers stick better and keep unwanted particles out of your finished candle.

Place a wick sticker at the center of each container's bottom after cleaning. The metal disk at your wick's end should be pressed firmly onto this sticker. Press it down for several seconds to ensure it sticks well.

A wick holder, chopstick, or clothespin placed across the container's top keeps the wick centered during pouring. This stops the wick from moving when you add the melted wax.

4. Add essential oils at the right temperature

Adding essential oils at the correct temperature makes a big difference in preserving their scent:

Take the wax off heat once it hits 185°F (85°C) and let it cool to the right temperature. Testing shows that 185°F gives you the best binding between oils and wax.

The essential oils should weigh about 6% of your wax weight. This means using around 1.45 oz (41g) of essential oil for 24 oz (680g) of wax.

Mix the essential oils into the wax gently for about 2 minutes. This step ensures your candle's scent spreads evenly throughout.

5. Pour and let the candles set

Your candles' burning quality and fragrance depend on these final steps:

The wax should cool to about 135°F (57°C) before you pour it. This temperature helps you avoid air bubbles and keeps the surface smooth.

Pour the wax steadily into your containers without disturbing the centered wick. Leave about half an inch of space at the top.

Your candles need to cool completely in a draft-free spot for at least 24 hours. After cooling, trim the wick to about ¼ inch (6mm) above the wax.

Soy candles with essential oils need about 2 weeks to cure properly. This waiting period lets the scent spread through the wax completely, giving you stronger fragrance when lit.

How to Choose and Blend Essential Oils

The art of making essential oil candles starts with picking the right oils and blending amazing scents. You can create unique aromas that match your priorities and mood through this creative process.

Best essential oils for candle making

The best essential oils for candles have strong scent profiles and higher flash points (above 150°F). These qualities help create better cold throw (unlit scent) and hot throw (burning scent).

Expert testing shows these essential oils work great in candles:

• Lavender - Offers strong hot and cold throw with no wax discoloration

• Patchouli - Provides strong scent performance with slight yellowing

• Cedarwood - Creates an earthy, woody aroma with minimal discoloration

• Cinnamon Leaf - Rated 5/5 stars for performance in wax

• Clove Leaf - Also rated 5/5 stars for excellent throw

Peppermint, eucalyptus, black pepper, and lemon essential oils work well too. Oils with naturally strong aromas typically give the best results in candles.

How much essential oil to add to candle

The right concentration is significant to get a noticeable scent without affecting burn quality. You should always measure by weight, not drops, since essential oils have different densities.

Each wax type needs different amounts:

• Soy wax: 6-10% fragrance load (approximately 1-1.6 ounces per pound of wax)

• Paraffin wax: 6-8% fragrance load (0.96-1.28 ounces per pound)

• Beeswax: 4-6% fragrance load (0.48-0.96 ounces per pound)

A standard 8 oz candle needs about ½ ounce of essential oil for the right fragrance strength.

Popular essential oil candle recipes

Your own signature blends make DIY essential oil candles unique. Here are some tested combinations:

Relaxing Lavender-Lemon Blend:

• 75 drops lavender essential oil

• 25 drops lemon essential oil

Cozy Winter Blend:

• Equal parts orange and cinnamon bark oils

• Optional addition of clove or nutmeg

Woodland Retreat:

• Equal parts cedarwood, rosemary, and spruce/fir

Aveda Spa Inspired:

• ¾ teaspoon lavender

• ½ teaspoon bergamot

• ¼ teaspoon marjoram

• ¼ teaspoon lemongrass

Fragrance notes are the foundations of balanced blends. You can create complex scents using complementary notes (opposite on the fragrance wheel) or harmonious combinations with kindred notes (adjacent on the wheel). This approach helps you craft

Tips for Better Scent and Burn

Creating essential oil candles that both smell amazing and burn perfectly needs attention to a few key details. Let's help you become skilled at making candles with these important tips.

How to make soy candles with essential oils smell stronger

After testing countless batches of candles, I've found several factors that substantially affect scent throw. The most important step is to pick oils with naturally potent aromas like cinnamon, eucalyptus, lavender, and grapefruit. These oils create a stronger foundation for your candle's scent profile.

Your choice of wax makes a huge difference. Beeswax and soy wax burn slowly, which helps candles keep their scents longer and release them gradually while burning. This results in a candle that smells stronger and lasts longer too.

You can't compromise on proper measurement. An 8-oz candle needs about 1/2 oz (300 drops) of essential oil. Make sure to keep your finished candles covered with lids or glass cloches between uses to maintain their fragrance.

Avoiding tunneling and cracks

That frustrating hollow forming around the wick - called tunneling - happens because candles don't burn long enough during their first use. Let the entire top layer melt completely from edge to edge during your first burn. The wax develops a "memory" that helps prevent tunneling later.

Your wick needs trimming to 1/4 inch before each lighting. This helps control the flame size and makes the candle's surface melt evenly.

Cracks show up because candles cool too quickly or unevenly. Let your candles cool naturally at room temperature and keep them 2-3 inches apart. Don't use freezers or air conditioning to rush the cooling process. Watch out for excessive bubbles while stirring - a gentler approach prevents trapped air that leads to cracks.

Curing your candles for best results

Without doubt, patience leads to amazing results. Your candles need curing before lighting - at least 24 hours, but longer is better. Soy candles show dramatic improvements in scent throw after 1-2 weeks. Paraffin waxes typically need 3-5 days, while natural waxes work best with 7-14 days of curing.

The fragrance bonds with the wax during this time, which creates a stronger, more consistent aroma during burning. Keep your curing candles in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to maintain their quality.

Troubleshooting and Safety Tips

Crafting essential oil candles can challenge even seasoned candle makers. The right troubleshooting knowledge and safety practices will help you enjoy your creations worry-free.

Fixing weak scent throw

Your essential oil candles might lack fragrance due to several reasons. The quality of oils plays a major role. Not all essential oils work equally well in candles—some have better "soy performance" ratings than others. To name just one example, cedarwood rates by a lot lower than other oils.

The type of wax could be the culprit. Soy wax's dense molecular structure can limit scent throw compared to paraffin. The temperature at which you add essential oils is a vital factor. Your wax should reach 185°F (85°C) before adding fragrance to ensure the best binding.

The amount of fragrance makes a huge difference. Begin with 5% to 10% essential oil in your wax. Your candles will "sweat" unsafely if you exceed what your wax can hold, usually 10-12% maximum.

Let your candles cure for at least one week before lighting them. This waiting period allows proper wax crystallization and even scent distribution.

What to do if wax cracks

Candles crack when they cool too fast. Keep room temperature steady and place candles away from drafts or air conditioning.

A heat gun can gently melt the surface to fill cracks as the wax resolidifies. You could also save extra wax during pouring to fix imperfections later.

Space candle containers 2-3 inches apart while they cool. A wire cooling rack helps air flow evenly beneath containers. Higher pouring temperatures and gentle stirring prevent trapped air bubbles.

Safe burning practices

Safety comes first—never leave burning candles unattended. Set them on stable, heat-resistant surfaces away from flammable items.

Keep wicks trimmed to ¼ inch before each use. This simple step prevents excess smoke and fire hazards. It helps candles burn evenly and reduces carbon buildup.

Light your candles for 2-4 hours at a time. This prevents container overheating while ensuring complete top surface melting.

Use a snuffer instead of blowing out candles to avoid hot wax splatters. Stop using candles when ¼ inch of wax remains at the bottom—this protects your container from overheating.

Conclusion

Essential oil candles blend creativity, craftsmanship, and natural fragrance beautifully. This piece covers everything from picking quality waxes to creating captivating essential oil blends. Making your own candles gives you natural ingredients and lets you add your personal touch to each creation.

Your homemade candles work better than store-bought ones. They skip synthetic fragrances and harmful chemicals while giving you stronger, more authentic scents. You'll also save money after making just a few candles compared to buying high-quality natural ones.

Making great candles needs patience. Proper curing time, precise measurements, and safety steps will give you evenly burning candles that release scents well. You might face problems like tunneling or weak scent throw. But our troubleshooting tips help you fix these common issues easily.

Candle making goes beyond just the final product. Each candle shows your creativity and lets you express yourself through scent. Our Natural Collection of Essential Oils can lift your next candle project with rich, complex aromas.

Lighting a candle you've made yourself feels amazing, whether it's a gift or for your home. The flame's gentle flicker and natural essential oils' subtle release create something special. Without doubt, your handmade creations will light up any space with warmth, ambiance, and delightful fragrance that no mass-produced candle can match.

FAQs

What supplies do I need to make essential oil candles?

You'll need soy or beeswax, wicks, essential oils, a double boiler, thermometer, containers, and a stirring utensil. Choose heat-safe containers and cotton or wood wicks sized appropriately for your containers.

How much essential oil should I add to my candles?

For a standard 8 oz candle, use about 1/2 ounce (approximately 300 drops) of essential oil. This typically translates to 6-10% fragrance load for soy wax candles.

What's the best temperature to add essential oils when making candles?

Add essential oils when the wax temperature reaches around 185°F (85°C). This ensures optimal binding between the oils and wax without damaging the fragrance compounds.

How can I make my essential oil candles smell stronger?

Use oils with naturally potent aromas like cinnamon, eucalyptus, and lavender. Allow candles to cure for 1-2 weeks before burning. Keep finished candles covered between uses to preserve their fragrance.

How do I prevent my candles from tunneling?

On the first burn, allow the entire top layer to melt completely from edge to edge. This creates a "memory" in the wax that helps prevent tunneling in future burns. Also, trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each lighting.