CANDLE MAKING TUTORIAL

Learn how to make beautiful homemade candles using different waxes, moulds, fragrances, colours and wicks.

1. WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Candle wax

Candle moulds or candle-safe containers

Candle wicks

Wick sustainer tabs

Wick stickers or suitable adhesive

Wick centering device

Digital scale

Heat-resistant pouring jug

Double boiler or wax melter

Thermometer

Stirring spoon

Candle dye

Candle fragrance oil

Paper towel

Gloves

Heat-resistant work surface

2. TYPES OF CANDLES

There are many different types of candles that can be made.

CONTAINER CANDLES

Wax is poured directly into a candle-safe glass jar, tin or container.

PILLAR CANDLES

Wax is poured into a mould and removed once completely set.

DECORATIVE CANDLES

These can be made using decorative moulds such as flowers, animals, geometric shapes, bubbles and other designs.

TEALIGHT CANDLES

Small candles made in individual cups.

WAX MELTS

Wax and fragrance are poured into moulds without a wick. They are melted in a suitable wax warmer.

MASSAGE CANDLES

Massage candles require a specially formulated wax blend and ingredients that are suitable for skin application. Ordinary candle wax should not be used on the skin unless it has been specifically formulated and tested for this purpose.

3. CHOOSING YOUR WAX

SOY WAX

Soy wax is commonly used for container candles. It produces a creamy appearance and is popular for scented candles.

PARAFFIN WAX

Paraffin wax is versatile and can be used for container, pillar and decorative candles.

COCONUT WAX

Coconut wax is often used in wax blends and can produce a smooth and luxurious-looking candle.

WAX BLENDS

Different waxes can be blended to improve hardness, appearance, scent throw, burning performance and mould release.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific wax you are using.

4. CALCULATING FRAGRANCE

Fragrance is normally calculated as a percentage of the wax weight.

For example:

500 g wax at 8% fragrance

500 g × 8% = 40 g fragrance

Therefore:

500 g wax 40 g fragrance

Total batch weight = 540 g

Always check the recommended fragrance load for your particular wax and fragrance oil.

Using too much fragrance can cause poor burning, smoking, soot, oil seepage and other problems.

5. PREPARING YOUR CONTAINER OR MOULD

Make sure the container or mould is clean and completely dry.

Select the correct wick.

Attach the wick to the centre of the container or mould.

Secure the wick firmly.

Place a wick centering device across the top.

The wick must remain straight and centred while the candle sets.

6. MELTING THE WAX

Weigh the required amount of wax.

Place the wax into your melting jug.

Melt the wax using a double boiler or suitable wax melter.

Monitor the temperature using a thermometer.

Heat the wax only to the temperature recommended by the wax manufacturer.

NEVER LEAVE MELTING WAX UNATTENDED.

Never heat candle wax directly over an open flame.

7. ADDING COLOUR

If you want a coloured candle, add a candle-specific dye to the melted wax.

Stir thoroughly until the dye has completely dissolved.

Use only colourants specifically designed for candles.

Do not use food colouring or water-based colouring in wax.

8. ADDING FRAGRANCE

Allow the wax to cool to the temperature recommended by the wax manufacturer and fragrance supplier.

Weigh your fragrance accurately.

Add the fragrance to the wax.

Stir slowly and thoroughly for approximately 1–2 minutes, or according to the supplier’s instructions.

Good fragrance incorporation is important for achieving good scent throw.

9. POURING THE CANDLE

Before pouring, check that:

The wick is centred.

The container or mould is stable.

The wax is at the recommended pouring temperature.

Your work surface is protected.

Slowly pour the wax into the container or mould.

Avoid creating unnecessary bubbles.

Do not fill a container completely to the rim. Leave the recommended space at the top.

10. ALLOW THE CANDLE TO SET

Place the candle on a level, stable surface.

Allow it to cool naturally.

Keep it away from draughts, children and pets.

Do not move the candle while the wax is setting.

Rapid cooling can contribute to cracking, frosting, sinkholes and uneven surfaces.

11. TOPPING UP SINKHOLES

Some waxes, especially certain soy waxes, may develop a depression around the wick as they cool.

If necessary:

Allow the candle to cool completely.

Reheat a small amount of wax.

Carefully fill the depression.

Allow the candle to cool again.

Follow the recommendations for your particular wax.

12. CURING THE CANDLE

Curing allows the wax and fragrance to settle and develop.

The recommended curing time depends on the type of wax.

Many container candles benefit from a longer curing period before testing or use.

Always follow the curing recommendations supplied with your wax.

13. TRIMMING THE WICK

Before burning the candle, trim the wick to approximately 5 mm.

A wick that is too long can produce a large flame, smoking and soot.

Always burn test your finished candle before selling it.

14. CANDLE BURN TESTING

Every new candle formula should be burn tested.

Check:

Flame size

Melt pool

Burning time

Smoking

Soot

Container temperature

Wick performance

Scent throw

Evenness of burning

Different combinations of wax, fragrance, container and wick can behave differently.

If you change the wax, fragrance, fragrance percentage, container or wick, the candle should be tested again.

15. THE FIRST BURN

For a container candle, allow the first burn to continue long enough for the melted wax to reach close to the edges of the container.

Do not burn candles for excessively long periods.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Always follow the safety recommendations for the particular candle and container.

16. COMMON CANDLE PROBLEMS

TUNNELLING

The candle burns down the centre while wax remains around the sides.

Possible causes include:

Wick is too small.

Incorrect burning time.

Incorrect wax and wick combination.

LARGE FLAME

Possible causes include:

Wick is too large.

Wick is too long.

Incorrect wick selection.

Too much fragrance.

SMOKING

Possible causes include:

Wick is too long.

Wick is too large.

Incorrect wick.

Candle is burning in a draught.

WEAK SCENT

Possible causes include:

Incorrect fragrance percentage.

Unsuitable fragrance.

Poor fragrance incorporation.

Insufficient curing time.

Unsuitable wax and fragrance combination.

WET SPOTS

Wax may sometimes pull away from the sides of a container and create patches that look wet.

This can be affected by:

Wax type.

Cooling temperature.

Container temperature.

Cooling conditions.

Wet spots are often cosmetic and do not necessarily mean that the candle is unsafe.

17. CANDLE SAFETY

Always keep candles away from curtains, paper and other flammable materials.

Keep candles away from children and pets.

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Keep the candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface.

Keep the wick trimmed.

Never move a candle while it is burning or while the wax is liquid.

Do not burn a candle all the way to the bottom.

Stop using a container candle when only a small amount of wax remains.

Do not place dried flowers, herbs, leaves, crystals or other combustible decorations near the flame unless the candle has been specifically designed and tested for safe burning.

18. MAKING MOULDED CANDLES

Prepare and secure the wick in the mould.

Melt the wax.

Add candle dye if required.

Add fragrance if suitable for the wax.

Stir thoroughly.

Pour the wax into the mould.

Allow the candle to cool completely.

Remove the candle from the mould.

Trim the wick.

Inspect the candle for defects.

Burn test before selling.

19. MAKING WAX MELTS

Wax melts do not require a wick.

Melt the wax.

Add candle-safe colour if desired.

Add fragrance at the recommended percentage.

Stir thoroughly.

Pour into the wax melt mould.

Allow to cool completely.

Remove from the mould.

Package and label.

Wax melts must be used in a suitable wax warmer according to the warmer manufacturer’s instructions.

20. KEEP A BATCH RECORD

For professional candle making, keep a record of every batch.

Record:

Date

Wax type

Wax quantity

Fragrance name

Fragrance percentage

Fragrance quantity

Colour

Wick type and size

Container or mould

Pouring temperature

Curing time

Burn-test results

Batch number

Any observations

FUN WITH SOAP CANDLE-MAKING TIP

Do not change several things at once when troubleshooting a candle.

If your candle does not burn correctly, change one variable at a time.

For example:

Test 1 – Wick A

Test 2 – Wick B

Test 3 – Wick C

Keep the wax, fragrance, fragrance percentage and container the same.

This makes it easier to determine which wick works best.

REMEMBER:

A beautiful candle is not enough.

A good candle should be:

BEAUTIFUL + WELL MADE + PROPERLY TESTED + SAFE TO BURN

Always follow the technical and safety instructions supplied by your wax, fragrance and wick manufacturers.

FUN WITH SOAP Founded 2006 www.funwithsoap.co.za