Why Make Your Own Candles?

Candle making is one of the most satisfying crafts you can take up at home. You control every ingredient — the wax type, fragrance, wick, and colour — and the end result is a personalised product that makes a wonderful gift or a beautiful addition to your own home. Best of all, it's far more affordable than buying premium artisan candles once you've invested in the basic supplies.

What You'll Need

Equipment

  • Double boiler or a heatproof pouring pitcher and a saucepan
  • Thermometer (a simple candy or digital thermometer works perfectly)
  • Stirring spoon or spatula (dedicated to candle making)
  • Kitchen scale
  • Wick centering tool or two pencils/chopsticks

Materials

  • Soy wax flakes — container-grade soy wax works best for jar candles
  • Pre-tabbed cotton wicks — sized to match your jar diameter
  • Fragrance oil or essential oils — candle-safe, at roughly 6–10% of your wax weight
  • Glass jars — clean Mason jars, old jam jars, or purpose-made candle jars
  • Wick stickers or a dab of hot glue — to anchor the wick to the jar bottom

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare your jars. Clean your jars thoroughly and let them dry completely. Warm them slightly (a few seconds in a warm oven or with a heat gun) to help the wax adhere better and reduce sinkholes.
  2. Anchor the wick. Use a wick sticker or small dot of hot glue to fix the metal tab of your wick to the centre of the jar's bottom. Let it set firmly before moving on.
  3. Melt the soy wax. Weigh your soy wax flakes and melt them in your double boiler. Heat gently until the wax is fully liquid — typically around 75–80°C (165–175°F). Avoid overheating.
  4. Add fragrance oil. Remove the wax from heat and let it cool to around 65–70°C (150–160°F) before adding your fragrance oil. This temperature helps the fragrance bind properly without it flashing off. Stir slowly and thoroughly for at least 2 minutes.
  5. Pour the wax. Carefully pour the scented wax into your prepared jars, leaving about 1–1.5 cm at the top. Use your wick centering tool or two pencils resting across the jar rim to keep the wick perfectly upright.
  6. Let it cure. Allow candles to cool at room temperature — don't move them or place them in the fridge, as this causes cracking. Once fully set (at least 24 hours), trim the wick to about 6mm before the first burn.
  7. Cure before burning. For the best scent throw, allow soy candles to cure for a full 48–72 hours after pouring before lighting them for the first time.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Sinkholes or craters: This happens as wax contracts when cooling. Reserve a small amount of wax and do a second pour to top up any dips.
  • Frosting (white bloom on surface): This is a natural property of soy wax and doesn't affect burn quality. It's actually a sign of natural soy wax.
  • Weak scent throw: Make sure you're using candle-safe fragrance oil at the correct ratio and that you added it at the right temperature.
  • Tunneling: Ensure your wick is the correct size for your jar diameter — an undersized wick is the most common cause.

Tips for Your Best Results

Keep notes on each batch — wax weight, fragrance percentage, pour temperature, and cure time. This makes it much easier to replicate success and troubleshoot problems. Over time, you'll develop your own perfected formula and signature scents that are uniquely yours.