DIY Scented Candles: The Best Project to Do for Yourself

When it comes to creating their homes and adding a little pizazz to their abodes, most people tend to stick to adding new furniture and decor. But what about creating new scents? While you can always just buy and replace the old ones, creating your own candles is way more cost-effective and requires less time. And the best part? You can choose the scent you want and even specialise in a particular fragrance category. So, if you’re ready to get started, here are 6 easy steps to make your own candles and add a lovely scent to your home.
 
Step 1: Gather materials
 
The first step to making your own candles is to gather the necessary materials. First and foremost, you’ll need a few containers to store your candles. Also, you’ll need wax and fragrance of your choice, wick, container filler, a funnel, a digital scale, jars and lids, scissors, and a spatula.
 
Step 2: Melt the wax
 
The next step is to melt your wax. You’ll first need to measure the amount of wax you’ll need to do this. This will depend on the size of the container you’re using and the strength of the fragrance.
 
Take your containers, fill them with water and place them in an oven set between 54 and 64 degrees Celsius. Let the water boil for about 20 minutes and then take the containers out and let them cool. Once the wax is melted, it should be warm to the touch but not hot enough to cause burns. Place your containers on a heat-resistant surface and place a measuring cup on the side of the wax. Slowly pour the wax into the measuring cup, letting it fill up until the wax reaches the two-cup mark. Be careful, as it will be very hot.
 
Step 3: Pour the wax
 
Your next step is to pour the wax into your containers. Once you’ve done this, you’ll want to let the wax cool completely. This process is called “cure time”, and it allows the wax to harden.
 
You can speed up the process by placing the containers in an area at room temperature. The longer the wax is out, the longer it will take to harden. While the wax is cooling, you can get started on your containers. You’ll first want to choose containers that are wide enough to hold a lot of wax. You can also opt for glass containers, as they’re easy to clean, but you’ll want to make sure they’re shatterproof.
 
Step 4: Add the fragrance
 
Your next step is to add your scent. Depending on the scent you’re using, you can either add it directly to the wax or a fragrance base. Measure out your scent and then add it directly to your fragrance base or wax. You can also opt to make your own fragrance base. First, you’ll need to mix the fragrance oil with fractionated coconut oil in a double-boiler. Let the mixture simmer for about 30 minutes until it reaches a melted consistency. The mixture should be thick enough to stick to a spoon but still easy to pour.
 
Step 5: Wrap and cure the candle
 
Your next step is to wrap your candles. Depending on the size of the container you’re using, you’ll want to make sure to cover the candle in one layer of plastic or aluminium foil. You want to make sure the wax does not come into contact with air, as this will ruin the scent. Place your candles in the containers, ensuring they are not touching each other. If the wax is still too hot, you can place the containers in an area at room temperature until the wax cools down.
 
Step 6: Enjoy your New Candle!
 
Your last step is to enjoy your new candles! You can do this by warming your new candles in the microwave and then placing them in an area where the scent is allowed to permeate the air.
 
As with any home DIY project, you can use a few tips and tricks to make the process smoother. First, try to choose containers that are equal in height and width. While you can always trim the wax, you don’t want to cut the containers, as this can cause the candles to look uneven. Also, when you’re wrapping the candles, make sure to do so in a single layer of foil, as this will help with the scent getting out. And lastly, when it comes to curing your candles, place them in the containers and not directly on the countertop, as this will ruin the scent.
 
Conclusion
 
Making your own candles is a great way to reduce costs and make homemade scents. You can even take it a step further and make your own moulds to create unique fragrances. All you need is a little creativity, and you can have your very own homemade candles.
 
If you’re looking for more DIY projects, you might want to look at our perfume-making workshops. Learn more about the art of fragrance-making through a hands-on experience, ideal for those looking for a wellness team activity or a bridal shower activity to do in Singapore. Find out more about Perfume Workshop through this link!