Easily make your own homemade soy candles using just 2 simple ingredients – soy wax flakes and the essential oil of your choice. Enjoy 50% longer burning with soy candles and fewer toxins in the air.
I have been wanting to make my own candles for so, so long and I finally got up the courage to give it a try. I have no idea why I was so intimidated. It is really a simple process! They make such wonderful gifts for the Holidays.
As I mentioned last weekend, now that I have my wonderful essential oil starter kit I am so excited to start putting them to great uses making some fun new things. They are another nice gift if you need an idea for someone.
After doing research, I decided to make soy candles because they burn so much cleaner burning and do not emit carbon dioxide into the air. I also order low smoke Natural Candle Wicks to lessen the chemicals emitted even more. No soot is good!
Another great benefit of soy candles is they burn 50% longer than regular paraffin candles! Cleaner and longer…..I’m in!
Paraffin candles release a petro-carbon soot that stains your walls, furniture and is circulated through your air ducts. This soot, according to the American Lung Association, contains 11 documented toxins, 2 of which are known carcinogens — toluene and benzene. Source
I also thought I needed a special wax melting pot or something. But all you really need is a microwave and a glass measuring cup. Or you can also create your own double boiler with just a large saucepan and the glass measuring cup to put in it.
I actually set up both ways to test which was easiest. The microwave method is definitely faster but they both work perfectly to melt the soy wax flakes.
After melting the wax, simply add about 10 drops of the essential oil of your choice. We choose peppermint for the Holidays and lavender to relax to. You can blend different oils as well like Cinnamon and Orange or Lemon and Lavender.
Supplies Needed for Soy Candles
Essential oils of your choice
Clothes pins
Large sauce pan (if not using a microwave)
How to Make Soy Candles
Place 1 cup of soy flakes the glass measuring cup and microwave for 30 seconds. Then stir and repeat at 30-second intervals until it is completely melted and in liquid form. Keep adding in flakes as it is melting down. Approx. 7 cups of soy flakes make 4 – 8 oz mason jar candles.
You can use a larger glass measuring cup if you have one as well.
(If you are not using a microwave, place a glass measuring cup in a large saucepan filled halfway with water. Turn the heat on medium and add soy flakes to the measuring cup to melt)
Continue to add more flakes as it will be melting down as you heat it.
For each full cup of melted wax, add 20 drops of the essential oils of your choice.
Dip the end of a wick into the melted wax and place it into the bottom of the mason jar. You can also apply hot glue to the end of the wick and glue it into the mason jar.
Place a clothespin onto the end of the wick so that it holds it in place.
Pour the wax into each mason jar about 1/4 of the way full. Let sit for about 5 minutes and then fill the rest of the way up.
Let sit for at least 4 hours before using.
Trim the wick to about 1 inch.
Pat yourself on the back and ENJOY your new candles!!!
Homemade Soy Candles
Equipment
- Clothespins
- Glass Measuring Cup
- Large saucepan (if not using a microwave)
Ingredients
- 7 cups Natural Soy Wax Flakes
- 4 Natural Candle Wicks
- 20 drops Essential oils of your choice
- 4 8 oz mason jars
- 4 Clothespins
Instructions
- Place 1 cup of soy flakes the glass measuring cup and microwave for 30 seconds. Then stir and repeat at 30-second intervals until it is completely melted and in liquid form. Keep adding in flakes as it is melting down.
- Approx. 7 cups of soy flakes make 4 - 8 oz mason jar candles.
- You can use a larger glass measuring cup if you have one as well.
- (If you are not using a microwave, place a glass measuring cup in a large saucepan filled halfway with water. Turn the heat on medium and add soy flakes to the measuring cup to melt)
- Continue to add more flakes as it will be melting down as you heat it.
- For each full cup of melted wax, add 20 drops of the essential oils of your choice.
- Dip the end of a wick into the melted wax and place it into the bottom of the mason jar. You can also apply hot glue to the end of the wick and glue it into the mason jar.
- Place a clothespin onto the end of the wick so that it holds it in place.
- Pour the wax into each mason jar about 1/4 of the way full. Let them sit for about 5 minutes and then fill the rest of the way up.
- Let sit for at least 4 hours before using.
- Trim the wick to about 1 inch.
Notes
If you are interested, the Young Living Premium Starter Kit I have includes 11 of the most popular essential oils as well as a diffuser and several other goodies for $160.00. The oils included are Lavender, Peppermint, Lemon, Panaway, Purification, Thieves, Frankincense, Copaiba, RC, Digize, and StressAway.
Rita Joy @ Harbour Breeze Home
These look like so much fun to make! About how many candles of that size would 10 pounds of soy wax flakes make?
Maria
Just want to let you know that I looked at the natural wicks you provided the link for, but it states that the wicks are coated with paraffin.
Kelsi
Hi there,
Where did you purchase those labels? Everytime I search labels it comes up as customizable ones. I’d just like plain labels to write on like you’ve done.
Thanks!
Graham
With 100% soy candles, when it melts, you can rub the oil onto your skin. Great massage method
katee mcneely
Im so excited to finally start making homemade candles ! Thank you for your tips.
Alison Eardley
Hi! i’ve just finished making my four mulled wine soy candles… fingers crossed they turn out ok! just a quick question, how do you clean the jug? I used a plastic jug but is there any special method for cleaning up?
Thanks!
nancy
Where do you buy soy flakes
Sherri
I ordered these Soy Flakes from Amazon. But I think I have also seen them at Hobby Lobby if you have one nearby. 🙂
Yunni
Hi! Your candles are very nice! I like them!
Such a good idea to use pins for holding wicks! Perfect!
Thanks for your idea and tutorial!
KR!
ninette womack
My candle just through the center and not all the wax. Do you know how to stop this from happening?
stacy
The key is to let whole top layer melt before you blow it out so it burns down evenly
personalized labels
Easy instructions to follow. This could be a great idea for a home-based business.
swathi
Looks like nice candles, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning and tweeting. Happy New Year to you and your family.
April J Harris
What lovely candles! I’ve heard that soy candles are much better for you than traditional wax. Thank you for sharing this post with us at Hearth and Soul. Hope to see you again on Monday! Happy New Year!
Jennifer Dawn
You make it look so easy! I love this tutorial. We’re big fans of YL essential oils, so it’s exciting to learn another use for them. We’re featuring this at our weekly link party! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2015/12/8-things-to-make-this-winter-and-little.html
Sherri
Thank you so much! 🙂
Laura Adams
Can you add food coloring to the liquid?
Sherri
Yes you absolutely can 🙂
Kelsey
I love this idea! I have heard of people making their own candle but was really unsure of the process, it looks so easy! I love that they are cleaner burning to! Defiantly going to try these out!
Thanks!
Julie @ Logger's Wife
I had no idea all the benefits of soy candles! I rarely burn candles anymore as I have three crazy cats, an active 3.5 year old, and another baby on the way. But this would be so great for Christmas presents! Thanks for sharing over at the Monday’s Musings link-up.
Judy Turnbull
At this time of year I’m always wanting to spend some extra time making homemade things. These look so simple and beautiful to make! Looking forward to trying them out 🙂
Cat
These are awesome! They would make really great gifts for neighbors and friends. Thanks for sharing!
giveawaypost
I am going to make the candle