DIY Guide: How to Make Your Own Scented Soy Wax Candle

Crafting your own scented soy wax candle is a great way to add home decor while enjoying the soothing warmth of a handmade creation.

Making your own scented soy wax candle at home is a rewarding and creative way to add a personal touch to your space. Whether you’re a crafting enthusiast or simply looking to try something new, this project is a great way to explore your creative side while making something functional and beautiful. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a fragrant, hand-poured soy wax candle.

Soy Wax Candles are Eco-Friendly and Sustainable

Soy wax has natural ingredients made from soybean oil. Unlike paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum, soy wax is biodegradable and burns cleaner, producing less soot and smoke. By making your own homemade candles, you can reduce your reliance on mass-produced products and support environmentally friendly practices.

How to get the Perfect scented soy wax candle fragrance

Fragrance load in candle making refers to the percentage of fragrance oil added to the wax in relation to the total weight of the wax. It determines how much scent your candle will hold and how strong the aroma will be when the candle is burned (hot throw) or when it’s unlit (cold throw).

The fragrance load is typically measured as a percentage of the wax weight. For example:

If you have 1 pound (16 ounces) of wax and want to use a 10% fragrance load, you would add 1.6 ounces of fragrance oil.
For a 6% fragrance load, you would use 0.96 ounces of fragrance oil per pound of wax.

Pro Tip: I’ve found that using 1 ounce of fragrance per 1 pound of wax creates a great fragrance load, and I haven’t encountered any issues with this ratio.

Why Fragrance Load Matters in Scented Soy Wax Candles

Hot and Cold Throw: A higher fragrance load can enhance both the hot throw (scent when burning) and cold throw (scent before burning).
Wax Integrity:Adding more fragrance oil than the wax can hold may cause issues like:
- Poor scent throw.
- Excess oil pooling on the candle's surface.
- Difficulty in achieving a proper cure.
Burn Performance: Overloading fragrance can also affect the way the candle burns, potentially clogging the wick or causing uneven burning.

Understanding fragrance load helps you create candles with the perfect scent strength and performance!

What You’ll Need for a Scented Soy Wax Candle

Soy wax melts
Fragrance oils / natural essential oils (1 ounce for every pound of wax)
Pouring pot or melting pot
Large pot (for a double boiler)
Thermometer (candy or meat thermometer)
Stirring utensil
Candle containers (like jars or tins)
Candle wicks (wood wicks recommended here)
Wick sticker or adhesive dots

Step 1: Measure Your Soy Wax

Start by measuring the amount of wax needed. A general rule of thumb is to use 1 ounce of fragrance oil for every pound of wax. Add the wax to your pouring pot.

Step 2: Melt the Soy Wax

Place your pouring pot into a larger pot with about an inch of water to create a double boiler. Bring the water to a gentle boil on medium heat, allowing the wax to melt slowly. Stir frequently to ensure even melting.

Step 3: Monitor the Temperature

Once the wax is completely melted, use a thermometer to check the temperature. A candy thermometer that clips onto the side of the pot works best, but a meat thermometer will also do the trick. Heat the wax to 185°F, as this is the optimal temperature for mixing in your fragrance oil.

Step 4: Add Your Fragrance to your Scented Soy Wax Candle

Remove the pouring pot from the stove once the melted wax reaches 185°F. Immediately add your fragrance oil, and stir the mixture 20 to 30 times to ensure the oil fully integrates with the wax.

Step 5: Let the Wax Cool

Allow the wax to cool to a temperature between 140°F and 135°F, stirring occasionally. This step is crucial because pouring wax too hot can cause sinking in the middle of the candle as it sets.

Step 6: Prepare Your Containers

While your wax is cooling, get your containers ready by attaching the bottom of the wick to your container. The easiest way to do this is with adhesive stickers, but hot glue can work too.

If you’re using wood wicks, secure them to the bottom of the container using the adhesive stickers that come with them. Make sure the wicks are centered.

Since I’m using wood wicks, wick holders aren’t necessary. However, if you’re using cotton wicks, you’ll need wick holders to keep them upright. Simply place the wick holder on top of the jar or container to hold the wick in place. Alternatively, you can use a popsicle stick for this purpose.

Step 7: Pour the Wax

Once the wax has cooled to the ideal temperature range (140°F to 135°F), carefully pour the hot wax into your prepared containers. Pour slowly to avoid air bubbles and ensure a smooth surface.

Step 8: Let Your Scented Wax Soy Wax Candles Cure

Allow your candles to cool completely. This can take several hours. For the best results, let the candles cure for at least 24 hours before lighting them.

Tips for Success in candle making

Choose the Right Containers: Heat-safe candle jars or tins are ideal for candles.
Experiment with Scents: Try different fragrance blends to create custom scents.
Trim Your Wicks: Before lighting your candle, trim the wick to about ¼ inch for a clean burn.

Creating the Perfect Homemade Gift

Making homemade natural scented soy wax candles is a wonderful way to create a thoughtful gift for any occasion. Whether it’s for holidays, birthdays, or housewarmings, these candles offer a unique touch that store-bought gifts simply can’t match.

You can customize them with a variety of scents, colors, and containers. Plus, scented soy wax candles are eco-friendly, clean-burning, and long-lasting, making them a special gift. The effort and care that go into crafting these candles make them a meaningful gesture that anyone will appreciate.

Homemade soy candles is not only fun but also allows you to create unique, personalized gifts or home decor items. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy the satisfaction of handcrafting candles that fill your space with warmth and fragrance.

More Homemade Gift Ideas

Ready to light up your creativity? Give this DIY a try and enjoy the glow!

Happy Candle Making!

Brooke