Scented Soy Candles
By Sirena Van Schaik
Have you ever noticed that in today’s world we are offered choices for everything? The world isn’t a simple place with one or two choices and you’re done, nope, there are dozens of different mustards, thousands of different shoes, handfuls of companies offering you premium phone service and there are hundreds of different crafts that you can become a hobbyist in.
Yep, there are lots of choices and now you can open up your choice options with candles. No longer are you stuck with just paraffin wax candles but you can make gel, beeswax and even soy. And you aren’t stuck with plain smelling candles but you can have as many fragrances as there are essential oils for them.
If you are interested in making a scented soy candle, then you have come to the right place. Soy is a great wax to work with and it has the added bonus of not being toxic unlike some other waxes that are available. Scented soy candles are very easy to make and you will be left with a wonderfully smelling candle that everyone will love.
Any type of thick glass container that can withstand the heat of the melted wax will work.
What you need:
- Double Boiler: This can be a double boiler that you purchase for the special reason of candle making or it can be a pot filled with about 2 or 3 inches of water with a coffee can placed in the center of it.
- Soy Wax Flakes: You can purchase this at many craft stores in the candle making section of the store. It generally comes in a bag and is white in coloring.
- Wax Dye: If you are going to color the wax, you will need a good wax dye or even a crayon in your choice of color.
- Essential Oils: Choose a scent that you or the person you are making the candle for loves. Essential Oils are the undiluted oil that will give you the best fragrance.
- Wicks: You can purchase a pre-cut wick but I would recommend the uncut wicks so you can play around with the length to match your container.
- Glue: To attach the wick to the container.
- Glass Container: Jars are the popular choice for candles but you do not need to use them. Any type of thick glass container that can withstand the heat of the melted wax will work.
- Rubbing Alcohol: To clean the jars with.
- Pencil: This is for keeping the wick from slipping into the hot wax.
Directions:
- It is always important to prep your containers before you begin making any type of candle. Wash the glass container with soap and water and dry thoroughly. Then use the rubbing alcohol to remove all fingerprints and any residual oil that may be on the glass. Lastly, warm the glass in the oven at about 150°F until you are ready to pour the wax into it.
- Measure the wax flakes and pour them into the double boiler. The best way to do this is to measure out the wax flakes in a cold glass container. Add a bit more than the level that you would like to end with and multiply the amount by the number of containers you are filling.
- Place the double boiler on a medium-low heat and melt the wax. Make sure you check the temperature of the wax with a candy thermometer. It should reach about 160°F before it is done but match the temperature with the directions on the package.
- When it is about 150°F, add the wax dye. Make sure to add a bit more to create a color that is slightly darker than the desired effect since the die can fade when the candle hardens.
- While the wax is melting, add a small amount of glue to the bottom of the container, right in the center.
- Tie the wick to a pencil on one end and push the other end of the wick into the glue to attach it to the glass container. Set to the side.
- Once your wax melts, remove it from the stove and add the essential oils to it once it drops in temperature by 5 to 10 degrees. Stir well and then add the wax to the containers with the wick hanging in the center. The pencil, placed across the rim of the container, will keep the wick from sinking in the melted wax.
- Set to the side and allow the candles to harden.
To clean up excess wax that has spilt on the sides of the containers, you can simply place them back into the oven for a few minutes and then wipe the wax off carefully. Make sure you trim your candle wick down to ¼ inch above the wax.