Fall is here and that means all the cozy things! I'm definitely a candle lighting, cozy sock wearing, blanket cuddling type girl. If I bought all the candles I love to burn, I'd be broke. They just add such a warm and magical feeling to the home!
BUT, have you seen the labels on some of these candles in the store? YIKES. They're full of synthetic chemicals and fragrances, half of which I can't even pronounce.
"Most scented candles contain paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum, coal or shale oil. When it’s burnt, paraffin wax releases toxic compounds into the air, including acetone, benzene, and toluene – all known carcinogens."
I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like my cup of tea. Candle wicks can also be a source of concern. Some having toxic chemicals released when burning. Not only is it potentially harmful to our health, but it's also destroying our environment. Now a disclaimer, the scientific community is debating wether or not candles release enough toxic chemicals for them to cause human health concerns. It's not wether or not they DO release toxins that are cancer causing agents. That alone is enough for me to steer clear from the commercially made ones.
The way I see it, if they can cause allergic reactions in people, then they're hazardous. I know personally I feel sick when passing stores like Bath and Body Works. The perfumes and fragrances that waft from that store, are enough to drop an elephant. I actually used to love that store. In high school I ALWAYS made my way into there and bought ALL the things. It wasn't until I got married and was introduced to essential oils, that I learned how harmful those things were. I was determined to find a healthier alternative, because I was not about to give up my cozy candles.
So, how in the world can we enjoy our cozy candles without potentially harming ourselves? Well I'm glad you asked!
After doing a bit of research I've found that there are several alternative waxes that burn much cleaner than paraffin. These include (but definitely not limited to):
- Soy Wax
- Beeswax
- Coconut Wax
Today I'm just focusing on soy wax, since I use it the most right now. Although, I've also used beeswax a bit too!
This recipe is super simple and you probably have most of these ingredients at home already! Here's what you'll need:
Supplies
- Soy Wax (or other natural wax)
- Natural Fiber Wicks (I like these ones)
- Essential Oils (I use doTERRA brand because I trust their quality + sourcing, if you want to learn more about the oils I use click here)
- Wick Stickers (you can also jus dab the end of the wick in some hot wax + stick it to the bottom of your container. I did this for years, but the wick stickers are so much easier because they don't move when you start pouring the got wax)
- Wooden Clothespins
- Glass Jars (can also be ceramic, metal, really anything that can hold hot wax. I've even recycled some old candle jars from the store!)
- Candle Labels (I've included a freebie for you at the end of this post!)
- Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons
- Glass Pyrex Measuring Cup (if you choose not to use a microwave you'll still need this)
- Double Boiling (or a glass bowl over a simmering pot of water) *OPTIONAL
- Candle Thermometer *OPTIONAL
- Parchment Paper
Step by Step
First things first, gather all your supplies.
Measure your wax. A good rule of thumb is to double the number in ounces of your container. For example, if you have a 4 oz glass jar, you'll need about 1 cup of wax. When the chips melt down, they usually melt to about half their volume. Another way of doing it is to just measuring on a food scale the number of ounces you have in your container. So if you have a 4 oz jar, you'll measure 4 oz of wax. You may be left with a bit extra when doing this, but that's ok!
If you're using a microwave, place the wax chips into your pyrex and microwave on high in one minute intervals, until all the wax is melted. If you're using the double boiler system, place a glass bowl on top of a simmering pot of water. Dump your wax chips into the glass bowl and stir until melted.
Now the fun part! You want to wait a little bit before adding your essential oils to the melted wax. The correct temperature is 185 degrees Fahrenheit, although it could be as low as 170 degrees Fahrenheit. You can always check with your wax manufacturer to see what they recommend for their wax. I always just eyeball it. But, if you are just starting out it can be helpful to have a thermometer like this one. Once your wax is at the right temperature, stir in your essential oils. How much you use is really up to you. Keep in mind, the scent will fade a bit once the wax is hardened. As a good rule of thumb you can use ½ to 1 ounce oil per 1 lb of wax. That usually translates to about 15ml of oil per 1 lb of wax. I personally like a stronger scented candle usually, so I tend to go on the higher end of that range.
Once your wax and essential oils are mixed together well, place a wick sticker on the bottom of your wick and center it at the bottom of your container. If you don't have wick stickers, you can also just dip the bottom of the wick into the hot wax and place that at the bottom of your container. Just make sure to let it harden before you pour your wax in. The only problem with the last method, is when you pour that hot wax into the container, it can melt the wax you used to hold your wick in place. This can be super frustrating because then your wick is sliding all over the place.
When your wick is in place, use a clothes pin (or skewer if your container mouth is too wide) to hold the top of the wick in place.)
Next, pour your wax into your container, making sure to leave about a ¼ of an inch from the top. Let your candle cure for 24 hours before cutting the excess wick off.
You may spill (that's okay, that's what the parchment paper is for). Just wipe down the outsides before placing your labels. Now this is the hard part. DO NOT burn your candle right away. You want that baby to cure for a while. A week is recommended (I know I know) but you'll be glad you waited!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! These candles make great gifts for Christmas, birthdays and more! Be sure to add labels to add a special touch to your candles.
Note: you can also add some coconut oil into your wax which helps it burn more evenly, although I haven't really had an issue.
*disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase through my links.
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