How can you make candles yourself?

Apr 2, 2025

How to make candles?

Making your own candles can be a really fun hobby for young and old.

It has many advantages and benefits. More on that later.

In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into the candle-making process, what you need, what materials you can use, and who this hobby is suitable for. We'll also answer the most important question of this blog post: how do you make your own candles?

Read on quickly and take a digital workshop on how to make your own candles.

Why make your own candles?

Making your own candles is relaxing and has many benefits.

Creativity : You can customize the candles entirely to your own style. You can choose your own colors, scents, and shapes.

Personal : By using your creativity, you can make them completely personal and surprise your friends and family with handmade candles as a gift.

Meditation : Candle making can be a calming and meditative process.

Sustainable : By using natural and sustainable materials, you make ecologically responsible candles.

What do you need?

Here's a list of supplies you'll need to make your own candles.

The 3 most common types of wax for making candles are paraffin wax, soy wax and beeswax.

Was:

Paraffin is the least expensive of the three and was used as the standard in almost all candles. You'll often see differences in quality, durability, and price. The cheapest candles you can buy are usually made with paraffin.

Nowadays, candles are also made from beeswax. A natural wax with a wonderful scent, but more expensive.

The candles we sell are made from soy wax. These eco-friendly candles are more sustainable and healthier, with cleaner combustion. Besides beeswax, this is the most commonly used to make healthy candles.

Candle wick :

It is very important to choose the right size and type of wick depending on the diameter of the candles you want to make.

Other ingredients for candle making

Colorants and fragrances :

Dyes : Specific dyes for candles or natural dyes such as herbs.

Fragrance Oils : Make sure you use fragrances that are safe for use in candles.

Other supplies for making your own candles

A double boiler or a melting pot : A double boiler is ideal for beginners to get started. For larger quantities or for professionals, a professional melting pot is better. These are available in many different shapes and sizes. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

Thermometer : You'll need this to check the temperature of the wax. As a starter, we recommend using a cheap, simple thermometer. Larger, more professional melting pots often come with a thermometer included.

Mold. Once the candles have reached the correct temperature, you can pour them into silicone or metal molds of various shapes and sizes. The mold you pour the wax into will ultimately determine the final look of your handmade candle.

Mixing spoons : For mixing colorants and fragrances.

Safety equipment

Gloves and apron : Protection against spills and cold.

Steps for making your own candles

Step 1: Prepare

Ensure you have a clean, safe workspace and have everything you need ready.

Step 2: Melt the wax

Fill the bottom of the double boiler with water and put the laundry in the top.

Heat gently over low heat, stirring frequently, until the wax is completely melted. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature (approximately 70-80°C).

With a professional melting pot, you only use wax and follow the steps above.

Step 3: Add Color and Fragrance

Once the wax has melted, you can add food coloring and fragrance oils. Start with a small amount and add more until you achieve the desired color and scent.

Step 4: Prepare the fuse

Attach the wick to the bottom of your mold. You can do this with some melted wax or a special wick holder.

Step 5: Pouring

Slowly pour the melted wax into the mold, making sure the wick stays upright. Leave it a few inches below the rim to compensate for any drying or shrinkage.

Step 6: Place and cool

Allow the candle to cool and harden completely. This may take several hours, depending on the size and thickness of the candle.

Step 7: Finishing

Once the candle has cooled, you can trim the wick to about 1 cm above the candle.

With these steps you can make your own rustic candle.

What shapes can you make yourself?

The selection of molds for making your own candles is enormous. There are countless possibilities for the kind of candles you can create. You can make animal candles, striped candles, and of course, many figurine candles. To challenge yourself, you can create the most unique and unusual candles. Below are a few examples of popular options:

Popular stump candle

A popular mold for making candles is the mold for the stump candle.

Small and large molds such as pillars are also easy to make.

House candle

The popular household candle, the long, thin one, is also a fairly easy one to make yourself with the right mold. However, you will always need a candle holder for this candle if you want to keep it burning.

Twisted candles

It looks like a normal household candle, but this candle is characterised by its twisted shape.

Simple molds

Finally, all simple molds, without any unusual shapes, are popular for DIY. Think small and large molds, as well as narrow, short, and wide shapes, allowing you to create the candle that suits your personality.

Who is this hobby suitable for?

Candle making is an accessible hobby for almost anyone who wants to discover a new hobby, has a passion for candles, or wants to develop their creativity.

Beginner or Experienced : Whether you're a beginner or more experienced, there are always new techniques and ideas to try.

Family activity : It's a fun activity for families, where children can also help (with safety in mind).

Creative Minds : If you love crafts, DIY projects, or art, then candle making is definitely for you!

Tips for successful candle making

Experiment with scents and colors : Be creative and try different combinations for unique candles.

Ensure good ventilation : When working with fragrances it is important to work in a well-ventilated area.

Be patient : Let your candles cure thoroughly for best results.

Making your own candles is a wonderful way to express your creativity, beautify your home, and create unique gifts. They're perfect for decoration, but you can also enjoy a cozy atmosphere with a homemade candle.

With the best molds and sustainable materials, and with a little patience, you can create beautiful and fragrant candles. So grab your supplies and let your creativity run wild!

We hope you enjoyed this online candle-making course. Besides the digital workshop, you can also attend several in-person workshops to learn how to make candles.

We sell handmade candles in our webshop, made from sustainable soy wax. See our selection of decorative candles below.

Decorative candles | Handmade collection. Great as a gift or for decoration – Pure Supreme Store

And don't forget our wax melts. The most popular fragrance diffuser of the moment!

Wax melts | High quality & perfect fragrance diffusers! – Pure Supreme Store

We warmly welcome you to browse our webshop to find the perfect candle or candles for you. If you have any questions, we're happy to help!