Your home is your personal oasis away from the rest of the world, so it’s important that you make it as warm and inviting as possible. One of the best ways to do that is by making your house smell amazing.
There are a lot of products available on the market to help improve the smell of your home, including incense, sprays, and reed diffusers, but candles are among the most popular. In fact, people across the United States spend more than $3 billion per year on candles.
But why spend money on candles when you can make them yourself? In this article, we’ll share all of the necessary information that you should know to start crafting your own candles at home.
What supplies will you need?
There are a few essential supplies that you will need to start your candle-making venture, including wax paper, oven mitts, and a double boiler.
Then, head to your nearest craft store and pick up a wick, wax, and a heat-proof container. You can choose from a few different types of wax, including soy wax and paraffin. Soy wax is cleaner and more environmentally friendly because it’s made from vegetables, whereas paraffin is made from petroleum. However, petroleum-based candles emit a more potent scent (called a “throw”) as they burn.
While these items can be purchased individually, you can also find homemade candle kits, which typically include those supplies, plus fragrance, color, and step-by-step instructions.
How do you make the candles?
First, prepare your surface. Candle wax can easily drip and splatter, so put down wax paper or newspaper on your workspace to protect your counter.
Next, make sure your container is completely clean and dry. From there, you’ll measure out your wax. As a typical rule of thumb, you should buy one pound of wax for every 20 ounces of volume in your candles.
Now it’s time to melt down the wax. For safety reasons, you’ll need to do this in a double boiler. Cook the wax until it’s liquified before letting it sit for a few minutes. When the temperature reaches 140°F, it’s ready.
Attach the wick to your container using superglue, hot glue, or by sticking the bottom of the wick in wax and quickly pressing it to the bottom of the vessel. Then, while holding the wick in place, carefully pour the wax into the jar. Allow the wax to cool before trimming the wick to a length of ½ inch.
Candle making is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby that’s perfect to try as a family. As you master the o basic steps, you can begin to experiment with more advanced techniques, like adding color and fragrance or using different types of containers. Unleash your creative side!
Not only do candles make your home smell incredible, but they’re also beautiful pieces of decor that can accent your interior design. And they’ll enhance your space even more when you can tell your guests that you made them yourself!
For more hobby-related content, visit the Hobby Zeal blog.
