Soy wax candle making is becoming quite popular. Soy wax is all natural (because it comes from soybeans), can have a natural scent (or add one), and burns cleanly. It is well known that paraffin wax emits a soot that makes it ‘bad’ to breathe. Excessive amounts of soot can also ruin walls and ceilings. It is partly for these reasons that soy candles are becoming so popular.
Candle makers love working with soy wax for many reasons, but one of the best is its cleanliness. Soy wax cleans up very well using just warm, soapy water. Now try that with paraffin wax!!
Making soy wax candles is very easy. Just buy some wax, stain, fragrances, wicks, and containers and you’ll be on your way, very cheaply. My guess is that you could buy all of this for less than $20. Starter kits cost between $20 and $30.
Probably the best way to start making soy candles is to buy some soy wax (they come in bits), a few bits of color (I usually add a bit of color per pound of wax), some fragrance (usually about 1 ounce liquid per pound of wax), wicks (usually one per candle ; ), and a container or two.
You can melt the wax in a double boiler or just stick a smaller saucepan (with the wax to be melted) into a larger saucepan of boiling water.
This is the easiest way to make a soy wax candle.
Melt one pound of wax. It melts at a lower temperature than other waxes.
When completely melted, add a color chip and stir to mix well.
Let cool slightly and then add the fragrance. If the wax is too hot when the fragrance is added, it can evaporate and be lost. After gaining some experience with fragrances, you can create your own scent creation.
Have your candle molds ready. Using a heat gun or hair dryer, heat the container before pouring the wax. When pouring the wax, do it slowly and steadily. You don’t want bubbles to form.
Gently place the wick (using the metal tab as a base) into the candle and allow it to harden. Then trim the wick.
If you have leftover wax after filling your first mold, immediately pour the remaining wax into smaller candle holders or votives, add the wick, and allow to harden.
Another unique aspect of soy candles is that they can be made with or without wicks. The ones with wicks are used in the same way as any normal candle. Wickless soy candles should be used with electric candle warmers. The candle warmer plugs into a nearby outlet that heats the dish. Then you place the candle on the hot plate and its heat will cause the candle to give off its sweet fragrance.
Making soy wax candles is easy, inexpensive, and enjoyable. Newbies often forget its benefits, namely it’s less expensive, very easy to work with, and it melts quickly, reducing the time to make them. The only drawback is its availability. Soy wax is not sold in all craft stores, but it can be easily purchased online in quantities of three to fifty pounds. The more you buy, the less you’ll pay per pound, giving you additional savings. Soy wax is definitely worth a try. They are easy to make and nice to burn.