Homemade Soy Wax Candles

There’s just something about the cozy glow of a flickering candle that adds something special to a room. In this post I’m sharing all about how to make your very own homemade soy wax candles.

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There’s something about the flickering flame of a candle that gives a welcoming feeling to a home. Even more than a lamp, the coziness of the movement and sweet smell really make a space feel inviting.

One of my favorite simple pleasures in our farmhouse is to see that glow on my kitchen windowsill while I work away at the dishes. It gives this country farmhouse a little extra something, and a home with a candle in the window tells everyone looking in on it, we love beauty here.

There are brands all over social media that sell high-quality, soy wax candles, but they are quite pricey. In a quest to make my home cozy on a budget, I learned how to make my very own homemade soy wax candles and now I’m sharing this simple DIY with you!

Benefits of Making Your Own Homemade Soy Wax Candles?

There are many benefits of making your own soy wax candles at home, including health and financial benefits.

Health Benefits of Making Your Own DIY Soy Wax Candles

It is well known by now that the paraffin wax candles that are mass produced are harmful to our health. Since paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum, burning it can create a harmful atmosphere within the air in our homes. Not only that, but the fragrances used in those store-bought candles are also typically made from toxic chemicals.

I swore off paraffin candles a long time ago, but I still wanted to have that cozy glow in my home. I learned that soy wax is non-toxic and safe to burn and haven’t looked back since I made the switch!

Financial Benefits of Handmade Soy Wax Candles

Some of the big name brand soy wax candle producers charge over $35 per pint sized candle. I don’t know about you, but this mama on a budget simply can’t be paying that! That’s why I set out on a journey to learn how to make my own homemade soy wax candles.

I love giving candles away as gifts and making them even more special by customizing the vessel I use for them. Buying such a thoughtful gift would cost a small fortune these days, but with a thrifted tea cup and buying the materials to make the candle yourself, you save a ton!

What You Will Need to Make Your DIY Soy Wax Candles

Pot for boiling water
Glass measuring cup or metal pitcher to use for melting the wax
Thermometer for checking the wax temperature
Soy wax – I buy this wax from Amazon in the 10 pound option and it lasts me all year!
Candle scent if using – I purchase mine through CandleScience
Candle vessel – You can use any size jar or vessel for this tutorial
Wicks – I use these 100% cotton wicks and I’ve only ever had to buy one bag in all my candle making
Something to hold up your wick while the wax is hardening. I use these wick holders but you can use a pencil or popsicle stick too
Wick trimmers – these are not fully necessary but helpful. If you don’t have a wick trimmer you can use scissors or nail clippers

How to Make Soy Wax Candles

Step 1 – Fill a pot about 1/3 of the way with water and begin heating on the stove while you calculate the amount of wax you will need.

Step 2 – Place the vessel you would like to use on a food scale and tare it. Then fill the vessel with water until you reach the level you’d like your candle to fill to. Record the weight of the water in grams on a piece of paper. Continue this process with any other vessels you’d like to use.

Step 3 – Multiply the water volume amount by 0.85 and record the number you get. Do this for all the vessels you will be using and add the total of each together. This is the amount of wax you will need.

Step 4 – Measure out the amount of wax you need in your glass or metal canister and place into warm pot of water to create a type of double boiler.

Step 5 – If using fragrance, you can calculate how much you will need by multiplying the wax needed number by 0.05 or 0.10 if you want a heavily scented candle.

Step 6 – Allow the wax to melt until completely dissolved. To secure your wicks to the bottom of your jars, dip the metal part of the wicks into some of the hot wax. Allow it to begin to cool for about 5 seconds and then press into the bottom of the jar and hold in place until the wax has hardened and the wick is secured.

Step 7 – Heat the wax until it reaches between 190-200°F. Once it has reached this temperature, remove the wax from the heat and stir in your fragrance if using. Allow the wax to cool to 120-130°F.

Step 8 – With the wicks secured by either a pencil or your wick holders, slowly pour the cooled wax into your vessels. You should have exactly enough wax to fill your jars with no waste.

Step 9 – Allow your candles to “cure” for 24 hours for best results. Before burning, trim wicks to 1/2 inch and enjoy your lovely homemade soy wax candles!

For a visual on how to make these homemade soy wax candles, check out these step by step images!