The Basics of Soy Wax Candle Making

Soy wax candle making is becoming quite popular. Soy wax is all natural (since they come from soy beans), can have a natural aroma (or have one added), and burns cleanly. It is well known that paraffin wax emits a soot which makes it ‘bad’ to breathe in. Excessive amounts of soot can also ruin your walls and ceilings. It is partially 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 reasons is its clean up. Soy wax cleans up very nicely using just plain warm water and soap. Now try that with paraffin wax!!

Making soy wax candles is very easy. Simply purchase some wax, dye, fragrances, wicks and containers and you are on your way – very inexpensively. My guess is that you could buy all these for less than $20. Starter kits run $20 to $30.

Probably the best way to start making soy candles is to buy some soy wax (they come in chips), some color chips (usually add one color chip per pound of wax), some fragrance (usually about 1 fluid oz 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 pan (with the wax to be melted) in a larger pan of boiling water.

Here is the simplest 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 one color chip and stir to well mixed.

Let cool for a bit and then add the fragrance. If the wax is too hot when the fragrance is added, it may evaporate and be lost. After you gain some experience with fragrances you can come up with your own aromatic creation.

Have your candle molds ready. Using a heat gun or hair dryer, warm up your container before pouring in the wax. When pouring the wax, pour slowly and steadily. You don’t want any bubbles to form.

Gently place the wick (with metal tab as a base) in the candle and allow to harden. Then trim the wick.

If you have any leftover wax after filling in your first mold, immediately pour the remaining wax in smaller candleholders or votives, add the wick and let harden.

Another unique aspect of soy candles is that they can be made with or without wicks. Those with wicks are used the same way as any regular candles. Wickless soy candles need to be used with electric candle warmers. The candle warmer is plugged into a nearby electrical outlet which warms the plate. You then place the candle on the warm plate and its warmth will cause the candle to give off its sweet fragrance.

Making soy wax candles is easy, inexpensive and enjoyable. Its benefits are often forgotten by the novice, namely, it is less expensive, very easy to work with, and melts fast, reducing the time to make them. The only drawback is its availability. Soy wax is not carried in all craft stores, but can easily be purchased online in amounts from three pounds to fifty pounds. The more you buy, the less you will pay per pound, giving you additional savings. Soy wax is certainly worth a try. They are easy to make and enjoyable to burn.