Ever find yourself just wanting to bring a little warmth and comfort into your space? That’s where I’m at right now. I’ve been dreaming about making my own DIY oil infused candles—something that not only lights up the room but also fills it with soothing scents. You know that feeling when you walk into a cozy café, and the air is just bursting with the sweet aroma of vanilla and cinnamon? Yeah, I want that in my home! Just the other day, I stumbled on a bunch of essential oils at a local shop, and it hit me—what if I could create my own little corner of happiness? Who wouldn’t want to relax after a long day surrounded by the smell of lavender or invigorating citrus? It sounds so inviting, doesn’t it? Plus, it’s a fun, hands-on project that lets me get a bit crafty. I can’t be the only one who thinks that making candles sounds like the perfect way to infuse some personal flair into my home decor, right?
Items You’ll Need
- Soy wax flakes
- Essential oils for infusion
- Candle wicks
- Heat-resistant container for melting wax
- Double boiler or melting pot
- Thermometer (for monitoring wax temperature)
- Mixing spoon (preferably wooden or silicone)
- Pouring pitcher (specifically for candles)
- Candle molds (if making specific shapes)
- Dye for candles (optional)
- Labels for jars (optional, for gifts)
- Jars or containers for finished candles
- Safety gear (gloves, goggles, apron)
- Stirring sticks (disposable or reusable)
- Notebook for recording recipes and notes
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Your Equipment
First things first, I need to gather all my supplies. I'm pulling out the soy wax flakes, essential oils, candle wicks, my heat-resistant container for melting, the double boiler, thermometer, mixing spoon, pouring pitcher, and all the jars I’ll be using. Safety gear? Check! Gloves, goggles, and apron on!
Step 2: Melt the Wax
I fill the bottom part of my double boiler with water and place it on the stove to heat up. Once the water is boiling, I add the soy wax flakes to the top part of the double boiler. I’ll keep a close eye on the thermometer to make sure the wax melts evenly until it reaches about 170°F.
Step 3: Add Essential Oils
Once my wax is fully melted, I carefully remove it from the heat. Here comes the fun part! I start adding my favorite essential oils. I like a blend of lavender and eucalyptus for a calming scent. I add about 10% of the total weight of the wax in essential oils. The room is starting to smell amazing!
Step 4: Prepare the Wicks
While the wax is cooling a bit, I prepare my candle wicks. I dip the metal base of each wick in the melted wax and then stick it to the bottom of my heat-resistant container. This ensures my wicks stay in place when I pour the wax.
Step 5: Pour the Wax
Once the wax has cooled to about 140°F, I carefully pour it into my prepared containers with the wicks already in place. I hold the wick in the center as I pour to keep it straight. Oh, I love watching the wax settle into the containers!
Step 6: Secure the Wicks
To make sure my wicks stay centered while the wax cools, I use some stirring sticks. I rest them across the top of each container and wrap the wick around them to keep it steady.
Step 7: Cool and Cure
Now I let my candles cool undisturbed for several hours. During this time, I can clean up a bit and maybe even prepare some labels for when I gift these marvelous creations.
Step 8: Trim the Wicks
After my candles have completely cooled, I carefully remove the stirring sticks and trim the wicks to about a quarter of an inch above the wax. This will help them burn properly!
Step 9: Label and Enjoy!
Finally, I can label my candles and marvel at my handiwork. Each jar looks inviting, and I can't wait to light them. Maybe I'll keep a couple for myself and give a few away as gifts. Who doesn’t love homemade candles infused with essential oils?