MOST ALL CANDLES THESE DAYS ARE FILLED WITH CHEMICALS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY TO BREATHE. THESE HANDMADE BEESWAX CANDLES HAVE JUST A FEW SIMPLE INGREDIENTS AND ARE A SAFE, NON-TOXIC ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL CANDLES.
This is kind of embarrassing…
I’ve been wanting to make candles for at least 3 years. I must have thought it was complicated or something, but let me tell you, it really isn’t!
It’s funny how sometimes we have a desire to do something, but there’s almost always something that holds us back. Well not anymore!
How to Make Beeswax Candles
There’s just something about making things from scratch. Learning something new can be invigorating, especially when you have something to show in the end.
To start making your candles, set up your double boiler. Some people have an actual double boiler, like two pans that fit together like they belong. I stuck a glass bowl on top of a saucepan of boiling water, and there you have it.
You will need:
- candle wicks
- 1 pound of beeswax (apparently there’s yellow or white)
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup coconut oil (and/or cocoa butter or shea butter)
- a sauce pan and a bowl (or an actual double boiler)
- 4-6 glass jars (or teacups, mugs, vintage glasses, you name it – don’t be afraid to get creative)
- bamboo skewers or pencils (just something long and straight to hold the wicks in place)
- essential oils (optional)
1. Coconut Oil
Add some coconut oil (1/4 to 1/2 cup) to your bowl and let it melt.
2. Beeswax
Once my coconut oil was melted, I added the bag of beeswax. I bought mine in little pellets, but I know there are plenty of options.
3. Add cocoa butter/shea butter
This step is completely optional. However, just so you’re fully aware… Cocoa butter smells like chocolate. It’s probably the most amazing thing I’ve ever smelled… ever.
I went back and forth, but ended up just dumping the entire bag of cocoa butter in with the candles. I was going to save some, and then I thought to myself, “when am I going to use cocoa butter again?”. The answer… probably never.
4. Let it melt (stirring occasionally)
As the water beneath starts to boil, the wax will begin to melt. This process took a while for me. I did realize at one point, though, that the water had evaporated, and was basically just cooking nothing (I couldn’t see the contents of the saucepan). So beware of that, and add more water as it evaporates, or else it will just smell like you’re burning something.
5. Prepare your jars (or whatever you choose to use)
These are a great thing to pick up from your local thrift store for just a few dollars each (sometimes less). I even got a few at Hobby Lobby for $1.50 (at 50% off). However, feel free to get creative and use all sorts of different containers.
I hot glued the wicks to the bottoms of the jars first, and then wrapped the wicks around the skewers to hold them in place.
6. Pour the Wax
In order to pour the wax into the candles, I ladled it from the bowl into a measuring glass, for easier pouring. Try to be neat with your pouring, or else they candles will look messy. You can just pour it straight from the bowl or pan that you’re using, it just depends on how confident you are in your pouring skills, I suppose.
7. Cut the Wicks
The final step (and probably the easiest) is to cut the wicks. Make sure your scissors are really sharp and snip it. I just cut mine as close to the top of the jar as I could.
And there you have it!
Not too crazy, huh? I, personally, am a big fan and can’t wait to make more soon!
One thing you might be asking…
Why make them, when I could just go buy it from the store?
The truth is, anything with a scent is laden with chemicals (unless it specifically states otherwise). Not only are these chemicals gross, but they’re detrimental to our family’s health. It can be really hard to find a brand that you can trust in this area, but even if you do, you’ll be paying an arm and a leg for it.
With simple, clean ingredients, this is a sure-fire way to be sure that the candles in your home are safe for everyone in the household.
Have you ever made candles? What scent would you/did you choose? Leave me a comment below!
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Great tutorial. Candles have been on my “To Try” list for a while. You’ve given me the courage to go ahead and try to make some candles. Thank you.
Oh I hope you do try it! It was so much simpler than I always thought it would be. I’m excited to make them again someday.
Totally need to try this!!!
Girl do it! It’s really not hard
did you add essential oils? what step should you do that?
Hi Nora! I didn’t add essential oils to this batch, but you totally can (and I think I will make another batch soon with oils). I would add them in either just before you pour your candles or just after you pour them. Hope that helps! Happy candle making.