Making your own candles is a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your home, create a pleasant fragrance, and provide light when necessary. Candle making is easy, and anyone can do it with just a few simple steps. Try making candles using a handcrafted method and transform your home into a more beautiful space.
Steps
Cup Candle Making

Choose Wax. You can purchase various types of wax online, such as paraffin, beeswax, and soy wax. If you prefer, you can also opt for scented wax varieties. Select the type of wax you need and buy just enough to make the desired number of candles.

Melting the Wax. Use a double boiler to melt the wax. The wax needs to reach a temperature between 82 – 88°C; you can use a thermometer to check the exact temperature. If desired, you can also add essential oils.
Cut the Wick. Take a wick (with a metal base at the bottom) and place it in the cup. Leave a few centimeters of extra wick at the top. Tie the top of the wick to a pencil or pen and place it across the rim of the cup to ensure the wick stays upright.
Warm the Cup. To achieve a smooth batch of wax without bubbles, you need to warm up the cup you'll be pouring the wax into. Place the cup in the oven at around 66°C for a few minutes to warm it up.
Pour the Wax. Hold the pencil/wick steady on top of the cup and slowly pour the melted wax into it. Avoid touching the sides of the cup or pouring too quickly to prevent air bubbles from forming in the wax. Only pour about ¾ of the wax compared to the amount you want.
Wait and Pour More. Wait a few hours for the wax in the cup to cool. There may be a slight indentation on the surface of the wax. At this point, pour the remaining wax into the top ¼ of the cup.
Finish. Once the wax has completely hardened, you can remove the wick from the pencil at the top of the cup and trim the excess wick. Light the candle and place it around to decorate and brighten up your home.
Pillar Candle Making
Choose Wax. Pillar candles are the largest type of candles, so they require a lot of wax. Select your materials: Do you want to make colored candles? Do you want to add fragrance to your candles? Do you prefer beeswax, soy wax, paraffin, or other varieties of wax? Consider the intended use of the candle before making your decision.
Melting the Wax. Use a double boiler to melt the wax. If you don’t have a double boiler, place the wax in a glass bowl and set it over a pot of boiling water. Once the wax reaches a temperature of 82 – 88°C, it is ready to pour into the mold.
Prepare the Mold. To make a pillar candle, you first need to prepare the mold. The easiest way is to buy a candle mold. If not, make sure the joint of the mold is tight to ensure stability. You can also use a rubber band to hold it together or use wooden pieces to create a box-shaped mold.
Insert the Wick. Due to the height of pillar candles, you'll need a long wick. Place the wick inside the mold, ensuring it touches the bottom. Tie the wick to a pen or pencil and lay it horizontally across the top of the mold to prevent it from falling into the wax.
Pour the Wax. Slowly pour the wax into the mold, carefully and steadily, avoiding pouring too quickly. Leave about ¼ of the wax to pour later, which will help finalize the shape of the candle.
Wait and Pour More. After the wax has cooled and settled, a small indentation will form in the center of the candle. At this point, gently reheat the remaining wax and pour it into the rest of the mold.
Remove the Mold. Wait for 2-4 hours for the candle to fully dry and solidify. Remove the wick from the pencil and take the mold off. Trim any excess wick from the top or bottom of the candle, and enjoy your work!
Find a spacious area and try lighting your candle.
Making Candles from Rolled Beeswax Sheets
Cut the Beeswax Sheets. Beeswax sheets are typically quite large, which may make the candle look uneven. Therefore, cut the beeswax sheet into a size of 10cm by 40cm.
Place the Wick. Lay the beeswax sheet on a flat surface. Position the wick along the edge of the sheet, leaving at least 3 cm of the wick at the top, with the bottom of the wick close to the bottom of the sheet.
Start Rolling. Begin rolling from where the wick is placed, then gradually roll the beeswax sheet inwards. Try to roll in one direction to avoid an uneven base or a spiral shape. Gently press to ensure the layers of wax stick together.
Finish. Once you reach the end of the wax sheet, press down with your fingers to secure the layers of wax. Place the candle between your hands and roll it, using the warmth from your hands to soften the wax and help retain its shape. Place the candle on your favorite candle holder, and you're done! Now you have a lovely and functional decoration for your home.
Making Candles from Leftover Wax
Gather the Wax. Use the leftover wax from old candles to create a new one. You can also repurpose broken pieces of wax from other products, but make sure to use wax of the same type (e.g., avoid mixing essential oils with paraffin).
- Choose pieces of wax with the same scent, as this will prevent your candle from having an overpowering mixed fragrance.
- Avoid mixing waxes of contrasting colors, as this can result in a dull gray or brown color. Stick to waxes that are the same color and proportion.
Melt the Wax. Use a butter knife to cut the wax into small chunks and place them in a double boiler. Wait until the wax reaches 85°C before removing it from the heat.
Prepare the Mold. Place the wick with the metal base into the mold, tie the top of the wick to a pencil or pen, and position it horizontally on the mold’s edge. Warm the mold in the oven at 66°C to minimize air bubbles in the candle.
Pour the Wax. Use a piece of cheesecloth or a metal filter to strain the wick and any impurities that may be in the recycled wax. Slowly pour the wax into the mold through the filter, ensuring you don’t pour directly onto the wick or edges. Pour evenly and steadily into the bottom of the mold. Leave about ¼ of the wax for later pouring.
Wait and Pour Again. Once the wax in the mold has fully hardened, reheat the remaining ¼ of the wax. When the candle has set, a slight indentation will form at the base of the wick. Pour the remaining wax into the mold to fill this dip.
Completion. Remove the pencil or pen from the wick and trim off any excess wick. The candle is ready to use once it has fully hardened. Enjoy your recycled creation, or gift it to a friend.
Tips
- Avoid mixing different types of wax when making candles, as they may alter the candle's appearance and affect the results compared to using a single type of wax.
- Consider adding essential oils to your wax for fragrance. Experiment with blending different scents to create a unique aroma for your home.
Warnings
- Ensure you're using a proper candle wick! Materials like ropes can burn faster and may catch fire, causing a dangerous hazard.
- Even a small mistake in following these steps can result in a fire. As a precaution, keep a fire extinguisher nearby the first time you light your candle.
- Never pour water onto melted wax. Wax will react like hot oil and may ignite in flames.
