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The making of candles is a skill that has existed for centuries.

It is an art that has stood the test of time ...

And this despite the advent of light bulbs!

Today, making your own candles has become a very popular DIY project.

But before you make your first candle, you need to know the basics, including the different types of candles, wax, and what materials to use.

Fortunately, we have prepared this easy tutorial for you make your own homemade candles quickly.

Don't worry, the recipe is quick and easy! Look :

3 different types of candles

The first thing to do is to choose the shape of your candle. Indeed, know that there are three main types of candles:

1.Pillar candles which are made with hard wax. They are freestanding, that is, they are consumed as they are, without the help of a container to hold them.

2. Container candles which are the easiest to make for beginners and by far the most common. They burn in the container where the wax has been poured.

3. Votive candles which are small candles intended to be burned in containers. They are very popular at weddings and in places of worship.

What type of wax to choose?

Don't rush to the hobby store to rob their beeswax supply right away :-)

Indeed, we must first choose the wax the most suitable for the creation of your homemade candles!

You have several choices of wax to make your own candles. Some waxes are more popular than others.

Depending on their composition, waxes have different melting points.

And you also have to think about factors like price, allergies and also the burn time.

Paraffin

Paraffin is the cheapest of all waxes. But, it is used less and less, because it is produced from crude oil.

In addition, there are now several natural and more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Another reason paraffin candles are less popular is that they tend to produce smoke and soot when burned.

However, paraffin is great for making small candles, such as votive candles. However, it is not suitable for making large candles, such as pillar candles.

Paraffin melts quickly, but its big advantage is that it is easy to color and flavor it.

Beeswax

Beeswax is completely natural and chemical free!

It is a residue from the honey-making process, which gives it a subtle sweet aroma.

More expensive than paraffin, beeswax is found in two forms: block or lozenge.

The pellets are easier to handle since it is easier to measure them.

This is because the block wax has to be cut or grated to get the desired amount, which can be difficult and messy.

Beeswax melts without spilling too much. And because it's 100% natural, it's popular with people with allergies, sinus disorders, or asthma.

The downside to beeswax, however, is that it doesn't hold color or scent very well.

Vegetable waxes

There are other natural alternatives to making your own candles:

- Natural palm wax burns longer and smokeless, but it is the most expensive of waxes. It is perfect for making pillar candles.

- Soy wax is made from soybeans. It also burns for a long time and does not smoke. You can find it here for almost 20 € for 2 kg.

Reuse leftover candles

And finally, the recuperation trick: you can also reuse the remains of your old candles !

You just need to use the residue from your old candles to give life to a new 100% recycled candle.

Making a candle with recycled wax is a great way to cut down on your waste, and turn it back into something useful.

The easy recipe for making a candle

What you need

- Cook

- large saucepan

- measuring jug or large glass container

- newspaper

- napkin

- pencil

Ingredients

- paraffin wax, beeswax, palm wax or soy wax

- candle wicks

- candle molds or other heat-resistant container

- essential oils for perfume

- oil-based dyes

- to make pillar candles, I advise you to reuse an old waxed container, such as a carton of milk or fruit juice.

Step 1: prepare the wax

1. Choose your type of wax: paraffin wax, beeswax, palm wax or soy wax.

2. Break the wax into small pieces, or grate it into shavings.

3. To help melt the exact amount of wax you will need, take your empty mold or container, place it on the scale, tare, and fill it with water. The weight in grams of the water will tell you how much wax to melt.

4. Use newspaper to protect your work surface. If wax is spilled, keep a damp towel handy.

5. Fill the pan with about 5 cm of water, and make sure that your measuring jug fits well in the pan.

6. Put the wax shavings in the glass measuring jug, then put the measuring jug in the saucepan.

7. Heat the water over high heat, and the wax will slowly melt.

8. Add essential oils to scent the candle (optional).

9. Add a few drops of food coloring, until you get the desired color.

Step 2: mold the candle

1. To mold the candle, you can use any type of metal, glass or porcelain container, as long as it is heat resistant.

Recovery tip: reuse old containers, such as a glass jar, mug, or old teacup.

2. Place the wick in the center of the mold or container.

3. Run a small drop of melted wax to stick the wick to the bottom of the container.

4. Wrap the end of the wick around the pencil.

5. Place the pencil on the rim of your container, so that the wick is held in place.

6. Place your container on a flat surface and pour the liquid wax inside, holding the pencil firmly.

7. Allow the wax to cool and solidify for several hours, or even overnight.

8. If you are using a carton of milk or fruit juice to make a pillar candle, carefully tear the carton to unmold.

9. Last step, cut the wick to about 4 to 5 cm in length.

The tutorial in one practical guide

To easily print this guide in PDF, click here.

Results

There you go, you know how to make homemade candles!

And you can even make your own scented candles, according to your preferences.

DIY candles spread a sweet scent and bring a pleasant touch of warmth and comfort to the home.

Once you've made your candle, try embellishing it with a gorgeous label, like these reusable slate-look labels.

Add a beautiful ribbon, and you have a wonderful little homemade gift to give for any party or occasion.

Your turn...

Have you tried this photo tutorial to make your own homemade candles? Tell us in the comments if it was effective. We can't wait to hear from you!

Do you like this trick ? Share it with your friends on Facebook.

Also to discover:

The Home Recipe For Making Natural Scented Candles.

How To Make Beeswax Candles EASILY.