How to Make Scented Candles

Candlelight lends a warm and welcoming ambiance to our homes, and provides an opportunity to scent the air at the same time. Making your own is as easy as melting wax (soy wax is recommended) in the top of a double boiler, pouring it into a mold and leaving it to harden with an anchored wick inserted in the middle. For fragrance and unique visual interest, add a pinch or two of crushed dried flowers or leaves to the melted wax just before pouring. Don’t stir – some of the herbal material will float to the bottom, creating a dappled effect.

Essential oils may also be added to melted candle wax, either alone or in combination, and with our without dried botanicals, before pouring into molds. In this case, you do want to stir, but after the melting pot has been removed from the heat and allowed to cool for a minute. If you have a candy thermometer, the ideal temperature should be around 120’F before adding the oils. Stir well after adding the oils to disperse them evenly throughout the wax. Add dried herbs, if using, but don’t stir a second time. Finally, pour and “cure” the candle as usual. In terms of volume, plan to use 12-24 drops of essential oil for each 4-6 ounces of wax.

Basic candle making:

MELT SOY WAX - using a double boiler melt wax

ADD FRAGRANCE - after removed from heat (cool wax to 120°F) stir in essential oils drops for fragrance.

ADD VISUAL TEXTURE - sprinkle in botanicals for aroma and visual aesthetic, don't stir

POUR INTO MOLD - receptacle suggestions: milk carton, frozen orange juice container, or one of your tins.

PLACE WICK - insert an anchored wick - available  at craft shops or e-commerce websites.

LET COOL - let wax thoroughly cool, if mold is disposable and for shape only remove before using.

Warming oils: Choose 4-6 essential oils and place several drops of each in a 1 ounce amber or cobalt glass bottle with a dropper top. Plan on 20-25 drops of oil for your top (dominant) scents and 10-20 for your base scents. Cap the bottle and roll it between your palms a few times to distribute, but avoid shaking. Place the bottle in a cool, dark place for a day or two before using to allow the scents to "marry."

If using an essential oil diffuser, add 5-8 drops to the water reservoir. If using an oil burner, fill the upper dish with 2 tablespoons coconut oil and light a tealight candle underneath. When the coconut oil has melted, add 8-10 drops to the dish.

Basic warming oil HOW TO list: CHOOSE FRAGRANCE - pick 4-6 essential oils such as cedarwood, essential oil, cinnamon leaf, essential oil, camphor (white), essential oil, carrot seed, essential oil, etc.

PICK GLASS BOTTLE - use 1/2 ounce amber or cobalt bottle with dropper top

ADD TOP (DOMINANT) SCENT - add 20-25 drops of your dominant scent(s) to the bottle

ADD BASE SCENT - add 10-20 drops of your base scents to the bottle

MIX - AVOID SHAKING, roll capped bottle between palms

REST - let scents "marry" for a day or two before using

USE - 5-8 drops in essential oil diffuser water reservoir OR 8-10 in 2TBSP coconut oil on warming dish with tea light.

Image from herco.