How to melt a wax candle at home. DIY candles at home

This post-instruction is for those who prefer really nice-smelling candles to the chemicals that are sold in our stores. Of course, there are manufacturers who actually add natural oils, but these candles are very expensive. So if you want to tinker a little and try your hand at making candles, have patience and, of course, free time, this post is just for you.

Ingredients

I will try to give you as short and clear instructions for making scented candles.

You will need:
- wax or paraffin (you can use old candles);
— essential oils at your choice;
- lace;
- scissors;
- small glass jars into which candles will be poured;
- heat-resistant dishes for melting wax;
— a special thermometer for measuring the temperature of molten wax (optional);
- thin wooden stick;
- tape measure or ruler;
— cutting board;
- nut for holding the cord.

Manufacturing

1. Wash and dry the containers into which you are going to pour candles. These can be small glass jars, tall glasses different shapes, ceramic or porcelain cups.

2. Cover your work surface with baking paper. Since the wax will be soft, it may stick to the table, and it will be quite difficult to remove it.

3. Break a block of wax or an old candle into small pieces - this will make them melt faster.

4. Now you need to prepare the wick for the candle - make a “seed”. This will make the wick match the color of the candle, burn slower, and make it easier to install. So, first you need to melt the wax! Pour a small amount of small pieces of wax or paraffin into a bowl and place it on water bath. When the wax melts, place the wick of the length you need there for 20-30 seconds. Then remove from the bowl using tweezers and place on baking paper. Straighten the wick, level it and roll it a little on the table, as if you were making a sausage out of plasticine. Leave to dry for 10 minutes.

5. Once the wick is dry, thread it through the nut, which will help keep the bottom end of the wick at the bottom of the candle. It can be found either in craft stores or borrowed from tea candles.

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6. Heat the wax again, add the remaining pieces and melt. Then add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. You can make single scents, or you can try mixtures. For example, a few drops of cedarwood oil, a couple of drops of eucalyptus and three drops of citrus essential oil. Stir the wax well with a wooden spatula.

7. Remove wax from heat. Pour about 1/4 of the wax into a heatproof bowl.

8. Pour some wax into the prepared candlesticks, making sure that the wick is always in the middle. Leave to harden for 20-25 minutes. This will help keep the wick in the middle when the candle is filled to the end.

9. Heat the remaining wax, pour it into a heat-resistant bowl and fill the candles to the end.

10. Carefully screw the remaining top of the wick onto the wooden stick so that the tension is not very strong. Otherwise, you may pull the nut from the bottom and have to redo everything all over again. Attach the wick to a stick and place it on the edges of the candlestick so that the wick remains in the center of the candle.

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11. When the candle has cooled completely, trim the wick so that a small tail about 5 mm long remains above the surface.

Trim the wick tail each time you use the candle. This is especially true for candles with glass holders, which can burst from overheating if the wick is too long.

Decoration festive table, parts of the interior, a lifesaver in case of a sudden power outage, a nice gift for loved ones. What is this? Handmade candles!

Yes, yes, such an activity also exists. Moreover, those who are interested in such a hobby receive incredible aesthetic pleasure from it.

You can look at the photos of candles made by yourself endlessly...

What you need is easily accessible

Anyone can make candles. What will you need?

Wax

Sometimes paraffin can successfully replace it. The difference between them is that wax, due to its naturalness, does not emit soot, while paraffin, when completely burned, produces smoke.

This simple materials, the acquisition of which will not be difficult. You can find them in any craft store or, as a last resort, melt a ready-made candle, the cost of which is quite low.

Wick

There are also two options here: remove it from an unnecessary candle or make it from cotton-based threads. It is not recommended to twist them too much - the flame may go out.

It is also worth considering that a wick that is too thick will cause the candle to melt faster, while producing a lot of smoke.

The length of the wick is determined by the size of the candle plus a small section for convenient lighting.

Mold

A hollow container made of any material. The only thing: the edges of the form should be straight and not narrow.

Available materials are:

• A saucepan and metal utensils for a water bath;
• A stick or any long thin object (pen, match) for fixing the wick.

Making a candle

Having prepared everything necessary materials, you can start creating. Detailed master class will show you how to make candles with your own hands quickly and beautifully.

Place the wick into the prepared mold for the future candle, secure one end of it to a stick, and place it on the container.

Grind the paraffin or wax and melt it in a water bath. The heat should be low, and the process should be monitored, and to avoid lumps, constantly stir the mixture.

It is worth considering that the temperature of the molten material is quite high, so it should be handled with care.

Pour a little melted paraffin (wax) into the mold with the prepared wick. Place the tip of the cotton thread in the middle and let the material harden a little.

Wax has the ability to cool quickly, so you need to work with it quickly.

Note!

Fill the mold with the remaining melted material to the required level.

Wait until the candle hardens and trim off the excess part of the wick. It is recommended to do this at least 24 hours later.

All that remains is to remove the candle from the container. For ease of removal and to avoid damage, the form should be placed in the freezer for half a minute or placed in hot water.

You can light a finished candle only a day after its production is completed. During this time, it will have time to completely harden, which will have a beneficial effect on its operation.

Candle colors

You can make candles at home not only in the main (white) color, but also in absolutely any shade.

In order to color a wax work, you cannot use paints. Oil or acrylic they will not fulfill their purpose, but will only stick together in the melted paraffin, turning into unattractive colored flakes.

Note!

They will help you give the desired shade wax crayons. They mix perfectly with the chosen material by adding small pieces directly during the melting process.

Using several pencils, you can create a real rainbow of shades by gradually pouring paraffin of various colors into the mold.

Aromatherapy

When making wax products, they not only paint them, but also make them give off a scent. The fragrance of a burning candle can create an atmosphere of peace and comfort, as well as energize or, conversely, relax.

In order to make a beautiful candle that will delight the eye and smell, you will need essential oils. They are sold in great abundance at any pharmacy or cosmetic store.

A few drops of oil will give the future candle a unique aroma.

Note!

When choosing a scent, you need to be guided by the purpose or color of the wax miracle:

• relaxation will be given by lavender oil, and in this case it is better to paint the candle in light purple;
• Bergamot can also relax – a green candle color is suitable for this;
• An orange can improve your mood – a bright orange tint will complement the effect;
• ylang-ylang will set you in an intimate mood - lilac or pink color candles will be just in place.

Wax works of art

Decorating candles is the true pinnacle of wax craftsmanship.

You can decorate a candle in various ways:

• Natural materials - pebbles, shells, twigs and others. Basically, they are placed at the bottom of the mold before adding molten paraffin.
• Food products – coffee beans and dried fruits. Such materials can be placed throughout the entire volume of the mold, pouring wax gradually and giving it the opportunity to fix the decoration.
• Decoupage. The technique has been known for a long time and is successfully used in the manufacture of candles. A colored napkin design is placed on the surface and secured with glue designed specifically for candles. This fixation protects the paper from burning.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the carved decoration of candles. Not everyone can do this - it will require perseverance and accuracy, but the result exceeds all expectations.

For cutting you will need: stationery knife, paper and pen. After wrapping the candle in paper, determine the size of the future drawing, and cut off the excess. A pattern is applied to the remaining rectangle.

The candle is wrapped again in paper and secured with tape. Using a knife, carefully trace the pattern along the contour, and then cut out the excess layers of wax.

You can use these candles at a wedding, for table decoration, or just for the interior.

Transparent candles

You can make completely transparent candles using a special gel.

The advantages of this material are:

• absence of smoke, odors and soot;
• transparency (for beauty and decoration);
• possibility of self-cooking.

How is the gel prepared? Glycerin, gelatin and tannin are mixed in equal quantities, the same amount of water is added to them, all this must be put on low heat and cooked until the liquid evaporates.

At first, the gel may be cloudy, but as it cools it will become transparent.

Working with gel is not much different from using wax, but there is still a slight difference:

• after the candle hardens, it is impossible to remove it from the mold, so it is better to use a glass and transparent container;
• Before adding the gel, the mold should be slightly warmed up - this will prevent air bubbles from appearing in the candle.

You can color, scent and decorate a gel candle just like any other.

Knowing how to make candles yourself, you can always have a wonderful table decoration on hand, an exclusive gift for friends and family, and also use your creations in the interior.

Photos of candles with your own hands

Previously, candles were used only by wealthy families to illuminate rooms. Today, many are interested in how to make a candle as a decoration with their own hands. You can implement your plans at home, the main thing is to prepare everything you need. Let's start!

How to make a candle with your own hands - necessary materials

Paraffin

First of all, make sure you have paraffin. Buy it at craft stores or hardware supermarkets. You can also get paraffin from unburnt old candles that you have left at home.

Wax (instead of paraffin)

An analogue of paraffin is beeswax. It represents completely natural composition, which during combustion purifies the air in the room. But the wax cannot be scented or colored. If you prefer this component, choose soy wax.

Wick

In addition to the main component, you will need a wick. It can be in the form of a paper rope or a thin rope.

Workplace

Prepare your work space. A flat table lined with oilcloth or newspaper is ideal. You can make candles with your own hands only with high-quality lighting at home.

Additional tools

You will need a container for mixing, a pan for heating the ingredients in a water bath, a thermometer for measuring the melting temperature of wax/paraffin (sold in handicraft stores, intended for making candles).

Dyes

If you intend to make candles of a certain shade, dyes will be required. Food grade pigment is not suitable for this purpose. Choose oil-based dyes.

Essential oils

Since you can make a candle with your own hands with a certain scent at home, purchase essential oils. They are sold in pharmacies and any cosmetics stores.

Scenery

If your goal is to make a beautiful decorative candle, you may need coffee beans, beautiful stones, shells and other elements.

Candle mold

As a form, use a glass, cup, cut-off jar, square heat-resistant container and other available containers.

General technology for creating a candle with your own hands

In this section we will present general scheme, detailed recipes you will find below.

STEP #1

First, build a water bath: fill a pan with water, wait until it boils. Paraffin/wax should not be melted over an open fire to avoid burning.

STEP #2

Prepare a container smaller in size than the pan. Rub paraffin into it using a fine grater. Place this dish in a saucepan so that no water gets into the paraffin. Reduce stove power and wait for melting.

Important! During the simmering process it is necessary to keep at hand soap solution and wet gauze folded in several layers. If you suddenly stain a table with paraffin, you need to immediately clean the surface.

STEP #3

Arm yourself with a thermometer, which is sold in handicraft stores. It is designed to measure the melting temperature of wax. Paraffin melts at approximately 84-90 degrees. Do not overheat it, measure the indicators. Do not let it boil.

Important! Since you can’t make a candle with your own hands without melting, follow safety precautions at home. Simmering in a water bath can lead to a fire. Monitor the temperature carefully. When using leftover old candles, you must first remove all the wicks from them.

STEP #4

Continue simmering until the paraffin acquires a liquid structure. At this stage, essential oils are added for scent and oil dyes for color. You can make a multi-color candle by adding many pigments of different shades at the same time (do not mix too much).

STEP #5

Take a mold for pouring a candle. Place a pencil on its sides. Prepare the wick, tie it in the center of the pencil. Lower the tip of the wick into the mold so that the rope is positioned evenly across the entire height of the container.

STEP #6

If you are using any decorations, now is the time to put them in the mold. It is better to place decorations on the sides and bottom of the container so that they are clearly visible after the wax has hardened.

STEP #7

It's time to pour the melted paraffin/wax into the mold. Manipulations are carried out in a thin stream so that the wick does not sway to the side.

STEP #8

When you have filled the mold, leave the candle on room temperature. It will harden after 10-14 hours. Do not keep the product in the refrigerator, otherwise it will burn poorly. Before use, cut the wick, remove the product from the mold or leave it inside.

Preparing a gel candle

Gel products have become in great demand decorative candles. The transparent base can be easily decorated with various decorative elements. Let's look at how to make a candle with your own hands without difficulty at home.

1. Visit a craft store and purchase a special gel-based compound. It can be colored or transparent. The gel base for candles can be mixed together to achieve the desired shade.

2. Melt the gel using classical technology (like paraffin), observing temperature regime(90 degrees). The result will be a liquid mixture. Prepare the mold in advance and install the wick in it.

3. Place at the bottom of the container decorative elements at your own discretion. There are no limits to your imagination, improvise! The main thing is that such decorations are not flammable. They need to be washed and dried in advance.

4. It is recommended to place some of the accessories on the bottom, and add others as the container is filled. As a result, the elements will appear to be floating. Also, they should not be close to the wick (at least 1 cm), this is important.

5. To avoid the formation of bubbles in the finished candle, the filling mold should be warmed up. It is enough to use a hairdryer or boiling water. Place the container in the liquid. Wipe the container dry.

6. You can do it in a different way and give the candle a more “sparkling” look. To increase the number of bubbles, the mold is pre-cooled in the freezer. Once you have poured the candle, it needs to sit for at least a day.

Making an aroma candle with your own hands

1. It’s not hard to figure out how to make an aromatherapy candle with your own hands so that it smells nice at home. The undoubted advantage of such products is that you will be completely confident in the environmental friendliness of the components.

2. So that the candle finds pleasant aroma, to the base, no matter whether it is gel or paraffin, you should add a few drops of any essential oil.

3. Consider the features of each broadcast. Some compounds become heavy and cloying when heated. The rest of the procedure is carried out using classical technology.

Original ideas for creating candles

1. To make candles truly unusual, try to use a base different colors. Fill them in layers. It is best to carry out the procedure with a gel base. Just add a layer and wait a little. As soon as it sets, continue pouring.

2. Play around with color scheme. Pour in gel of different shades layer by layer. As a result, you can create a beautiful rainbow candle. To make the transition smooth, you need to wait less for the previous layer to harden.

3. Colored compounds will just connect at the border. To understand how to make a rainbow candle with your own hands using this technology at home, follow the rules.

4. You can make a natural candle from citrus zest. Cut any citrus in half and carefully remove the pulp. Melt the base and add a few drops of lavender essential oil, a dried clove bud and a sprig of rosemary.

5. Pour the melted gel into a natural mold and wait until it cools. The result is an unusual citrus candle with a subtle aroma.

Making homemade candles is quite easy. Having made several copies, you can proceed to more complex tasks. Add something new and decorate the candles to your liking. Don't be afraid to experiment!

Making candles with your own hands is very interesting! This will be confirmed by any needlewoman who has at least once melted paraffin, added aroma oils or dyes to it and poured all this splendor into various jars and flasks) own experience(albeit not very large) I can say that after making one candle, I immediately want to take on another. Well, there is something mysterious and attractive in this process) If you don’t take my word for it, then try making your first decorative candle yourself!

So, we will need the following materials:

• candle stubs and all sorts of their remains (can be the same color or different colors, but it’s still better if they are shades of the same color, for example, white, pink and red)
• mold for pouring candles (plastic, paper, glass, etc.)
• vessel for melting paraffin (I have a tin of green peas)
• water bath container
• cinnamon sticks
• flavored tea, dried berries, etc.
• vegetable oil
• wick from ready-made candles or floss thread for wick
• several toothpicks (pencils, brushes, etc.)

Having prepared all the necessary materials, we begin to prepare the paraffin for melting.

This is what my old candles looked like:

I placed the ones in glass cup holders in a water bath for a few minutes, and after the paraffin had melted, I poured it into a tin jar. Naturally, I removed the remnants of the old wick.

I simply put the rest of the candles in hot water so that they softened and it was easier to cut them into small pieces.

As soon as the candles become warm and soft, take them out and cut them into small pieces so that they melt faster (my large candles turned out to be white inside))

Next, put the paraffin pieces into a melting jar and place in a water bath. True, I happily forgot about it and put the jar directly on the fire) Nothing bad happened, the paraffin melted quite quickly.

While the paraffin is melting, we begin preparing the molds for pouring. I used glass candlesticks, of which I have already accumulated quite a few)

First I put cinnamon sticks in a larger mold.

Then I lubricated the inner walls vegetable oil and sprinkled with tea leaves. The most common tea, strawberry)

By the way, if you want to make an aroma candle, then choose a scent that matches the color of the candle so that there is no disharmony in sensations.

In the end it turned out like this:

In the meantime, the paraffin will most likely melt and it will be possible to pour it. Do this carefully, using potholders and trivets.

Having filled the bottom with a small amount of melted paraffin, we proceed to fix the wick. If you want to use the candle directly for its intended purpose, that is, light it, then it is better to attach the wick to the very bottom of the mold so that the candle burns evenly to the end. I originally made a decorative candle, so I have a wick more for clarity, so that it is clear that this is a candle)

As a result, from a bunch of old candles I got 5 new ones, which seemed even beautiful)

It really takes a little time to remake candles. Try making decorative candles with your own hands!

Hello, my darlings! Six months ago I became interested in this type of skill called candle making. Of course, it’s difficult to call me a master in this matter, but nevertheless, I already know how to do something. Basically, I make them for myself, as a gift to family and friends. I want to say that I get great pleasure from the whole process of making a candle.

Just a little bit of history......

Candles appeared in everyday life back in the Middle Ages. Only rich people possessed them, since their cost was very high. They were made from various materials– paper, papyrus, plants, fat. Later, American colonists came up with a technology for producing wax. Then some research and experiments were carried out, but everything was wrong. Until a group of chemists invented paraffin in the twentieth century. Since then, it has been the most common material for the manufacture of these products. The most common, but not the only one...

This article is suitable for beginners, people who just want to start making candles with their own hands. For experienced craftsmen This article will most likely not be of interest. But don’t rush to close the page, at the end of the text you can watch a slide video with decor ideas. I hope you will enjoy!

First of all, I want to briefly tell you what candles are made of, what materials and substances are used to make them.

Type of candles

Wax– as the name suggests, they are made entirely from beeswax; this group also includes church candles(long and thin), created for some ritual. When burning, you can hear a crackling sound. They are considered the most useful, because the material of nature itself is used for their production. They do not contain harmful impurities; there is even no need for dyes. Beeswax candles are yellowish in color and emit a pleasant aroma when burned. In addition, it is useful to light them for colds, to purify and disinfect the air. Lately natural and environmentally friendly products have become very popular wax candles. This is the same beeswax, only with an embossed honeycomb pattern. The melting point of wax is about 60 degrees. But the higher the quality of the wax, the higher the melting point. They can be stored for decades, and the quality will not suffer from this. In my opinion, such candles do not need decoration. The only negative is the high cost.

Paraffin– are made from a fairly cheap material – paraffin. This substance is a product of petroleum refining. Most commercially available candles are made from it. It is believed that they are much inferior to wax ones in terms of environmental friendliness. For their manufacture, only the highest quality and purified paraffin should be used. He has White color and does not have a pronounced odor. But, unfortunately, our industry neglects this and often sells us cheap paraffin mass. When burned, carcinogenic substances are released that poison our body. They burn much less time than wax ones. Most often, this type of candle is decorated and scented, which is why it is very popular. There are no limits to imagination in this matter.

Gel candles Mostly poured into transparent glass containers. They look very beautiful and modern, and the decorations for them are beads, shells, flowers, etc., which are added to the candle mass. The main advantage is the duration of combustion, transparency, the absence of any unpleasant odors upon combustion. They are completely safe for humans. When burned, the jelly-like mass completely evaporates, leaving a small residue that is easily washed off with water. Their duration of use is 4 times longer than that of a paraffin candle.

What form should I take to make a candle?

It can be different, depending on what size and shape you prefer. Transparent glass containers, tea cups, jars are also suitable for these purposes. baby food, boxes made of thick cardboard, plastic cups(from yoghurt, cottage cheese, cookies, etc.), orange peel, aluminum molds (for tea candles)….

DIY wick for candles

You can buy it ready-made, take it from a finished candle if you are melting it, or make it yourself.

For this we need:

• balsa wood or bamboo sticks
• olive or sunflower oil
• scissors
• napkins

Cut the stick to the desired length and place it in olive oil for 20 minutes. This will extend the burning time of the wick. Take them out and blot them with a paper towel.

And the second option for making a wick from cotton thread. We will need:

• cotton thread, you can take floss threads
• salt
• water
• borax

Cut several strips of cotton thread. In a glass of water, mix 1 tablespoon of salt and 3 tablespoons of borax. Place the threads there and leave them to soak for 12 hours. Next, let the threads dry completely.

Weave several dried threads together. Soak them in melted wax or paraffin. Let dry thoroughly. The wick is ready.

Flavors

Essential oils are ideal as flavoring agents. As they evaporate, they saturate the air with notes of aroma that have a healing effect on our body. If desired, you can make a mixture of oils for a specific purpose, for example, for relaxation, stimulation, uplifting, air disinfection, etc. The more essential oils you add to the candle mass, the more intense the scent will be. Also, beeswax candles are best avoided. I do not accept synthetic liquid or dry flavors, only plant esters. But if you are not against using them, then pay attention to quality and naturalness. As they say, do no harm!

Combination of essential oils for a scented candle

Dyes

The next component for making candles is dyes. This is also an optional ingredient. You can easily do without it. An ordinary wax crayon for children can act as a dye. First, it should be ground into fine crumbs and added to the already melted candle mass. Liquid food coloring will not work as it is made with... water based. They can be replaced by oil paints or special ones intended for candle making.

How to make a candle with your own hands at home?

So, we have decided on the shape, dyes, flavors and the candle mass itself. It's time to make the product itself.

Let's repeat what we need:

1. paraffin or wax
2. form
3. flavorings (if needed)
4. dyes (if needed)
5. a saucepan with water and a metal container for melting the base in a water bath
6. wick
7. glue gun
8. wick support sticks

The first thing to do is place the wick in a container where we will pour wax or paraffin. With help glue gun glue it to the bottom of the jar and fix it with wooden stick(pencil).

Melt the candle mixture in a water bath. As soon as it takes on a liquid form, you can add dyes and flavors.

Pour it into the mold. Let cool for several hours. Trim the wick as needed.

Decor

Can be used as decoration great amount material. Some of them are easy to prepare yourself. For example, dried citrus fruits are suitable for aroma candles: oranges, tangerines, grapefruit. To do this, cut them into slices, place baking paper on a baking sheet and place them in one layer. Set the oven to 60-70 degrees. It is at this temperature that the fruits will not be baked, but dried. When you notice that the preparations have taken on the appearance of dried fruit, you can take them out.

Another decorative option for candles is ribbons, lace and decorative threads. Since these are flammable materials, you need to be careful when handling them. It is better to tie it, attach it to the candlestick itself.

Cinnamon sticks, whole coffee beans, pine cones and shells are great for this purpose. The main thing is to show imagination and creativity. As for gel suppositories, there can be no restrictions at all.

In order for your imagination to run wild and inspiration to come, watch the video presentation that I specially prepared for you. I'm sure you'll find a ton of creative ideas for yourself.

If you prefer aromatherapy and plan to make scented candles, I recommend using essential oils good quality, not cheap flavors. Esters can not only give a charming, special atmosphere thanks to their scents, but also provide benefits.

OK it's all over Now! Now you know how to make candles with your own hands. Enjoy your creation! I hope you understood my master class! Leave your comments at the bottom of the page. I kiss everyone! Bye bye!

Decor