Make Non-toxic Candles: A Simple, Natural DIY Project
Creating your own non-toxic candles at home is not only rewarding but also allows you complete control over the ingredients. With growing concerns about the chemicals in commercial candles, making your own natural alternatives ensures your home remains free from potentially harmful substances while still enjoying beautiful, fragrant candlelight. This guide will walk you through the process of creating safe, eco-friendly candles that you can customize to your preferences.
Why Make Non-toxic Candles?
Many store-bought candles contain paraffin wax (a petroleum byproduct), artificial fragrances, and sometimes even lead wicks. When burned, these can release chemicals into your home’s air. By making your own candles with natural ingredients like beeswax or soy wax, cotton wicks, and essential oils, you create a cleaner burning alternative that’s better for your health and the environment.
Materials and Tools Needed
Before starting your candle-making project, gather all necessary supplies. Using high-quality ingredients ensures the best results for your non-toxic candles.
| Materials | Tools |
|---|---|
| Beeswax or soy wax (organic if possible) | Double boiler or heat-safe bowl and pot |
| 100% cotton wicks with metal-free bases | Thermometer (optional but helpful) |
| Essential oils (not fragrance oils) | Heat-resistant measuring cup or pitcher |
| Mason jars, recycled glass containers, or candle molds | Wooden skewers or chopsticks |
| Wick stickers or hot glue (optional) | Scissors |
| Dried herbs or flowers (optional) | Kitchen scale |
Choosing the Right Wax
The foundation of a non-toxic candle is the wax you choose. Here are the most popular natural options:
Beeswax
Beeswax is considered one of the best choices for non-toxic candles. It’s completely natural, burns longer than other waxes, and actually helps purify the air by releasing negative ions that can bind with toxins and remove them from the air. Beeswax has a naturally sweet, honey-like scent and a beautiful golden color. It’s more expensive than other options but provides superior burn quality.
Soy Wax
Made from soybean oil, soy wax is a renewable resource and biodegradable. It burns cleaner than paraffin and is generally less expensive than beeswax. Look for 100% soy wax that’s non-GMO for the most natural option. Soy wax has a longer burn time than paraffin and holds scent well, making it ideal for scented candles.
Coconut Wax
A newer option in natural candle making, coconut wax burns cleanly and slowly. It has excellent scent throw and creates a smooth surface when cooled. Often, coconut wax is blended with soy to create an ideal consistency.
Selecting Wicks
The wick is just as important as the wax for creating a truly non-toxic candle. Look for:
– 100% cotton wicks (unbleached if possible)
– Wood wicks (made from natural wood)
– Avoid any wicks with metal cores, as some may contain lead or zinc
The size of your wick matters too – it should match your container diameter. Too small, and your candle will tunnel; too large, and it may smoke or burn too quickly.
Step-by-Step Candle Making Process
Follow these steps to create your own non-toxic candles at home:
1. Prepare Your Containers (10 minutes)
Clean your containers thoroughly and dry completely. Any moisture can interfere with the wax setting properly. If using recycled jars, remove labels and adhesive residue with oil or vinegar.
Position your wicks in the center of each container. You can use wick stickers, a small dab of hot glue, or even a bit of melted wax to secure them. Once placed, wrap the excess wick around a wooden skewer or pencil laid across the top of the container to keep it centered and straight.
2. Measure Your Wax (5 minutes)
Using your kitchen scale, measure the appropriate amount of wax. As a general rule:
– For container candles: Weight of wax = Volume of container × 0.8
– Example: For an 8 oz jar, you’ll need approximately 6.4 oz of wax
This accounts for the wax shrinking as it cools and leaves room for any additives.
3. Melt the Wax (15-20 minutes)
Set up your double boiler by filling a pot with a few inches of water and placing your heat-safe bowl or measuring cup on top. The water should not touch the bottom of the bowl.
Add your measured wax to the bowl and heat over medium-low heat. Never leave melting wax unattended, as it can be a fire hazard if overheated.
For beeswax: Heat until completely melted (around 160-170°F)
For soy wax: Heat to about 180°F, then remove from heat
Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon or skewer to ensure even melting.
4. Add Essential Oils (5 minutes)
Once your wax is melted, remove it from heat and let it cool slightly. The ideal temperature for adding essential oils is:
– Beeswax: 145-150°F
– Soy wax: 125-135°F
If you add oils when the wax is too hot, the heat can damage the therapeutic properties and scent of the oils.
For scent strength, use approximately:
– 30-40 drops (or about 1 tsp) of essential oil per 8 oz of wax
Popular non-toxic scent combinations include:
– Lavender and vanilla
– Orange and cinnamon
– Rosemary and mint
– Lemon and eucalyptus
Stir gently but thoroughly to distribute the oils evenly.
5. Pour the Wax (5 minutes)
Carefully pour the scented wax into your prepared containers, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top. Pour slowly to avoid air bubbles and splashing.
If you’re adding dried herbs or flowers for decoration, add them now by gently pressing them against the sides of the container with a skewer.
6. Let Set and Cure (24-48 hours)
Allow your candles to cool and solidify completely at room temperature. This typically takes 4-5 hours, but for the best scent throw, let them cure for 24-48 hours before burning.
Once fully set, trim the wick to about ¼ inch above the wax surface.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even experienced candle makers encounter problems occasionally. Here are solutions to common issues:
Tunneling
Problem: The candle burns down the middle, leaving wax around the edges.
Solution: The wick is too small for the container. For existing candles, ensure the first burn is long enough to melt the entire top layer of wax (about 1 hour per inch of container diameter).
Sinkholes or Cracks
Problem: The candle surface has depressions or cracks after cooling.
Solution: The wax cooled too quickly. Try pouring at a slightly higher temperature or warming your containers beforehand.
Poor Scent Throw
Problem: The candle doesn’t release much fragrance when burning.
Solution: You may need more essential oil, or you added it when the wax was too hot. Also, natural candles generally have a more subtle scent than commercial ones with synthetic fragrances.
Smoky Flame
Problem: The candle produces smoke when burning.
Solution: The wick is too large or has debris on it. Trim the wick to ¼ inch before each use and keep candles away from drafts.
Tips for Making Candles with Kids
Making non-toxic candles can be a fun family activity with proper supervision. Here’s how to involve children safely:
1. Have children help with container preparation and decoration
2. Let them choose essential oil scents (under supervision)
3. Adults should handle all hot wax operations
4. Children can help with measuring ingredients
5. Use soy wax for kids’ projects as it melts at a lower temperature than beeswax
Creative Non-Toxic Candle Ideas
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try these creative variations:
Layered Candles
Create beautiful layered candles by pouring different colored waxes (tinted with natural colorants like herbs or spices) in stages, allowing each layer to partially set before adding the next.
Embedded Botanicals
Press dried lavender, rose petals, rosemary sprigs, or citrus zest against the sides of your container before pouring for a decorative effect.
Tea Light Refills
Make your own tea light refills using small metal containers and short wicks. These are perfect for quick projects and using up leftover wax.
Seasonal Scents
Create seasonal candles with appropriate essential oil blends:
– Spring: Lemon, lavender, and mint
– Summer: Citrus and coconut
– Fall: Cinnamon, clove, and orange
– Winter: Pine, cedarwood, and vanilla
Safety Considerations
Even non-toxic candles require proper safety precautions:
1. Never leave burning candles unattended
2. Keep away from drafts, flammable objects, and curious pets or children
3. Always place candles on heat-resistant surfaces
4. Extinguish candles when they burn to within ½ inch of the bottom
5. Keep the wick trimmed to ¼ inch
6. Allow sufficient time between making and burning your candles (24-48 hours)
Environmental Benefits of Non-Toxic Candles
By making your own natural candles, you’re not just creating a healthier home environment but also contributing to environmental sustainability:
– Natural waxes are renewable resources, unlike petroleum-based paraffin
– Reusing containers reduces waste
– Essential oils are derived from plants without synthetic processing
– Homemade candles typically have less packaging waste
– You control the ingredients, avoiding harmful chemicals
Final Thoughts
Making non-toxic candles at home is a rewarding craft that produces beautiful, safe, and personalized candles. While there’s a learning curve, the process is straightforward once you understand the basics. Start with simple container candles before moving on to more complex designs, and remember that practice makes perfect.
By choosing natural ingredients like beeswax or soy, cotton wicks, and pure essential oils, you’re creating candles that not only look and smell wonderful but also contribute to a healthier home environment. Whether making them for yourself or as thoughtful gifts, these natural candles bring light and warmth without unwanted chemicals.