There is nothing like a burning candle in the winter months to cozy up a home. Learn how to make the easiest DIY beeswax candles with this video tutorial, as well as simple written instructions.
I used to burn candles all the time. Then I came across an article about the toxins found in the wax and wicks. Well, there went that and all the candles!
My husband always gets nervous when I’m up googling because usually, it results in something else in our home being unhealthy. No, we can’t be perfect, and we don’t have a perfectly toxic-free home. But I am going to try my best!
Most of the time, I just run the diffusers to get the scent I want, but having a candle burning adds an extra cozy touch. Don’t let candle making overwhelm you, as it did me for a long time, because it is actually a very simple process.
THE EASIEST BEESWAX CANDLE RECIPE
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound beeswax
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 6 4 ounce mason jars (or 3 1/2 pint mason jars )
- Candle Wicks
- Metal pitcher or old coffee tin
- Large Pot that will fit your metal pitcher (or metal container you are using)
- Bamboo Skewers or pencils
- Essential oils (optional, my favorite combinations are listed below)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add the beeswax to a metal pitcher or metal can. I suggest using a metal container that you can throw away when you are done because it is next to impossible to clean beeswax out of dishes. I am using an old popcorn tin.
- Place the metal container into a large pot of water and bring to a boil. This is your double boiler! Turn heat down to medium and occasionally stir until all the beeswax is melted. Be sure the water doesn’t splash into the beeswax container.
- Once the beeswax is completely melted, remove from heat and stir in the coconut oil. (This helps the beeswax burn slower.)
- Add in 30-50 drops of essential oils of choice. (optional)
- Secure a wick at the bottom of the mason jar with a little glue and then fill the jar with the melted wax and coconut oil. Leave about an inch of room at the top of the jar.
- Using a pencil or bamboo skewer, wrap the other end of the wick around it and lay it horizontally across the top center of the jar. This will keep the wick centered while the wax hardens.
- Once the wax is completely hardened, you can trim the wick, and it is ready to light. It should be about 1/2 inch long.
ESSENTIAL OILS
- If you are making candles to scent your house, it is going to take a lot of essential oils. It would be more cost-effective to use a diffuser if you are trying to get a specific aroma to fill the home.
- You can use essential oils in your candles, and they do let off a scent, but you will have to add about 30-50 drops of essential oils per candle. I personally rather not use that much essential oil in a candle and instead add 4-6 drops to a diffuser.
- The trick is to add the essential oils when the wax is still hot and not hardened, but not so hot that the essential oils evaporate. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding the essential oils and then stir them in.
- I prefer to light an unscented candle for the cozy feel and run my diffuser to get the scent. This allows you to get more of the aromatic benefits and still gives you a nice smelling, cozy home.
If you decide to add essential oils to your candles (which I have and really enjoyed), here are some combinations that smell really nice together:
Bergamont + Wild Orange + Lime
Geranium + Lemongrass
Peppermint + Lemon + Wild Orange
Cassia + Cinnamon + Siberian Fir (This is a great one for Christmas!)
Lavender + Sandalwood + Vetiver + Patchouli
Rosemary + Juniper Berry + Tangerine
WHAT IS WRONG WITH STORE BOUGHT CANDLES
Not all store-bought candles are bad. However, most are filled with toxins. Candles can contain toxic chemicals in the wax and wicks. When they are being burned, these toxins are being released into your home and polluting the air.
Most candles are made with paraffin wax, which creates highly toxic chemicals that are known carcinogens when burned.
To maintain better air quality within the home, consider making homemade candles using beeswax, which is full of benefits, or using an essential oil diffuser.
You can also read more about beeswax and soy wax here.
SOME NOTES AND TIPS ABOUT THE CANDLES
- If you have ever made anything with beeswax before, you know how hard it can be to clean off dishes. I use beeswax in my homemade lip balm, sunscreen, and Christmas candles.
- Try to use the least amount of dishes as possible, and if you can, it is best to use things that can be thrown away—or saved for all your beeswax DIYs.
- You can make these candles in a crockpot by putting the wax straight in the jars and letting them warm up in the crockpot to melt the wax. This is an excellent option if you don’t have a throwaway metal container to use.
- When you go to light your candle for the first time, if the wick is sparking or smoking, just blow it out and recut your wick. If it is much shorter than 1/2 inch, it will cause the candle to burn down in a tunnel shape.
- Get creative and use old coffee mugs or little cute vintage containers as your base. Anything that is heat resistant can make a cute candle holder.
Have you ever made your own homemade candles? Did you scent them? Which essential oils did you use and like most? Share with us in the comments below!
Looking for the scent of a candle without worrying about an open flame? Try these Homemade Candle Wax Melts
PIN IT FOR LATER
What to read next:
- Candle dipping for beginners
- How to make mason jar candles with dried flowers
- Homemade coffee candles
Beeswax Candle Recipe
Equipment
- Metal container
- Bamboo Skewers or pencils
- 4 Mason jars This will fill 6 4-oz mason jars.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beeswax
- ½ cup coconut oil
- Candle Wicks
- Essential oils optional
Instructions
- Pour the beeswax into a metal container or pitcher.
- Place the metal container into a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium and stir occasionally until the wax is melted. Make sure no water splashes into the wax container.
- Once the beeswax is completely melted, remove from heat and stir in the coconut oil.
- Add in 30-50 drops of essential oils of choice if you want to make a scented candle. This is optional.
- Secure a wick at the bottom of the mason jar with a little glue and then fill the jar with the melted wax and coconut oil. Leave about an inch of room at the top of the jar.
- Using a pencil or bamboo skewer, wrap the end of the wick around it and lay it horizontal over the jar. This will keep the wick in the center while the wax hardens. (See video tutorial)
- Once the wax is completely hardened, trim the wick to about 1/2 in and it is ready to light.
Marissa says
I have had a few trial and errors now making candles at home. How do I prevent the tops from caving in so deep in the middle when they cool? When the top initially cools it is flat, but then I go back a few hours later and I have a massive sink hole:(
Laura says
Make sure the wax isn’t too hot when pouring it in and pour slowly.
Davey says
It says that you can add 30 – 50 drops of essential oil per candle (6 candles is at minimum 180 drops). This recipe is for 6 candles, but you describe only adding 30 – 50 in the wax (total, not per candle).
This confused me. Do I need to add 30 – 50 drops total to the wax amount or at least 180 drops (6 times 30)?
I think you mean 30 – 50 drops per 4oz candle? Correct?
Happy holidays!
Laura says
Yes, correct!
Kim Greenfield says
Kim Greenfield very good candle making kit video
Laura says
I made my first attempt at making a beeswax candle and had an issue with the wax tunneling. Have you had experience with this issue and or know how to avoid that in the future??
April says
Can you substitute soy wax for the beeswax?
Laura says
Yes
Anna says
This recipe sounds awesome! Will a double boiler (or a makeshift double boiler) work as well? By the way, I love your recipes and find myself looking at them in my free time! Thank you!
Laura says
Thank you so much! Yes, a make-shift double boiler works too!
Gladys says
Hi, do you have the instructions to make the candles in the crock pot? Thanks!
Laura says
Yes! It is in this post: https://www.ouroilyhouse.com/diy-christmas-candles/
Lindsay says
What’s the burn time for 4oz candle?
Mary says
Just as an FYI, the wicks you used/recommend are dipped with paraffin wax which is toxic.
Laura says
Thanks for letting me know.
Susan says
Thank you for this recipe!
As info, lemon oil will help remove beeswax. I’ve used it to clean off my knife after cutting down some of my rendered beeswax. (I have honey bees and love Doterra!😁)
Laura says
That is a great tip!! Thank you for sharing!
Ashley Presciutti says
This is so cute! I’m going to make these for my neighbors the Christmas!
Laura says
They are so easy to do too!
Vira says
I was trying to find the labels you mentioned for the beeswax candles and couldn’t find them.
Natasha says
How many candles does this make?
lauraascher says
It depends on the container you put them in, for the little mason jars that I linked you can make 4.
Karla says
That’s such a great trick with the coconut oil! I would have never guessed it and will definitely try that next time I make a candle cause I burn through them quickly as well. Thanks for sharing!
Heather says
I tried making my first set of candles. Do you know why my wax cracked around the top after it cooled? Other than that, they turned out great and I can’t wait to try them out.
Heather
Laura says
Common for even experienced candle makers, a rough top is caused by air escaping out of the top surface of the wax. Cracks or little holes can form on the top of your newly poured candles, caused by air bubbles trapped in the wax.
To avoid air bubbles you can pour the wax into the container in batches and lighly pick it up and back down onto the counter to get air bubbles out.
foloren torium says
I very pleased to find this web site on bing, just what I was looking for : D likewise saved to my bookmarks.
lauraascher says
Thank you! Glad you are here and enjoying my content!