DIY Plant-Based Candles
On those all-too-common cold, wet and windy days in the UK, you may find yourself at a bit of a loss as to what to do with your time. You don’t quite feel up to braving the outdoors, but you still want to find an activity to keep yourself entertained. Creating your very own scented candle is a great way to have some fun while staying snug at home! What’s more, you’ll find yourself with a nice new decoration at the end, perfect for when you cosy up on the sofa later in the evening. You can even get your friends and family involved! So, read on to discover our guide to creating your own plant-based candles, and get creative!
What you’ll need:
• A measuring cup
• A funnel
• 2 chopsticks
• Candle wick
• A hot plate
• A saucepan
• 1 sachet of soy wax (we used 300g)
• Dried petals
• Essential oil (ideally with a floral fragrance)
• 2 glass jars
How to create your plant-based candle in 6 easy steps!
Check out our video to follow our 6 easy steps to creating your very own candle:
1. Prepare your jars: Check that you have enough wax to fill the jars that you have chosen. To do so, you’ll want to figure out how much liquid the jar can hold by placing it on your weighing scales. Set your scales to zero, then fill the jar with water. The weight of wax needed is equal to the weight of the water.
2. Melt your wax: In a saucepan, melt the wax, adding in a few drops of your floral-scented essential oil.
3. Position the wicks: hold your wick against the side of the jar to get an idea of its length. Then, tie the wick around your chopstick. Balance the chopstick on top of the jar, making sure the wick is positioned in the centre.
4. Using a funnel, pour your wax until the jar is halfway full. Sprinkle the surface with dried petals. Continue pouring the wax, until you fill the jar. Scatter a few more petals on top to add a decorative touch.
5. Repeat this process with your second jar.
6. Leave the wax to cool.
Top tip: You can always replace soy wax with coconut wax, or even use wax from old candles you no longer use.
2. Melt your wax: In a saucepan, melt the wax, adding in a few drops of your floral-scented essential oil.
3. Position the wicks: hold your wick against the side of the jar to get an idea of its length. Then, tie the wick around your chopstick. Balance the chopstick on top of the jar, making sure the wick is positioned in the centre.
4. Using a funnel, pour your wax until the jar is halfway full. Sprinkle the surface with dried petals. Continue pouring the wax, until you fill the jar. Scatter a few more petals on top to add a decorative touch.
5. Repeat this process with your second jar.
6. Leave the wax to cool.
Top tip: You can always replace soy wax with coconut wax, or even use wax from old candles you no longer use.
It’s time to light your candle!
There you have it – job done! Now you can curl up in your pyjamas and enjoy the beautiful smell of your nice new candle, homemade with love!