Supplies

1. Soy Wax : To make candles you need soy wax flakes. Soy wax is a vegetable wax that burns clean and is biodegradable.
2. Coconut oil : Coconut oil helps to soften the laundry and can contribute to better scent distribution.
3. Candle wick : Choose a wick that is suitable for the diameter of your candle. For soy wax, HTP or ECO wicks are often good choices. The correct fuses can be found in the webshop.
4. Candle mold or holder : This can be a glass jar, a metal mold or a silicone mold.
5. Fragrance oils (optional) : to add a pleasant scent to your candles.
6. Dyes (optional) : Use candle dyes that are suitable for soy wax.
7. Melting pot : A double boiler or a special melting pot for candles.
8. Thermometer (optional) : To measure the temperature of the laundry.
9. Wick Stabilizer : This helps keep the wick straight while the wax solidifies.
10. Adhesive points : To attach the fuse to the bottom of the mold.
11. Kitchen scale : For accurate quantities of the ingredients.

Roadmap

Step 1. Preparing the workspace

• Ensure a well-ventilated area.
• Cover your work surface with newspaper or an old cloth to catch any spills.
• Have all necessary materials and tools ready.

Step 2. Prepare the molds

• Attach the wick to the bottom of the mold with an adhesive dot.
• Use the fuse stabilizer to keep the fuse straight. This can be done by passing the fuse through a pencil and placing the pencil over the opening of the mold.

Step 3. Melting the wax

• Weigh out the required amount of soy wax and coconut oil. A good ratio is 80% soy wax and 20% coconut oil. For example, for a 240 ml (8 oz) glass jar, use 160 grams of soy wax and 40 grams of coconut oil.
• Melt the wax and coconut oil together in a double boiler or melting pot. Heat the mixture slowly to about 70-80°C (160-180°F).

Step 4. Adding scent and color (optional)

• If you want to add fragrance oils, do so once the wax has completely melted. Use approximately 6-10% fragrance by weight of the wax (e.g. 10-20 ml of fragrance oils for 200 grams of wax and coconut oil together).
• Add the food colorings according to the manufacturer's instructions. Stir well so that the scent and color are evenly distributed.

Step 5. Pouring the wax

• Let the melted wax cool slightly to about 60-65°C (140-150°F) before pouring it into the mold. This helps to minimize shrinkage and cracking.
• Pour the wax slowly and carefully into the mold, keeping the wick straight.
• Leave a small amount of wax in the melting pot for any corrections later.

Step 6. Cool and correct

• Let the candles cool to room temperature. This can take several hours to overnight.
• If the wax shrinks as it cools and forms a hole around the wick, reheat the remaining wax and fill the hole.

Step 7. Finishing

• Once the candle has completely cooled and hardened, trim the wick to approximately 0.5 cm (¼ inch) above the candle surface.
• Remove any residue from the wick stabilizer and ensure that the wick is in an upright position.

Step 8. Save and use

• Let the candles rest for 24-48 hours before lighting them. This helps the scent develop better.
• Store the candles in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

Tips and Safety

• Always use fragrance oils and dyes specifically designed for candles.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of sand nearby in case of a fire.
• Never leave candles burning unattended and place them on a heat-resistant surface.
• Make sure the wick always remains straight and central during pouring and cooling.

With this tutorial you can create beautiful, homemade candles from soy wax and coconut oil. Good luck and have fun making candles!