Things You'll Need
Candle (paraffin) wax
Double boiler
Candle or soap dye
Fragrance oil
Thermometer
Tabbed wick
Glass or jar
Popsicle stick or pencil
Newspaper
Metal pouring container
Before the days of electricity, candle-making was a necessary skill. Today, it has become a popular crafting hobby. You can easily make scented candles that smell just like your favorite soap. In the steps below, fragrance oils found at local craft and hobby stores are combined with paraffin wax to create scented soap candles.
Step 1
Bring a few cups of water to a boil in the bottom of a double boiler. Add the desired amount of wax to the top of the double boiler. Allow the wax to melt completely.
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Step 2
Add a few shavings/drops of candle or soap dye directly to the wax. Add a few drops of fragrance oil. Use as much or as little as you like of these ingredients. Mix into the wax thoroughly.
Step 3
Check the temperature of the wax using a thermometer. It should be around 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Remove from the heat once it reaches this temperature.
Step 4
Place the wick inside the glass or jar with the tabbed end resting in the bottom. Pour a tablespoon or so of wax inside to hold the wick in place. Allow this wax to solidify around the wick.
Step 5
Attach the Popsicle stick or pencil to the other end of the wick. Tie it around and rest the stick/pencil on top of the glass/jar. This will keep the wick in place while the wax is poured and hardens.
Step 6
Lay out the newspaper to prevent wax from adhering to your work surface. Place the wicked jar on the newspaper. Transfer the wax into the metal pouring container and then pour into the jar.
Step 7
Poke two or three holes in the wax around the wick. This prevents air pockets from building up within the wax. As the candle begins to harden, the middle will sink and you'll need to add a bit more wax to top it off.
Step 8
Remove the Popsicle stick or pencil from the wick once the candle has completely hardened. This usually takes three hours or more. Trim the wick to the desired size, light and enjoy.
Tip
If a double boiler is not available, a metal bowl may be placed over the top of a sauce pan filled with boiling water. Solid or liquid candle dye may be used. However, solid tends to result in a richer color and is preferred over liquid. If you do not have a tabbed wick, you can tie one end of a regular wick to a dime or penny and use this as the tab instead. It won't be seen once the wax is poured over it. When topping off the candle, the wax will have to be melted again or you'll need to make another small batch. The original wax, if there is any left over, will have hardened.
Warning
Do not use essential oils to make scented candles. They are too volatile and the scent will not last in a candle. Instead, use fragrance oils made specifically for candles, potpourri and other crafts. They are typically found in a vast array of scents, similar to those of your favorite soaps.
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