DIY scented candles are perfect for creating a relaxed atmosphere and learning how to make scented candles is loads of fun too!
You can even curate your candles so that your scents suit different rooms – try relaxing lavender for the bedroom, yummy vanilla for the kitchen, or even cinnamon for your Christmas candles.
The key to creating perfect DIY scented candles is getting the measurements perfect – too much and it’ll be overpowering, too little and you won’t notice it.
So for this tutorial, Lauren Ferguson shows you how to make scented candles using precise measurements with digital scales!
Not ready to buy all the supplies?
No worries, you can always try one of these fabulous candle making kits instead.
How to make scented candles
You will need
- Soy pillar wax (we used Kerax KeraSoy 4120 Pillar Wax)
- Candle dye in orange, pink and lilac (we used Bekro Candle Dye in 6099/25 Orange, 35/4141 Light Rose Pink and 60/1127 Lilac)
- French vanilla fragrance oil
- Flat cotton candle wick, 20mm (1/8")
- Thermometer
- Wick centring tool (you can use a flat stick for this)
- Putty or blue tack
- Candle mould
- Digital scales
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For the two-tone pillar candle
Step 1
Prepare the area you’ll be working in before starting, making sure you have a flat, stable surface, and that all the equipment is clean and completely free of any dust, dirt or moisture.
Step 2
Cut a length of wick a few centimetres longer than the mould, then feed the wick down through the length of the mould.
Position the excess wick at the top, then thread this through the wick centring tool – this will ensure the wick is kept in place and well-centred when the wax is added.
Secure the wick at the base of the mould with a piece of putty or Blue Tac to stop the wax from leaking.
Step 3
Weigh out the amount of wax needed for the bottom layer of the candle – we used 75g.
If you’re not sure how much wax is needed, fill the mould with water then pour this into a measuring jug to get an amount in millilitres.
Take 20% off this figure to leave roughly the amount of wax the mould holds in grams, then use two-thirds of this amount for the bottom layer.
Step 4
Add a couple of inches of water to a saucepan and bring it to a moderate heat.
Place the wax into a metal jug or glass bowl, then place this into the pan of water. Reduce the heat to a simmer.
Step 5
Allow the wax to melt to around 70°C while stirring it gently to help remove any air bubbles that might be trapped. Make sure the temperature doesn’t exceed 80°C.
Step 6
Once the wax has melted, remove the jug or bowl from the heat and immediately add in 0.15g of lilac dye – approximately one flake – mixing it into the wax thoroughly. Leave the wax to stand and cool to around 60-65°C.
Step 7
At 60-65°C, add the fragrance oil to the wax.
Most waxes will take 6% to 12% of fragrance oil, but refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines to check – we added 6ml, using the digital scales to measure the amount.
Stir for at least one minute to make sure the wax and oil have blended.
Step 8
Once the wax temperature reaches around 55-60°C, pour it carefully and slowly into the mould to avoid any air bubbles.
Step 9
Leave to set for around 20-30 minutes on a flat, stable surface.
Repeat steps 3-8 using:
- 35g of wax
- 0.07g of pink dye roughly one flake)
- 3ml of fragrance oil.
Pour the second wax colour into the mould on top of the first colour.
Step 10
Leave the candle to cool and set for 12-24 hours on a flat, stable surface. During this time, try to ensure the room temperature remains moderate and consistent where possible.
Step 11
Once the candle has set, carefully remove it from the mould and trim any excess wick.
If the candle doesn’t come out easily, try putting it in the freezer for five minutes – this will cause the wax to shrink slightly.
If using soy wax, leave the candle to cure for at least three to four days before using. This allows the fragrance to spread out evenly, and the fragrance oil and the wax to bind together.
For the spiral candle
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Repeat steps 1-11 using:
- 75g of wax at step 3
- 0.15g of orange dye (approximately 2-3 flakes) at Step 6
- 6ml of fragrance oil at step 7
The process will not need to be repeated at step 9 – just fill the mould to the top, then leave the candle to cool and set for 12-24 hours.
Remove from the mould as per step 11 to finish.
Wonderful wax melts
If you like the idea of giving someone special a scented gift, try our how to make wax melts tutorial – they make perfect little pressies!
Now enjoy your DIY scented candles safely
Learning how to make scented candles is a fun craft, but it’s important to stay safe. As much as you might love that new scent, never leave a candle unattended – your house won’t smell so fresh if it sets on fire!
Become a candle-making expert
Find out everything you need to know in our complete guide to making candles on Gathered.
