DIY scented soy candles

In the days leading up to Christmas, I dusted a huge box of candle supplies off and proceeded to spend one lovely afternoon making scented soy candles.

Making your own scented soy candles is so painless and simple, I often wonder why people still buy them from the stores...truly! I'm re-posting this tutorial today, just in case you would like to give this DIY project a go too.

You'll need: soy wax, glass container (old jam jars work just fine), wicks, fragrance oils, warning labels, adhesive tabs, and paddle pop sticks (with holes drilled in the centre). You can buy all these from a candle supply store, I personally use these guys, as they do recommend wick types to suit different sized candles and they have an amazing range of fragrance oils available - from fruity to floral to spicy to yummy (blueberry muffin, anyone?).

1. Heat the soy wax in the cooking pot over low-medium heat on stove.

2. While the wax is melting, attach the adhesive tabs to the bottom of the wicks tab and place the wick in the centre of the jar, then press down.

3.Stick the warning label and safety instructions on the bottom of each glass container.

4. When the wax has melted, measure it out and wait to cool (I wait till the measuring jar is comfortably warm to touch).

5. Add fragrance oil and stir well with a paddle pop stick. The general rule for adding fragrance oil is to use 10% of the wax volume. So in the cause I added 70 ml of fragrance oil to 700 ml of melted wax. Note if using essential oil (which is more concentrated) to only use 5%.

6. Pour into prepared glass containers. Use paddle pop stick with hole drilled in center to straighten your wick until your candle is completely set.

7. Leave for 3-4 hours or until completely set.

8. Trim the wicks to about 1 cm in length. Decorate with ribbons, lace, etc

Cleaning tip: Use hot water and soap to effortlessly clean soy wax from pot and measuring jar as well as any spills.

I like to keep a supply of scent candles handy to use, as well as for gifts. This batch of candles went to my lovely neighbors for Christmas. My street really smelled gorgeous over Christmas!