In life, there are many things that we can do to bring us joy and also help with our wellness. Doing things you like or trying new things and ideas can be mentally stimulating. You might wonder what you can do during your free time that can also be fun; here is a suggestion— try making essential oil candles.
Have you ever walked into a friend’s apartment or any home and you find that the scent of the house is very present and there are lit candles at every corner of the house? If yes, then the scent results from those candles since they happen to be scented. Numerous reports have stated that aroma therapy is good for your health, primarily mental health, and it can also have a calming effect on you.
By making your candles, you reduce the risk of inhaling the toxic fumes that result from burning pre-made candles that are made using toxic chemicals. It's obvious that right now, the idea of candle making seems like a stretch and very complicated but a promise to you candle making can be very relaxing and simple. So here is a complete guide to DIY essential candles.
Selecting The Perfect Wax
Before starting this process, you should understand that the first batch doesn’t always come out great, so don't give up. For quality candles, you should also ensure that your ingredients are of top quality. There are three kinds of wax that make the best candles; soy wax, beeswax, and paraffin wax. Most of the pre-made candles are made of paraffin wax since it's cheaper. However, studies have proved that when burnt, they emit the same fumes as diesel exhaust, and its soot also happens to be harmful. So paraffin wax is not the ideal choice, so you are left with beeswax or soy wax.
Both beeswax and soy wax are non-toxic and much denser, meaning they last longer and burn slowly. When it comes to scent, beeswax has a mild honey scent that is pleasant and soothing, while soy wax’s scent isn’t that strong. Also, beeswax burns with a bright warm yellow flame while soy burns with a cool blue flame. So, it's up to you to pick the wax you’d prefer from the two.
Selecting A Wick
Since the best waxes are denser, you would need to pick a wick that burns even hotter. There are two kinds of wicks that are easily found, and most prefer the cotton wick and the hemp wick. It is also important to remember that when selecting a wick, the wick should be all-natural and not synthetic. Between the two wicks, the hemp wick burns hotter than the cotton wick making it the best option in this case.
Choosing Which Essential Oils to Use
Candles are known to be a useful tool in aroma therapy. As the candle burns, so does the scent disperse, filling up the room. When making scented candles, the aim is to create a candle you would like, so the choice of the oils is up to you. Different oils have different therapeutic qualities, such as reflective, relaxing, or uplifting, but some are more potent than others. Some of the popular scents include: Cinnamon, vanilla, white fir, eucalyptus, sandalwood, cedarwood, bergamot, geranium, lemon, grapefruit, sweet orange, cassia. You can also decide to create your scent by mixing the different oils.
After you have settled on the scent, wick, and wax you will use, you can begin the process. Here is a list of ingredients and tools you'll need: A measuring cup, 2 Mason jars, Wax of your choice, Essential oils of your choice, A wick, A bamboo skewer to hold the wick, Heat source, Hot glue or any sticky substance that can hold the skewer.
Procedure
Place the wax at least 20 ounces in one of the mason jars and place it on top of the heat source. Tie the wick onto the bamboo skewer to ensure that the wick is long enough that it can reach both ends of the candle. Put a dab of hot glue at the bottom of the other mason jar and place the wick tied to the skewer directly on top of it. Ensure that the wick is straight. When the wax is completely melted, switch off the heat. Add at least 30 drops of essential oil into the melted wax and stir before it hardens. Pour the mixture into the mason jar containing the wick and let it settle for it to harden.
You can also refrigerate it to speed up the hardening process. Once the candle is fully formed, you can cut the wick (the part tied to the skewer) at least an inch above the candle. There you have it, your own homemade candle. When making your candle, you must have a designated working station and keep the essential oils away from fire since they are highly flammable. If your candle starts losing its sent, you can melt it down and add more oils. To avoid this, always cover your candle after use.
