If you're ready to make candles at home, there are a few things to pick up first. Luckily, the list is short and you can tailor it to your space and budget! This article goes over the essential tools you need to get started.
Find all our candle making supplies here.
Image courtesy of Particle Goods
Wax
There are plenty of waxes to choose from and you can even create your own blends. We offer three types.
- Soy wax - This is an affordable and beginner-friendly wax, and it's also vegan. It has a low melting point and no scent. For more information about making soy wax candles, check out How to Make Soy Wax Candles.
- Beeswax - This comes from the sustainable practice of honey farming. The wax has a natural sweet scent and a high melting point. If you want to learn more about making candles with beeswax, read How to Make Beeswax Candles.
- Coconut wax - Add this wax to your candles for a slower burn and great scent throw. We don't recommend using it alone because it's too soft. Start at 10% of the total weight of your candle.
Fragrances
All of our scents can be used in candles - just choose your favorite! However, we do recommend making a small test batch to check the strength and to ensure you like the way it smells when burned. Start with 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax and adjust from there. To learn more about fragrance in candles, check out How to Test Fragrances in Candles.
Containers
We have jars of all shapes, sizes, and colors. You can also use recycled options like Mason jars. Just make sure they're heat safe and sturdy - go for glass, ceramic, and tin instead of plastic. If you want to see why we love container candles, read 7 Reasons to Choose Container Candles.
Wicks
Choose from cotton or wood wicks. Both work well in candles! They're based off the size of your container - the larger the diameter, the larger the wick. We list size recommendations on each product page. From there, test until you find the perfect fit. To help, we have a Candle Wick Size Guide, and some information on How To Pick Candle Wicks For Homemade Candles. If you're interested in trying out wood wicks, check out How To Use Wooden Wicks In Candle Making.
Tools
Once you have all the ingredients, you can stock up on tools that make the process easy. Here's what we recommend.
- A thermometer so you know when to add scent and pour your wax.
- A double boiler to melt the wax. If you don't have one on hand, you can put a heat-safe pitcher in simmering water or place a heat-safe bowl on top.
- A scale for accurate measurements.
- A wood or silicone spoon to stir the wax.
- Clothespins, straws, or chopsticks to hold the wicks in place.
- Scissors to trim the wicks.
- Newspaper or parchment paper to protect your work surface.
- A spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol and paper towels for cleanup.
That's it! Once you have your supplies, you can get creative. Find DIY candle making projects In the Studio.
More resources
How to Make Beeswax Candles
How to Make Soy Wax Candles
How to Color Candles
