If you’re an at-home candle maker or just beginning your journey in crafting your candles, you might be wondering about the best way to incorporate essential oils into your creations. Essential oils can add a beautiful, soothing aroma to your candles, along with a variety of therapeutic properties. In this article, we’ll explore when to add essential oils to soy wax and tips to get the most out of your candle making experience.
Why Soy Wax?
Soy wax has become increasingly popular in the candle-making world due to its natural, eco-friendly nature. Made from the oil of soybeans, soy wax is a renewable resource and burns cleaner than traditional paraffin wax. It also has a longer burn time, making it an ideal choice for candles infused with the health-boosting properties of essential oils.
When to Add Essential Oils to Soy Wax
When making candles with soy wax, it’s crucial to add your essential oils at the proper stage in the candle-making process. If oils are added too early, the high temperature can cause them to evaporate, leading to a weaker scent and diminished therapeutic benefits. To ensure the perfect blend, follow these steps:
- Begin by melting your soy wax in a double boiler, with the temperature reaching between 160-180°F (71-82°C).
- While the wax is melting, prepare your containers with their wicks secured at the bottom.
- Once the wax has fully melted, remove it from the heat source and let it cool to approximately 120-130°F (49-54°C). Cooling the wax to this temperature is essential to prevent the essential oils’ aroma from being overshadowed by the soy wax’s scent.
- Add the chosen essential oils to the cooled wax. The recommended amount is 6-8% of the wax’s weight, but you can adjust it to your preference.
- Gently stir the wax and essential oils together, ensuring that the oils are evenly distributed.
- Slowly and carefully pour the mixture into your prepared containers, allowing the soy wax to cool and solidify around the wick.
- Give the candles time to cure, ideally 24-48 hours, before burning them to let the scent to properly settle.
Choosing the Right Essential Oils
Selecting high-quality essential oils is key to achieving the desired aroma and therapeutic benefits in your candles. At Oshu Oils, our Artisan Essential Earth Oils are crafted by a team of aromacologists, ensuring expertly blended botanical ingredients that promote balance, energy, relaxation, and overall wellbeing. When choosing essential oils for your candles, opt for those that complement each other in terms of their therapeutic benefits and scent profile, creating a harmonious blend.
When To Add Essential Oils To Soy Wax Example:
Imagine you want to create a soothing, calming candle with lavender and chamomile essential oils. Start by melting 1 lb (453 grams) of soy wax in a double boiler until it reaches 170°F (77°C). Remove the wax from the heat source and let it cool to 120°F (49°C).
For a 6% scent load, measure 27 grams (1 oz) of the essential oil blend (you can use a 50/50 mix of lavender and chamomile or adjust it to your desired balance). Add the essential oils to the cooled wax and gently stir the mixture.
Pour the wax blend into your prepared containers and let them cool completely. Allow the candles to cure for at least 24 hours before burning to fully enjoy the calming aroma and benefits of your lavender and chamomile-infused soy candles.
Crafting your candles infused with essential oils is a fun and rewarding project that can help you create a more balanced and relaxing environment in your home. Not only do these candles emit beautiful, soothing scents, but they can also provide numerous therapeutic benefits. So go ahead and share your newfound knowledge with fellow candle enthusiasts! To explore more essential oil tips and guides, be sure to check out our other articles on Oshu Oils’ blog. And don’t forget to browse the Oshu Oils range of Artisan Essential Earth Oils to find the perfect blend for your next candle-making project!
