Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Homemade Soy Candles for less than $2

You've heard my rant about paraffin candles before (in case you haven't here's the link).  Here's a little re-fresher on the reasons we burn soy candles instead of paraffin ones:
SOY
  • Soy wax is made from soybeans and vegetables, both renewable resources.
  • Soy wax burns much cleaner and purer as it is all natural, non-toxic, and non-hazardous.
  • This wax is biodegradable leading to reduced landfills.
  • Soy wax residue can be washed away with warm water and soap.
PARAFFIN
  • Derived from petroleum, a limited resource
  • The burning of paraffin wax contributes to indoor air contamination by emitting petro-chemicals causing soot deposits and carcinogenic particulate matter.
  • This wax contains petroleum by-products and additives that inhibit biodegradability.
  • Paraffin wax residue is quite troublesome, often impossible, to remove.
  • Purchasing paraffin products not only supports our dependence on this crude oil but also supports an industry riddled with environmental faux pas'.
So for those reasons we try really hard to only burn soy candles inside our home. We do run into a problem when looking for pillar candles, soy wax is a soft wax so it won't work in pillar form. Sometimes you can find soy/paraffin blended candles in pillar shape but they're usually considerably more expensive. Which brings me to today's post.

I started making my own soy candles . . . Soy candles are really expensive! Like insanely expensive, like $10 a candle or more for a teeny tiny candle!  So I found a tutorial on pinterest boasting Soy Survival Candles. It seemed easy enough so I ordered the materials off Amazon and got cracking errr . . . melting.

I know a lot of things on Pinterest look easy and really aren't, but this was SO EASY!

1.     First you order your wax, I ordered off Amazon 10 lbs of wax for $12 plus $10 shipping.  I also bought the wicks from Amazon. I checked Michaels first and even with a 50% off coupon it is way cheaper to buy wax from Amazon. I did buy my double boiler from Michaels with a 50% off coupon and paid just less than $10 for it!

 2.     Next you dump a few handfuls of wax into your double boiler (a double boiler could be another pot or a metal bowl, or even a heat safe glass bowl) I chose this one because it has a spout so I would be able to easily pour it into the jars.
3.     Heat your wax up until it's all melted . . . it will now resemble a jug of pee, seriously!

4.     Add a few drops of essential oils if you want scented candles, or don't add any if you want unscented candles. I make unscented ones and then add a few drops of scented oil later when it's burning on the coffee table!

5.     Place wicks into jars. You can affix them on to the bottom with wax or you can just hook them on a pencil like I did, that pencil kept them centered while the wax cooled.
6.     Pour Wax into glass mason jars.
My mom found these old mason jars for me at a yard sale for 25 cents each. I LOVE them, especially the glass tops!
 7.     Cool you jars of pee, aaaaahhhh I mean WAX.

8.     Once your wax sets it takes about 4 hours or so. Cut the wicks down to size about 1 inch long, screw on lid and you're golden (hehe, last pee joke I swear!).
The whole process took about 45 minutes.

I only used 4 lbs of the 10lbs I bought, and it made 6 HUGE candles that should burn approx 70+ hours each.

 It also made two smaller candles. And I still have 6 lbs left!  I think I might dry some lavender and put it in the next batch!! :)

It was really easy, really affordable and actually kind of fun to make!
I think they would make amazing Christmas gifts, or hostess gifts!! But this first batch is mine all mine!
I love a little homesteading project to start off the week . . . maybe I should change our blog name to "Mini Homesteader" . . .  okay, maybe not! ;)

42 comments:

  1. I love this project! This will be on my "to-do" list.

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  2. Thank you for sharing this, Ashli. These would make great gifts for my children's teachers.

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  3. You simply amaze me! You make every project look so simple. I too am such a candle-lover. I can't wait to make these ~for a fraction of what I'd pay otherwise. This made my day... You're the best!

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  4. You simply amaze me! You make every project look so simple. I too am such a candle-lover. I can't wait to make these ~for a fraction of what I'd pay otherwise. This made my day... You're the best!

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  5. I can't wait to try this! I love soy candles for all the reasons you outlined. And I love those canning jars with glass lids. Wonderful!

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  6. I love this!! The price of candles really irks me so this is an awesome alternative... it never would have occurred to me that it could be so inexpensive!

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  7. I'm curious- How do beeswax candles measure up? I'm sure they're better environmentally than parfin- I know I've seen pillars , but come to think of it I believe they were rolled sheets of beeswax. Could beeswax be mixed with soy & poured? I think you should hold a giveaway for a candle from your next batch.

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    Replies
    1. Beeswax is much better than paraffin! I believe they can mix soy and beeswax together although I'm sure it would be very expensive! You could definitely just burn beeswax candles! They don't emit as much Soot as paraffin ones do!
      Ashli :)

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  8. I LOVE this idea! Thank you for figuring it all out for us! Do you have any suggestions on where to get essential oils or how much to use for the candles?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jennifer,
      I purchase my oils from our local natural foods store but you can buy them from Michaels in the candle making section. As far as amount it's all personal preference, I don't like a lot of scent, in fact lots of scent really starts to irritate my sinus' so I only pop in a few drops. But you can do as much as you like!
      Lots of Love
      Ashli

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  9. Those mason jars are a great find! I'm jealous! I've made homemade citronella candles this way too. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Ashli, thank you for all of the information you've shared on soy wax candles. Now my home can smell lovely without any nasties :-) Those candles look really nice, and I love that you can re-use the jars as many times as you like.

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  11. i second that for a giveaway!! in fact, i demand one!

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  12. I love the little jars and yes, it does look so easy......may have to try those myself at some stage (put that on the back of the "to do" list). Regards, Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  13. What a great idea! I think I may be following in your footsteps!

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  14. I love this idea! Can you tell me which size are your big and small mason jars? And lastly do you know if the soy candles hold the smell of essential oils well? Thank you Ashli!

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    1. The big mason jars are just under 16oz and the small ones are around 6 I believe!
      Hope They're old jars so they don't have the measurements on the side! But It's about that!
      Lots of Love
      Ashli

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  15. awesome, affordable, easy, and inimitably so mini you! do you think we could add a tiny drop of food color to make them subtly... well, colorful?

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    1. If it was me I would probably use candle coloring you can buy it from Michaels for not very much. I'm not sure if food coloring would work??? But you could always try with a small batch and see how it turns out!! :)
      Let me know if it does!
      Lots of Love
      Ashli

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    2. food coloring does NOT work - it is mostly water based and doesn't mix well with the wax. You'll get a mottled effect, which could look cool, but it could also create a fire hazard (the candle flame will POP when it comes in contact with the water pockets)

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    3. i guess i should add that there are coloring blocks made specifically to add color to candles
      http://www.candlesandsupplies.net/Candle-Making/Color-Blocks

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  16. Which brand of wicks did you choose from Amazon?

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    1. I bought 5" cotton wicks with the metal base already attached from Candlewic on Amazon!
      Hope that helps!
      Ashli

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  17. Love this. So need to take some time to do some homesteading of my own (smile).

    Bernadette

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  18. Love this idea! We LOVE candles around here, but purchasing the soy versions can get pricey.

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  19. I LOVE this idea! This just made my day, I am going to do this as soon as my bath and body works one are finished (so I can use those jars). Can you please do a follow up later, like how many drops you put in to get enough scent, whether or not it burns a hole (or evenly)..I hate a hole! And you can also talk about how long burning one of these lasts...thank you so much, I really, really appreciate it! I am sure others will want to know these things as well...thank you!

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  20. a SUPER easy way to make soy candles without the double boiler is to use the oven! After step one, skip directly to step 5 and put in your wicks, then fill the glass jar with soy flakes and pop them in the oven (at the lowest heat ~140 degrees) for about 20 minutes.

    When i was making candles, a lot of directions called to heat up the glass jars in order to avoid cracking when you pour the hot wax. Heating up the wax in the jars is a great way to avoid cracking and wax mess!

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  21. How did you heat the glass jars before pouring the wax?

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    Replies
    1. I Didn't heat them at all! Mason jars are pretty sturdy!
      Hope that helps
      Ashli

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  22. I'm always worried about mixing things and making them explode. (Haven't done that yet so I don't know why the fear) Anyway. Is it okay to burn essential oils? Just making sure they aren't flamable. Also, there used to be a really great candle store in my town (parafin unfortunately), but they had amazing candles that actually put of a scent while you burn them, unlike some of the cheaper ones. They said that they soaked the wick in oil instead of mixing it in the wax. Do you think that would work for this project?? Also, on the double boiler, would a glass pyrex work? Can't wait to get my wax in so I can start making them!!

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    1. I think soaking the wick in essential oil would be a great idea! For scenting the candles I just add a few drops of oil as it burns! Just a couple drops in the melted wax does a great job!
      A glass pyrex would work really well.
      And as far as I know it's okay to burn essential oils but if you want to be super certain I would purchase them from a candle store, or from the Candle section of Michaels! Those ones are made for scenting candles!!!
      Lots of Love
      Ashli
      p.s. Let me know how it goes!! :)

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  23. what an awesome idea!! any suggestions (aside from garage sale, since I haven't seen any lately) on where to find mason jars? I think this is such a great Christmas idea!

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    1. Most Thrift stores have mason jars, if you're looking for VERY old ones with glass tops like ours you might have some luck at a Antique Store.
      If you're looking to buy new ones any grocery store should have them this time of the year!
      Hope that helps!
      Ashli
      p.s. Also check EBAY for the glass top ones!! :)

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  24. oh one other question :) I see a cute photo at the bottom of this page, looks like an organization corner, there is a vase with pink flowers and a file folder - is there a link to the post about this?

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    1. Here's the link about the paper organization:
      http://www.maillardvillemanor.com/2012/06/reader-request-paperwork-organization.html

      And here's a link to the little office corner we made:
      http://www.maillardvillemanor.com/2012/04/new-office-art-i-heart-bc.html

      Thanks for asking!

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  25. Great idea! I probably spend around $15 for 1 candle, so I will definitely be making my own now. I thought it would be harder, but you made it look easy. I just came across your blog and it's great! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  26. Hi Ashli!! I wanted to order some of the soy wax from Amazon.com but it's one of the many things that they don't ship to Canada and it's not available from Amazon.ca... just wondered how you ordered the wax? And if you've seen anything comparable elsewhere?
    Thanks, and I LOVE your blog!!
    Melissa

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    Replies
    1. Hi Melissa,
      We live very close to the Canadian/ American border so we always ship our Amazon product to a P.O. Box in the US and then once a month cross the border and pick up our orders.
      I know that michaels sells soy wax, but it's WAY more expensive than Amazon.com, but still a lot cheaper than buying soy wax candles at the store.
      Sorry I couldn't be more helpful!
      Lots of Love
      Ashli

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  27. You're lucky! I don't live near a border, I wish! I contacted the company and they will shop to Canada, so I might be in luck....although the shipping cost seems crazy, I have to look into it ;)
    You are very helpful!!
    Thanks!
    Melissa

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  28. I'm always looking for candles (and coming away empty handed cuz they are so darn expensive), and I have tons of mason and ball jars because I use them to decorate in my dining room :)

    I think I'll try this project next!

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  29. Great post and idea. very informative and interesting. i love the idea and candle. thanks for sharing with us.

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  30. You also could use glass wine bottles or some type of off the cuff bottle. Be brave you will need a glass cutter and they have them at michael's. I use to do this with parifin had to be careful because of the high temp of this type of wax. Just thought I would throw this ole idea out there. Happy soy candle making. Have a wonderful crafting year!!!! :). Lisa from Oklahoma

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