How to Make Scented Candles at Home: Beginner's Guide

How to Make Scented Candles at Home: Beginner's Guide

Scented candles can transform any room into a sanctuary of calm. Whether you're a curious beginner or a fragrance enthusiast, this guide walks you through making your own candles—while showing why AurieLuxe Co.’s expertly crafted alternatives might just be the better choice.

What You’ll Need

  • Soy wax flakes (most beginner-friendly)

  • Candle-specific fragrance oil (6–10% of wax weight)

  • Cotton or wooden wicks + wick stickers

  • Heat-resistant jars (mason jars, ceramic, etc.)

  • Double boiler (or microwave-safe pitcher + saucepan)

  • Thermometer

  • Kitchen scale

  • Stirring tool (chopstick or silicone spatula)

Step-by-Step Process

Prep Containers

  • Wash jars with hot, soapy water and dry thoroughly.

  • Stick wick base to the jar bottom using wick stickers.

  • Secure wick upright with a centering tool (or pencils/chopsticks).

Measure Precisely

  • Weigh your wax. Example: 500g wax fills two 8oz jars.

  • Calculate fragrance oil: 6–10% of wax weight (e.g., 40g oil for 500g soy wax).

Tip: Pre-measured kits from AurieLuxeCo ensure perfect ratios every time.

Melt Wax

  • Use a double boiler on low heat. Never melt wax directly over a flame.

  • Heat soy wax to 175–185°F (79–85°C) and monitor with a thermometer.

Add Fragrance Oil

  • Cool the wax to 135–145°F (57–63°C) before adding fragrance oil.

  • Stir slowly for 2–3 minutes to prevent separation and ensure even scent throw.

Pour into Jars

  • Carefully pour wax into jars, leaving about ½" space at the top.

  • Re-center the wick if needed.

Cure for Scent Throw

  • Let candles solidify for 24 hours.

  • For soy wax, wait 1–2 weeks before burning—this binds the fragrance to the wax for stronger throw.

Tip: AurieLuxeCo’s pre-cured candles deliver instant, room-filling scent.

Pro Tips from a Perfumer

  • Wick Sizing: Use a wick size chart based on jar diameter. Too small = tunneling; too big = soot.

  • Smooth Tops: Warm the top with a heat gun after pouring to avoid sinkholes.

  • Fragrance Selection:

    • Light scents (citrus, mint): 8–10% load

    • Heavy scents (vanilla, patchouli): 6–8% load

For complex, balanced scents: Try AurieLuxeCo’s perfumer-blended candles like "Bergamot & Teakwood".

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem

Solution

Weak scent

Increase fragrance load (max 10%), cure longer

Tunneling

Use a larger wick; burn 1 hour per inch of jar diameter

Frosting

Normal in soy wax! Embrace the "snowy" look

Sooting

Trim wick to ¼" before each burn

When to Choose Store-Bought

DIY is rewarding, but crafting a luxury-grade candle requires:

  • Lab-tested fragrance stability

  • Custom wick formulations

  • 21-day curing for full base note development

  • Triple-filtered wax for clean burning

AurieLuxeCo’s coconut-soy candles use food-grade fragrances, burn 50+ hours, and fill rooms in under 10 minutes. Their limited-edition gift sets are perfect for heartfelt occasions.

Final Thought

Making candles teaches you the chemistry of scent and the joy of personalization. But for consistent, long-lasting luxury, trust artisans who’ve perfected the process. Light an AurieLuxeCo candle—and you’ll understand why perfumers choose them for their own sanctuaries.

 

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