How To Make Candles at Home: A Beginner’s Guide for 2026

Candle making is taking off as more people look for sustainable, handmade alternatives to mass-produced products. It’s a creative, practical skill that can be a relaxing hobby or a potential side hustle.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to make candles step by step, from choosing the right wax, wicks, and fragrances to pouring, setting, and finishing your first candle. Plus, you’ll get beginner-friendly tips for turning your creations into products you can gift, sell, or build into a small business.

Sustainable candle making

If you’re dipping your toes into candle making and want to do it in a planet-friendly way, good news: There are plenty of ways to create beautiful, sustainable candles that are as kind to the earth as they are to your nose.

Sustainable candle making matters more than ever. Many mass-produced candles contain ingredients that pollute indoor air and contribute to unnecessary waste. Choosing eco-friendly materials is a small but meaningful way to reduce your footprint.

For a zero-waste approach (and a one-of-a-kind vintage vibe), use repurposed containers such as old jars, teacups, or tins. You can even get creative with decorations, celebrating nature’s beauty with pressed flowers for a natural, artisanal touch. 

Important safety note: Use only fully dried flowers, and keep them on the outside of the container or embedded away from the flame. Never place dried flowers in the melt pool or near the wick, as they’re flammable and can be a fire risk.

Although there is little conclusive evidence on which fragrances are safest, many makers of natural candles prefer to scent their products with organic essential oils. Many believe essential oils offer mood-boosting aromatherapy benefits. However, be cautious if you or the person you’re making candles for has lung problems—even though they’re natural, essential oils may exacerbate some breathing conditions.

Ultimately, minimizing total fragrance load, avoiding certain fragrance chemicals (e.g., certain phthalates and high‑emitting volatile organic compounds, a.k.a. VOCs), and ensuring good ventilation are just as important to sustainable, healthy candles as a simple “synthetic vs. natural” label.

Harlem Candle Co. built a luxury candle brand using natural waxes and fragrances inspired by Black culture, travel, and history. Rather than competing on price, the brand leads with storytelling, proving that sustainable candles can also be premium, meaningful, and commercially successful.

Essential candle-making supplies for beginners

Before you start selling your creations online, here’s an overview of the supplies you’ll need to craft homemade container candles. 

Candle wax is typically available as shavings, flakes, or blocks. You can buy it in bulk from craft stores or online suppliers. But not all waxes are created equal, especially when it comes to sustainability. Consider the wax options below. Formulations vary across suppliers, so you may experience differences in melting and pouring temperatures and scent throw.

Paraffin wax

• Melt point: 46°C to 68°C (115°F to 155°F)
• Pouring temp: 60°C to 70°C (140°F to 158°F)
• Scent throw: Excellent (hot and cold)
• Sustainability rating: Not eco-friendly

Paraffin is the most commonly used commercial candle wax, mostly because it’s relatively cheap and holds scent and color well. But from a sustainability perspective, it’s not an ideal choice: Paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product, and it releases potentially harmful chemicals when burned.

Soy wax

• Melt point: 49°C to 82°C (120°F to 180°F), depending on the blend
• Pouring temp: 50°C to 60°C (122°F to 140°F)
• Scent throw: Good, but slightly milder than paraffin
• Sustainability rating: Good to excellent, depending on agricultural practices

Soy wax, made from hydrogenated soybean oil, is one of the most popular eco-friendly wax options for DIY candle makers. It’s biodegradable and renewable, and it produces very little soot when burned. It also has a slower burn time, so your candles last longer.

Beeswax

• Melt point: 62°C to 65°C (143°F to 149°F)
• Pouring temp: 70°C to 85°C (158°F to 185°F)
• Scent throw: Mild, with a naturally sweet honey scent
• Sustainability rating: Excellent

Beeswax is another top-tier choice for natural candle ingredients. It’s harvested from honeycomb, making it a natural by-product of beekeeping. Beeswax is harder than soy wax, making it ideal for pillar candles and taper candles. Just be aware that it requires a higher pouring temperature and may shrink a bit as it cools.

Wicks

Candle wicks are usually made of paper, cotton, zinc, or wood. If you opt for wooden wicks, they can add an atmospheric crackling sound effect to your candles once lit.

Thin wicks suit most candles but may extinguish easily in larger candles. Thick wicks, with their larger flames, melt wax faster and are better suited for larger candles.

Common wick types for candle making include:

• Flat-braided cotton
• Square-­braided cotton
• Cored

Choosing the right wick size

Wick size depends on your container width, wax type, and fragrance load.

Start by measuring the inside diameter of your container, then use your supplier’s wick chart as a baseline. Small jars need thinner wicks, while wider containers need thicker or multiple wicks.

Next, factor in your wax. Soy and coconut waxes usually require slightly larger wicks, while beeswax burns more slowly and requires a stronger wick. Adding fragrance or dye can also affect burn, often requiring a size up.

Finally, test your candle. Burn it for two to four hours, and look for a full melt pool, a steady flame, and minimal soot. If it tunnels, the wick is too small. If it smokes or flickers, it’s too large. 

Molds

If you’re not using a container for your candle, molds help shape it to stand on its own. You can find affordable, reusable molds on platforms like Amazon.

Skewer

A skewer keeps the wick upright while the surrounding wax solidifies. You can substitute this with tape or adhesive putty if you’re on a budget.

Dye

Use candle-specific dye to color your homemade candles. Using non-candle dyes may alter your wax composition and affect solidification.

Fragrance oils and essential oils

Scented candles get their aroma from essential oils or fragrance oils added to the melted wax during production.

• Essential oils are natural and smell beautiful, but they can be volatile when heated and often yield subtler fragrance than synthetic oils or blends. 
• Fragrance oils (often synthetic or blended with essential oils) tend to produce stronger, longer-lasting scents and are easier to work with; like essential oils, they may also produce VOCs. 

Double boiler

Double boilers evenly distribute stovetop heat for controlled warming—ideal for melting wax. You can use a store-bought double boiler or create one by placing a metal bowl atop a pot of water.

Thermometer

Use a candy thermometer, digital infrared thermometer, or deep-fry thermometer to monitor wax temperature.

Spatula

Stirring the wax with a heat-resistant spatula helps ensure even melting during candle-making.

Candle containers

Mason jars, glass containers, or even tin cans make excellent candle vessels. Remember, larger containers yield bigger candles with longer burn times.

Eco-friendly alternatives

If you want to keep your candle making kind to the planet, there are plenty of sustainable swaps to consider. Choose soy or beeswax over paraffin, research your scents carefully, and use sturdy recycled or reusable containers, such as old jars or tins.

Essential safety tips for candle making

Candle making is a creative hobby, but safety is paramount for a pleasant and hazard-free experience.

Here are key safety tips to keep in mind when making and enjoying candles:

• Keep your workspace clean and clear. Ensure your work area is free of flammable materials, such as paper, fabric, or clutter.
• Properly ventilate your working space. Work in a well-ventilated area to disperse fumes from wax and fragrances.
• Wear appropriate clothing. Dress in long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes to protect your skin from hot wax splashes.
• Use safety gear. Consider wearing safety goggles to protect your eyes from hot wax splatter.
• Use a double boiler. Melt the wax in a double boiler to prevent overheating. Never melt wax directly on an open flame.
• Choose the right containers. Use heat-resistant containers designed specifically for candle making; repurposed glass jars and tins can be safe if they are thick, heat‑resistant, and stable. Don’t use containers that can crack or shatter when hot.
• Choose appropriate wicks. Make sure wicks are suitable for the type and size of candle you’re making.
• Don’t leave melting wax unattended. Always stay in the room while melting wax or pouring candles.
• Trim wicks before burning. Before lighting any candles, trim the wicks to about one-quarter inch to prevent high flames and soot buildup.
• Limit burn time. Don’t burn candles for more than four hours at a time. Let them cool for at least two hours before relighting.
• Burn candles in a safe area. Place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from drafts, flammable materials, and out of reach of children and pets.

How to make candles at home in 10 steps

• Prep containers and supplies
• Measure the wax
• Melt the wax mixture
• Add your fragrances
• Place the wick
• Stabilize the wick
• Pour the wax
• Clean up
• Wait for the candle to cure
• Light your candle

Creating candles at home is relatively simple. With a few specialized items, some planning, and a little time, you can craft beautiful, fragrant candles. Follow this step-by-step guide to start your candle-making journey.

1. Prep containers and supplies

Choose your candle containers: votive holders, candle jars from craft stores or candle-making wholesalers, empty Mason jars, or sturdy tin cans all work. Pick a vessel you like, as most poured candles can’t be transferred once they’ve set.

Make sure each container is clean, dry, and heat-safe, then place them on a flat, protected surface. Before pouring, attach the wick securely to the centre of the container using a wick sticker, hot glue dot, or a small dab of melted wax. Press it firmly in place so it won’t shift while pouring.

Pull the wick taut and keep it upright by securing it at the top with a wick holder, Popsicle stick, or chopsticks laid across the container. Keep your wicks, fragrance oils, and tools within easy reach so everything is ready when your wax is melted.

2. Measure the wax

Use your candle containers as measuring tools. Fill them with wax flakes or shavings, remembering that melted wax takes up less space. A good starting estimate is to use about two containers’ worth of flakes per candle.

3. Melt the wax mixture

Pour your measured wax into your double boiler and warm it slowly until completely melted. Stir carefully with a spatula, catching any bits that rise up the pot’s edges.

Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature, following the melting range supplied by your wax producer.

4. Add your fragrances

The strength of the scent (also known as the scent throw) depends on the type of wax you use, the temperature at which you add the fragrance, and how much fragrance you add.

Most candle makers follow a general guideline of 6% to 10% fragrance oil to wax weight, depending on the wax type and the desired intensity.

Some waxes, especially premium soy blends or paraffin, can hold up to 10% (1.6 ounces [45 grams] per pound of wax).

Going over the maximum fragrance load can cause issues like sweating, poor burning, or uneven setting, so always check the recommended fragrance load for your specific wax.

Here’s how different waxes handle scent:

• Paraffin wax has the best scent throw. It has both cold throw (when the candle is unlit) and hot throw (when it’s burning). It can usually hold up to 10% fragrance oil, making it a popular choice for heavily scented candles.
• Soy wax has a decent scent throw, especially when you stick to the 6% to 10% range and pour the fragrance in at the right temperature (typically around 60°C to 65°C/140°F to 149°F). It may have a stronger cold throw than a hot throw unless blended and cured carefully.
• Beeswax, with its higher melting point and naturally strong scent, doesn’t hold added fragrances quite as well. It typically supports up to 6% fragrance oil, but many makers prefer to keep it subtle to let the natural honey aroma shine through.

5. Place the wick

Center one wick in each container and secure it firmly to the bottom using a wick sticker, hot glue dot, or small dab of melted wax. Press it down well so it stays in place during pouring. 

6. Stabilize the wick

Before pouring the wax, place two Popsicle sticks (or chopsticks or wooden skewers) across the jar’s top, sandwiching the wick between them. This keeps the wick upright as the wax hardens. 

7. Pour the wax

Carefully fill each container to just below the rim, pouring slowly to minimize air bubbles.

While the wax cools, keep an eye on the wick. If it shifts, gently reposition it while the wax is still warm but not fully set. If your candle cools unevenly or forms a sinkhole, try reheating the surface with a heat gun or a hairdryer on a low setting. This will help smooth out the top layer.

8. Clean up

Wipe up any wax drips with paper towels while they are still warm. For hardened wax spills, use hot water to clean surfaces.

9. Wait for the candle to cure

Curing times vary by wax type:

• Paraffin wax candles: Cure in about two days.
• Soy candles: Harden in about four hours; fully cure in three to four days.
• Beeswax candles: Take up to 10 days to cure completely.

Once dry, remove the wick holders and trim the wick. Consider investing in a wick trimmer for precise cutting. The ideal wick length is approximately a quarter of an inch above the set wax surface.

If you notice pockmarks or indentations from air bubbles, warm a little more wax and add a thin layer on top for a smooth finish.

10. Light your candle

Enjoy the fruits of your labor! Handmade candles make great gifts and online store items, and are a cost-effective way to achieve a beautifully lit, aromatherapy-infused atmosphere in your home.

Test your candle

Before gifting or selling your candle, it’s important to do a quick burn test to make sure it burns safely and evenly.

Let your candle cure fully (usually 24 to 48 hours, or longer for some waxes), then light it and allow it to burn for two to four hours. 

You’re looking for:

• A full melt pool that reaches the edges of the container
• A steady flame that isn’t smoking or flickering excessively
• Little to no soot on the jar
• A wick that curls slightly instead of mushrooming
  
  

If the candle tunnels, the wick is too small. If the flame is tall, smoky, or leaves soot, the wick is likely too large. Make adjustments and re-test until you get a clean, even burn.

Common candle-making difficulties

Candle making is part science, part craft. And, like any good DIY project, a few hiccups are totally normal. If your candles aren’t turning out quite how you imagined, don’t worry! Here are some common candle-making challenges and how to troubleshoot them:

Sinkholes

Ever noticed a little dip or hole around the wick after your candle cools? That’s a sinkhole, and it happens when the wax contracts as it sets. It’s particularly common with soy wax.

Fix it by pouring a little extra wax (called a “top-up pour”) to fill the gap once your candle has cooled. You can also try pouring your wax more slowly and gently tapping the container to help release air pockets.

Weak scent throw

Your candle looks gorgeous, but where’s the scent? A poor hot-throw (the scent when it’s burning) is often caused by using the wrong fragrance ratio, applying fragrance at the wrong temperature, or using a wax that doesn’t hold scent well.

Make sure you get the right ratio and add fragrance at the temperature recommended by your wax manufacturer so it binds properly. Some waxes (like soy) need a one- to two-week cure time to fully develop their scent, so a little patience helps, too.

Frosting on soy candles

That white, crystal-like coating on the surface of soy wax is totally normal. It’s called frosting, and it’s just part of soy’s natural charm.

While you can’t always prevent it, pouring at a lower temperature (around 50°C to 60°C) and cooling candles slowly at room temp can reduce it.

Tunneling

Tunneling happens when your candle only melts in the middle, leaving wax stuck to the sides. It’s usually caused by not burning the candle long enough on the first light.

Burn your candle for at least one hour per inch of diameter the first time around (e.g., three hours for a three-inch wide candle). That creates a full melt pool and helps your candle burn evenly every time.

Mushrooming wicks

If your wick develops a little mushroom-shaped ball on the tip, it’s likely too large or has a high carbon buildup.

Always trim your wick to about one-quarter inch before each burn, and make sure you’re using the right wick size for your container and wax.

Wax cracking or rough tops

Cracks or rough textures on top of your candle can happen if the wax cools too quickly or if there’s a sudden temperature change.

Try letting your candles cool slowly at room temperature. Avoid placing them near drafts or windows and, whatever you do, never pop them in the fridge to speed up cooling.

Candle-making ideas for 2026

Stuck on ideas for your candle project? Here are some creative options to inspire you:

• Layered candles. Still a favourite, but with a cleaner look. Think soft neutrals, tonal colour layers, and complementary scent blends (like citrus, herbs, or vanilla) rather than heavy contrasts.
• Pressed flower candles. Botanical candles remain popular, especially minimalist designs. Dried flowers work best on the outside of clear containers or embedded well away from the flame, sealed behind a layer of translucent wax.
• Marbled and stone-effect candles. Subtle marbling and terrazzo-inspired swirls are trending over high-contrast patterns. These work especially well in sculptural vessels and modern interiors.
• Seasonal candles (with a twist). Holiday candles still sell well, but scent-first themes are outperforming novelty shapes. Instead of obvious molds, pair seasonal fragrances with timeless containers that can be reused year-round.
• Crackling wood wick candles. Wood wicks remain popular for their cosy sound and premium feel. They’re especially effective when paired with warm, grounding scents like sandalwood, amber, or soft vanilla.
• Floating candles for events. Floating candles continue to be a go-to for weddings, dinner parties, and spa-style setups. Neutral colours and unscented or lightly scented options are most versatile.
• Eco-friendly, refillable candles. There is a strong interest in candles made with natural ingredients, especially when they come in refillable or reusable containers.

• Sculptural candles. Abstract, geometric, and hand-poured sculptural candles are being treated as décor pieces as much as functional items. Many buyers don’t even burn them, making finish and shape especially important.
• “Infinity” or oil candles. Oil-based “infinity candles” using household items have gone viral on social platforms. While visually appealing, they should be clearly labelled as decorative or carefully supervised, as “infinity” designs using household items may not meet the same safety standards as traditional container candles.

Hotel Lobby Candle built its brand around scent-based storytelling, creating candles inspired by places and feelings rather than seasons or shapes. It’s a great example of how modern candle brands win by focusing on experience, design, and emotional connection.

How to start a candle business

If you’ve fallen in love with candle making and want to turn it into a business, it’s totally doable, and there’s never been a better time to start. The global candle market size is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% between now and 2030.

The rising awareness around self-care and mental well-being has seen the candle market explode in recent years.

P.F. Candle Co. started as a small DIY candle project before growing into a globally recognised brand. Their story shows how mastering the basics, like wax choice, wicks, scent balance, and consistency, can turn a home craft into a scalable business.

But it’s also about finding something unique. “You have to figure out what’s not being fulfilled in the market,” says founder of P.F. Candle Co., Kristen Pumphrey. “For us, that was creating a unisex candle.”

Before you start your own candle business, here are a few key steps to get you going:

• Define your niche. Will you focus on eco-friendly candles, luxe aromatherapy blends, or quirky shapes and scents? Having a clear niche helps you stand out.
• Test and perfect your product. Nail your recipes, wick-to-wax ratios, and scent throw. Create a small batch to trial with friends or potential customers. Don’t forget to take product photos for your online store.
• Figure out pricing. Factor in material costs, time, packaging, and profit margin. The guide below has a helpful formula to get it right.
• Establish your brand. Think about your business name, logo, product labels, and the vibe you want to create. Also, consider social media marketing to get the word out about your candles.
• Choose where to sell. You can start with an online store, local markets, or a platform like Etsy. The guide below walks you through setting up a Shopify store step by step.

You can also source products from other brands to sell alongside your handmade candles, helping you test different market segments and expand your product range without additional inventory investment.

👉 Check out the full guide on how to start a candle business