How to Make Soy Candles with Essential Oils DIY

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How to Make Soy Candles with Essential Oils DIY

Learn how to make soy wax candles in a thrifted mug using essential oils.

This was my first time making candles and it's super easy!

This easy DIY craft makes the perfect handmade holiday gift, house warming gift, birthday, wedding, Mother's day, Christmas gift or just a lovely homemade gift for any occasion.

Find a big mug you love and let's get started making candles!

Homemade soy candles are easy to make--and they make wonderful gifts!

Making candles using a thrifted mug does use a lot of melted soy wax, but the candle will burn warm and cozy all Winter long.

Essential oil candles are the easiest way for first time DIY candles, and can be made in old mason jars, glass container or other heat-proof jar options.

Homemade soy candles are easy to make--and they make wonderful gifts! Making candles using a thrifted mug does use a lot of melted soy wax, but the candle will burn warm and cozy all Winter long. Essential oil candles are the easiest way for first time DIY candles, and can be made in old mason jars, glass container or other heat-proof jar options.

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR DIY CANDLES:

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SOY WAX PELLETS (you can use paraffin wax, but it creates more soot)
THRIFTED MUG
WOOD WICK (or waxed candle wick)
WAX MELTING POT (could also use a double boiler or large pot)
STIRRING STICKS
ESSENTIAL OILS or FRAGRANCE OILS (Coffee candles fragrance is great for mug candles!)

All supplies can be found at the local craft stores too, there's typically a full candle making section!

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR DIY CANDLES: affiliate links SOY WAX PELLETS (you can use paraffin wax, but it creates more soot) THRIFTED MUG WOOD WICK (or waxed candle wick) WAX MELTING POT (could also use a double boiler or large pot) STIRRING STICKS ESSENTIAL OILS or FRAGRANCE OILS (Coffee candles fragrance is great for mug candles!) All supplies can be found at the local craft stores too, there's typically a full candle making section!

STEP 1: MELT WAX PELLETS

Add a few cups of soy wax flakes or pellets to the melting pot and get them warming up.

Let's chat about this melting pot, it's super nice, temperature controlled so the wax won't scorch and the non stick surface makes it easy to clean off with a paper towel.

I used about 20 ounces of natural soy wax pellets for this oversize mug candle.

The melting pot is a pouring pitcher as well, which makes the melt wax, fill jars process a breeze.

STEP 1: MELT WAX PELLETS Add a few cups of soy wax flakes or pellets to the melting pot and get them warming up. Let's chat about this melting pot, it's super nice, temperature controlled so the wax won't scorch and the non stick surface makes it easy to clean off with a paper towel. I used about 20 ounces of natural soy wax pellets for this oversize mug candle. The melting pot is a pouring pitcher as well, which makes the melt wax, fill jars process a breeze.

STEP 2: WOOD WICK PLACEMENT

Now that the wax is melting on low heat, you can prepare the candle containers, in this case a Rae Dunn Relax mug I found thrifting.

Find a mug or two that's had enough coffee and give it the chance to become coffee mug candles, used as great gifts or cozy atmosphere.

STEP 2: WOOD WICK PLACEMENT Now that the wax is melting on low heat, you can prepare the candle containers, in this case a Rae Dunn Relax mug I found thrifting. Find a mug or two that's had enough coffee and give it the chance to become coffee mug candles, used as great gifts or cozy atmosphere.

Take the wood wick bar and insert it into one of the wick holders clip at the bottom of the wick.

Then apply one of the little stickers (wick stickers) to the base of the wick clip and press it down onto the bottom of the jar, right in the center of the mug or the glass jars.

Be sure to insert the wick at the right angle, so it matches with the front of the mug for maximum adorableness.

STEP 3: FRAGRANCE

After the pound of wax has melted completely (soy wax melts quickly) in the warming pot, it's time to add the drops of essential oil or candle fragrance.

There's a threshold that you must not pass when adding essential oils, or the candle wax will not set up properly, don't go over 10% of the weight. (example, 20 ounces of wax, don't add more than 2 ounces of oil).

Ideally you want to add 6-8% of the weight of the wax in fragrance.

STEP 3: FRAGRANCE After the pound of wax has melted completely (soy wax melts quickly) in the warming pot, it's time to add the drops of essential oil or candle fragrance. There's a threshold that you must not pass when adding essential oils, or the candle wax will not set up properly, don't go over 10% of the weight. (example, 20 ounces of wax, don't add more than 2 ounces of oil). Ideally you want to add 6-8% of the weight of the wax in fragrance.

I did not measure and weigh everything out, I just added about 15 drops of natural essential oils, not much fragrance oil, to the post and stirred it with a popsicle stick.

I have really bad allergies to smells, so the subtle fragrance from the essential oils is perfect for me, not overbearing.

STEP 4: WAX POURING

Now the wax is ready to pour into the mug to make the perfect handmade candles.

If you have the melting pot, you can pour the wax gently right into the mug.

I used a scoop to begin with because I was tracking how much wax I needed, which ended up being the entire melting pot anyway.

Pour the wax in slowly and gently so you don't create excess air bubbles.

Pour wax right into the center of the old mug, don't worry about the wick, it's made to thrive in this hot wax environment.

Fill the candle up nearly to the top of the jar, a little higher than hot water for your coffee or hot chocolate...but not all the way to the brim where the surface tension is barely holding it together.

If you are making candles with a lid, the wax line needs to be much lower, so the lid can fit back on without crushing the candle wicks.

Any leftover wax can be left in the melting pot and easily removed when the wax has cooled and set up again.

This melting pot is the ONLY WAY to make natural soy candles, it makes it so easy.

For best results, let the new candle sit on a level surface for a week to let the wax cool and resolidify, before burning or gifting it.

STEP 5: TRIM AND ENJOY!

Be sure to trim wick to about 1/4" above the wax line before you light candles for clean burning without dropping char into your wax.

Making your own candles is really fun, therapeutic and relaxing, burning the candles afterwards is equally as fun.

Make coffee mug candles for yourself or for gifting to others!

The melted wax is fun to work with, the coffee cup candles are the cutest candles, and it's great to make your own candles!

STEP 5: TRIM AND ENJOY! Be sure to trim wick to about 1/4" above the wax line before you light candles for clean burning without dropping char into your wax. Making your own candles is really fun, therapeutic and relaxing, burning the candles afterwards is equally as fun. Make coffee mug candles for yourself or for gifting to others! The melted wax is fun to work with, the coffee cup candles are the cutest candles, and it's great to make your own candles!

That's it!

Homemade candles, especially mug candles, are easy to make and make the perfect gifts.

I'm not an expert candle maker, but this craft is very beginner friendly and would be a fun girls craft night or teenage party favor craft.

Natural candles made from soy wax and an old mug is the next thing you need to try!

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Homemade candles, especially mug candles, are easy to make and make the perfect gifts. I'm not an expert candle maker, but this craft is very beginner friendly and would be a fun girls craft night or teenage party favor craft. Natural candles made from soy wax and an old mug is the next thing you need to try!

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