How to make soy candles

level:

Beginner

time:

30 minutes

result:

2 candles

A soy candle with candle making supplies.

Get creative with DIY soy candles

Ready to make your first soy wax candles? We got you!

In this beginner-friendly tutorial, you'll learn exactly how to make your own soy candles. We'll walk you through the whole process for making soy candles in this step-by-step guide, including adding color with dye and scent with fragrance oils. You'll come away with foundational candle making skills—plus two beautiful, handmade soy container candles.

We use natural soy wax for this project because it's:

an easy way to get started in candle making.
great for those trying their hand at making candles for the first time.
a good option for candle makers of all skill levels.

We enjoy this type of wax because it offers a long burn time and cleans up easily with hot water and soap, or rubbing alcohol.

See the list to the right for all of the supplies needed for this project. You can also use this tutorial with one of our candle making kits!

Each kit provides the exact amount of wax and other supplies needed to make six to 12 candles in tins. No worrying about what to do with extra wicks or other materials! And all candle making kits ship free!

Can I use essential oils to make these candles?

Yes! In addition to fragrance oils, you can also use candle-approved essential oils for these homemade soy candles. Check the recommended usage percentage on each essential oil product page and start with low percentages. Natural candles are possible by pairing plant-based waxes (like soy wax or beeswax) with essential oils. Learn all about crafting essential oil candles with How to Make Soy Candles with Essential Oils.

Making scented candles at home will require a couple of items that you likely already have around your house:

A heat source to create a double boiler (using a heat-proof container placed in a pot of simmering water)
Stirring spatula
Paper towels
Isopropyl alcohol
Scissors

Step by step directions:

When making homemade candles, you'll need access to a flat surface like a counter or tabletop. It's important this space can be used for several hours while the candles set and cool.

Once you have your work space ready, gather your materials. It's time to get started!

Step 1: Melt the soy wax flakes

Pour your 1 lb (16 oz or 454 g) bag of Golden Brands 464 soy wax flakes into the pouring pitcher. Heat the wax with a double boiler or hot plate.

Pouring soy wax flakes into a pouring pitcher.

Melting soy wax flakes in a double boiler.

Step 2: Prepare candle jars

While your wax melts, wipe out your Straight Sided Tumbler Jars with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and a clean paper towel. This step ensures each candle container is ready for wicking.

Cleaning out straight sided tumbler jar.

Using a wick sticker, center one CD 18 cotton wick in each jar.

Putting a wick sticker on a tabbed wick.

Placing a wick into a straight sided tumbler.

Step 3: Add candle dye block and fragrance oil to melted wax

Once your wax is fully melted, add half of a Caribbean Blue dye block to the wax and stir.

Note: The block should snap in half, but the next easiest way to cut it is to use a knife and cutting board.

Adding half of a dye block to melted wax.

Stir the dye block into the wax.

Once the dye is fully mixed in, check the wax temperature with a thermometer. When the wax has reached 185°F (85°C), it's time to add fragrance oil. Pour in the 1 oz (28 g) bottle of High Tide fragrance oil, approximately a 7% fragrance load. Stir gently for 2 minutes to ensure that the oil is fully incorporated with the wax.

Stirring fragrance oil into melted soy wax.

Pro Tip!

Check out these FAQs about calculating the amount of fragrance oil you need and how much fragrance oil to use.

Step 4: Pour wax into the prepared candle jar

When the wax cools to 135°F (57.2°C), carefully pour the wax into the jars. Secure the wick with a wick bar.

Let the wax cool completely and allow your candles to fully harden at room temperature.

Step 5: Trim the candle wick & enjoy!

Once your candles have cooled completely, remove the wick bars and trim the wicks to 1/4 in. (6 mm). Place a warning label on the bottom of each candle.

You just made two soy candles! Our candles feature the Caribbean Blue Dye Block and High Tide fragrance oil, but you can have fun customizing the scent and color pairings for your own candles – the options are soytainly endless!

This is a fun and simple DIY project that makes wonderful gifts. With a little time and effort, making candles could become a gratifying hobby for years to come, or even a home business.

Did you make it?

Show off your first soy candles and all your handmade creations, with the CandleScience community by tagging us @CandleScience and using the #CandleScientist hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We may feature you in our Stories or on our website!