How Do I Make My Own Candles?

Everything You Need to Know

Always wanted to make your own candles but don’t know where to start? Then you have come to the right place! We’re Poth Hille, the suppliers of candle wax UK customers trust – and here is your beginner’s guide to making candles yourself. Everyone has to start somewhere, and shopping from the best candle wax manufacturers you can find is the perfect recipe for success.

Choosing the Right Wax

Every great candle starts with selecting the right wax. As leading candle wax suppliers, we have a wide range of waxes for our customers to take their pick from. Whether you are making pillar candles or ones housed in containers, we will have a wax that is suited to your needs. Just tell us what you are looking for, and we will be able to point you in the right direction.

The Candle Making Process

Once you have your wax, you’re all set! The following steps are great guidelines for you to follow as you make candles for the first time:

Melt Your Wax

Place a heatproof bowl in a pan and fill the pan so that the water reaches halfway up the side of the bowl. Then put your wax in the bowl and add as much stearic acid as is recommended for the amount of wax. Then, stir with a wooden stick and keep an eye on the water levels.

Prepare Your Wick

Meanwhile, cut a length of wick 2 cm longer than the height of your mould. Feed it into a wick container before crimping shut with pliers. Then dip the wick, including the wick holder, into the now-melted wax and place to one side to dry before sealing the hole in the base of the candle.

Fill Your Mould

You’re now ready to pour the wax into the candle mould! Fill it to the top, leaving some wax to top it up with later. You should then leave the wax well alone until a skin has formed – disturbing it before this can affect the moulding process.

Add the Wick

Once that skin has formed, add your wick so that the wick container sits at the centre bottom of the mould. If you don’t want your wick to move while the candle sets, you can make a hole in a wooden stick and put the top of the wick through this while it rests on top of the mould.

Refill

During the ‘setting up’ process, a well will form around the wick. Once your candle has had some time to settle a little, you should prick the surface near the wick with a cocktail stick. You can then use the leftover wax to level the hole.

Turn It Out

We know it’s hard to wait, but it’s a good idea to leave the candle so that it can cool fully. Then turn the candle upside down and give it a hard knock on a firm surface to remove it from the mould. If it is stuck, pop it in the fridge for an hour to loosen.