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How to Add Color and Scents When Making Candles

Written By

C

Contributor

Published: Feb 18, 2000

Updated: Nov 20, 2021

2 minute read

Things You Will Need

Stearine
Crayola Crayons 16-packs
Candle Dyes
Candle Molds
Candle Scents
Candle Wax
Candle Wicks
Aprons
Candy Thermometer
Double Boilers
Kitchen Utility Knives
Pot Holders
Scissors
Wooden Spoons
Fire Extinguishers
Pot holders

Melt the candle wax completely. (See Related eHows.)
Stir in about 4 tbs. of stearine (also called stearic acid) per pound of paraffin. Stearine helps make the wax harder and the candle easier to remove from the mold.
Add coloring. Candle dyes come in liquid, block or flake forms. Use a potato peeler or kitchen knife to cut pieces from dye blocks.

Stir the coloring into the melted wax.
Test the color by dripping a few drops of wax onto a white plate and sticking it in the freezer. After a couple of minutes the drops will be cool and you can see the true color your candle will be.
Prepare the mold and wick (see Related eHows).
Add scent by shaving off a few pieces from a scent block or adding 1/8 oz. of undiluted candle scent for every pound of wax.
Stir the wax to distribute the fragrance evenly.
You're now ready to pour the wax into the mold!

Tips

Adding color and scent is a personal preference. Experiment with different combinations.

Crayons will add interesting colors to a candle, but don't use them as the primary colorant. They tend to glob up around the wick, and the candle won't burn well.

It's best to use dyes made for coloring candles.

Avoid essential oils, which are generally not designed for the intense heating of candle wax. Scented lamp ring oils are an inexpensive way to go.

Warnings

Be sure that small children and pets are kept out of the candlemaking area.

Don't pour wax down your sink - it will cool there and plug up the pipes.

Wax is flammable at high temperatures and should never be left unattended.

Use a fire extinguisher or baking soda rather than water if you have a wax fire.

Be careful using fragrances with acrylic molds. The chemicals frequently ruin the molds.

C