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Save Money and Wax! Make Candles at Home

Fall is here, and scented candles are back on the mantle–unless you’re like me and burn them year-round. While they’re beautiful and fragrant, many candles run upwards of $25. Don’t feel like dropping the price of a nice dinner on decor? Why not try making candles at home?

homemade candle brightening up a living room
Candles have a special place in every home–whether it’s for light or a lovely fragrance.

It’s a relatively easy process that has been around for centuries. Chandlers were respected members of the community, providing cheap light for homes. If you wanted to continue working after the sun went down, you needed a candle. While we have lightbulbs now, candle making could still be the start of a good business.

So, we can continue this tradition and honor it this fall. Besides the cost drop, you’ll find this practice offers:

  • Less waste
  • Easy production
  • Customizable artwork
  • Home-craft time with friends and family
  • Excellent gifts
  • Bragging rights. You made them!

So, like any good recipe, the first thing you need is the materials. You can follow along with me as I start the project.

Ingredients to Make Candles

Wax

The largest portion of your ingredient list is the wax. There are three major wax types to choose from depending on your preference: beeswax, soy, or paraffin. By far the most popular is paraffin wax. It holds the top spot because it’s inexpensive and easily customizable. However, you may wish to use soy wax or beeswax because they are more natural. Paraffin comes as a petroleum product, and is, unfortunately, a little toxic.  You should be safe unless you plan on eating the candle.

My choice for this project is beeswax. It comes in a pellet form so I can measure it easily, and the product will give my candles a desired look. Paraffin leaves them too perfect, whereas the beeswax will give them a soft, creamy feel.

Wicks

While not as large a portion, the wick is still an essential part of the candle. Take time to choose a good one for your candle’s diameter. A good rule is to choose a wick that will be a little taller than your candle so that you can trim it down. Some places sell wicks already attached to a base.

person lighting a candle they made
Each part of the candle affects the overall burn. But don’t stress! The differences are minor.

Personally, I’m refilling glass pillar candles. So, my wicks need to be at least a foot in height. Also, these come with bases, so I don’t need to spend the extra money buying this with a base. Purchasing a wick spool would not only be cheaper, but also better for custom wick heights. 

Extras

These are the fun additives that make a candle much more than just a light source. Most candle supply sites know their audience, so they come stocked with fragrance oils and dyes specifically for wax. If you don’t see any you like, try searching online for wax-safe additives. 

I chose lavender essential oil, but no coloring for my candles. I like having neutral colors for decor in my home.

Without further ado, the actual candle making process:

Recipe to Make Candles

candle burning with wax falling down the sides
Once mastered, making candles at home can be a breeze! Is there any favorite scent you can’t wait to try?

Clean area/ Set up container

You can set newspaper down, just like any craft project. For the wax, prepare a double boiler to melt it in, placing a lot of water in the bottom part. A pound of wax is a good amount for two small mason jars. Tip: Wax is easier to clean if you freeze it. Place materials in the freezer afterward and let it harden, then just chip off.

Melt Wax

Place your wax in the pot and melt. Use a spatula to break up chunks for a smooth consistency, kind of like melting butter.

Prepare Wick

If you haven’t already, measure your wick to your container and cut it to size. Make sure to leave extra. You’ll want to adhere it to the container’s bottom.  Tip: Superglue works in a pinch, but adhering your wick to the container’s bottom can be done with candlewax. Just touch the wick’s bottom to the melted wax, then press it to the container.

Add Extras

For me, this is the time to add the lavender oil. A good rule is 1 oz. of additive per pound of wax. Be sure to stir it so it gets mixed well.

Cool and Pour

You don’t want the wax super hot when you pour it in, so let it cool just a bit. (About 130 degrees) Save some wax in the pot.

Secure Wick and Cool

You don’t want the wick to be uncentered. So, secure it by tying it to a pen and setting it on top of the container. This is easier if you’re making it in a jar. 

It’ll take a few hours for your candle to be cool and set. Often, a sinkhole appears around the wick, so that’s when you take the extra wax and fill it in. Make sure while you’re cleaning up to use paper towels or something similar. Do not put wax in your sink. You don’t want any wax lingering in your pipes or on the stove.

Afterward, you have your first, beautiful homemade candle! You can give it as a gift to make a new friend, or burn it yourself.

Why Is Monitoring Blood Pressure Important?

Hypertension, another name for high blood pressure, can lead to serious complications including heart disease, stroke, and death. One in 3 adults have hypertension, which is about 75 million Americans. Tracking your high blood pressure is important because the higher it is, the higher you are at risk of heart problems. High blood pressure puts more strain on your heart and your arteries. The arteries will become thicker and weaker over time, which in turn makes them more narrow. The more narrow an artery becomes, then the more likely it is to clog up which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, kidney issues, and even dementia.

Monitoring your blood pressure at home can lead to controlling and lowering your blood pressure.
Monitoring your blood pressure at home can lead to controlling and lowering your blood pressure. This will lower your risk of a heart attack and stroke.

The more strain and weaker your artery becomes, the more likely your artery will burst causing a heart attack. There are ways to lower your blood pressure, including physical activity, diet change, and the most important way is to monitor it every day. A research in Minnesota studied 450 people with hypertension, and half were given home blood pressure monitors. The other half got the usual care from their primary doctors. The group that got the home monitoring systems had more success in getting their blood pressure under control than the other group.

What To Do

Having an at-home blood pressure monitor is convenient and easy to use if done correctly. You need to be properly positioned when testing your blood pressure to get the best numbers. Make sure to be sitting with your upper arm, heart, and monitor at the same level. This will produce the most accurate levels. Record every time you take your blood pressure. Keeping track of your levels important so you can manage your blood pressure.

How Often To Check

After you have bought the right kind of blood pressure monitor for your home, make sure to test at the right times to get the best results. Check your blood pressure twice a day, once in the morning before any medication, and the other in the evening. Then you will drop to doing it 2-3 days a week. Take note of any symptoms you may experience such as dizziness during readings. After this, report to your doctor and ask your doctor how often you should continue to check your blood pressure at home.

When monitoring your blood pressure, be sure to record your numbers.
When monitoring your blood pressure, be sure to record your numbers. Then you can discuss it with your doctor.

You can buy an at-home blood pressure monitor at a pharmacy or online for anywhere from $50 to $100. Your insurance company may cover come of the cost, so find out if they do by calling and asking. Once you get an at home monitor, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist how to use it. If you are one of the millions of Americans that suffer from high blood pressure, then consider an at-home monitor. Studies have show that people who check their levels at home had better results of managing and lowering their blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, attacks, and strokes. An easy way to regulate it and lower it is by checking your blood pressure regularly at home.

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