Scented candles stimulates our limbic system, which is the part of the brain that controls your memory and emotions. Hormones like serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine can be triggered and released and has a strong effect on your mood, stress, and overall mental health. Why would you make your own scented candles rather than just buy them? Often, a lot of commercially made candles will contain chemicals or other artificial ingredients. If you would like to buy custom made candles, check out Kevin Francis Designs; otherwise, here is a quick overview on how to make your own scented candles so that you can sit back in your best ladies loungewear (or men’s loungewear!) and relax.
Step 1: Gather Your Basic Materials
You need a few essential items to get started: wick rope, wick tabs, container/jar for your candle, metal mixing bowl and pot (to set up a double-boiler) unscented candle wax (soy burns longer than paraffin; and about 5lbs is a good amount for one large candle), and last but definitely not least—your scent of choice, typically in oil form.
Step 2: Assemble Wicks
This is pretty straightforward just by looking at the shape and design of the wick tabs. Make sure you cut off the correct length of wick for the size of the candle you are wanting to make.
Step 3: Melt Your Wax
Once you have your wicks in place, you can rest a pen or a short ruler over the top of your jar with the wick hanging over and then put your double-boiler on. You can have your wax already in the mixing bowl and set it over the pot once it’s warming up. Aim for around 180F and use any mixing spoon to help make sure it is all melted. Right at the end is when you want to mix your wax and scented oil of choice. You can also add a little natural color if you’d like.
Step 4: Pour Your Wax
Once everything is all mixed, and while the wax is still melted, you can pour it into whatever container you have chosen. Finally, just trim the wick if it is too long.
It really is simple, and you can come up with so many creative scents personal to you. Place them at work or at home. Some realtors, like the good folks over at Sanmiguelsothebysrealty.com will make sure the homes they are showing have plenty of candles set up so that people who come for a viewing will have those happy chemicals triggered by the brain.
