Making an Easy Lavender Aromatherapy Candle

Candles are easy to make, and combining lavender aromatherapy with subdued candlelight is a great recipe for relaxation. Whether you want to indulge in a candle for a lavender scented bath, romantic dinner for two, or as a mood enhancing tools to get the party started, being able to make lavender scented candles for pennies is a good trick to know.

First some cautions:

For safety, have a candy thermometer on hand. If wax gets too hot it can combust.

When working with wax, use a large pot into which you can place a smaller pot. This is commonly known as a double boiler, but there's no need to go for the expensive kitchen gadgets, you just want to be able to float one pot inside another.

Keep the kids and animals out of the kitchen for this one, at least until you get the hang of it. Wax is HOT and it sticks, so you'd better do this in a controlled environment with fewer chances for accidents.

Have plenty of paper towels or newspapers on hand for cleanup.

When selecting containers, particularly for jar candles, choose a sturdy vessel. You can finesse a candle into a fragile glass or jar, but then you have to worry later that it will get too hot and shatter. Err on the side of safety and pick a glass container that is going to hold up if things get hot.

Making Lavender Scented Candles

To make my lavender candles, I use four cups of soy wax to which I add ten drops of aromatherapy quality lavender essential oil. I often refrain from using any dye. I melt the wax in the microwave then add the fragrance and stir. I then pour the mixture into glass containers that I've tested beforehand with boiling water and preheated in a warm oven. I center wicks (the rigid variety with bases and zinc cores) in the containers and pour the wax into them carefully.

Once the candles have cooled completely, I heat a little reserved wax and pour it on top to fill in any depressions created by the cooling process. After the wax has hardened, I trim the wicks.

If this is your first attempt at candle making, please read about the basics in my articles: Candle Making Basics and Candle Making Tips and Tricks. Making your own aromatherapy candles can be satisfying and economical. It can also be dangerous, so understand what you're doing before you begin.