Citrus Scented Candles
Make DIY Citrus Candles in just 35 minutes! Melt soy wax, add citrus essential oils, and pour into containers like mason jars or hollowed citrus peels with secured wicks. Cool, trim, and enjoy fragrant, eco-friendly candles.
Prep Time
35 Mins
Supplies
1 lb soy wax flakes (or beeswax for a more natural option) 2 to 3 small candles
Citrus essential oils (e.g., lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit)
Citrus peels (for decoration, optional)
Candle wicks (cotton or wooden wicks)
Candle containers (small mason jars, teacups, or citrus peels, depending on your preference)
Double boiler (or a heatproof bowl and saucepan)
Stirring utensil (like a wooden stick or spoon)
Thermometer (optional, but helpful)
Colorant (optional, for tinting the wax)
Hot glue gun (for securing the wick to the container)
Scissors (to trim the wick)
Directions/Steps
- Choose a container. You can use mason jars, teacups, small bowls, or even citrus peels as a fun, natural option.
- Use a hot glue gun to secure the base of your wick to the bottom center of the container. Make sure the wick is centered and standing straight. Let the glue cool and set for a few minutes.
- Place your wax flakes in the top of a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan with water). Heat the wax over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it's completely melted. Use a thermometer if you have one to check the temperature of the wax. Soy wax melts at around 120-180°F, but don’t let it exceed 200°F. If you want to add color to your candle, now is the time to add a wax dye or crayon shavings in your desired color. Stir until it’s fully incorporated.
- Once your wax is melted, remove it from the heat. Add your citrus essential oils (lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit) to the wax. Use about 1 ounce of essential oil per pound of wax and adjust based on your scent preference. For a more complex fragrance, you can blend citrus oils, like lemon and orange together, or even add a hint of lavender or mint.
- Stir the wax for about 2 to 3 minutes to ensure the essential oils are evenly distributed throughout the wax.
- Before pouring, let the wax cool to around 130°F. This will help prevent cracking as the wax hardens.
- Slowly pour the wax into your prepared container, leaving about ½ inch (1.3 cm) of space at the top. Make sure the wick stays centered as you pour. If you’re using citrus peels as containers, carefully pour the wax into each half, filling just below the peel's edge.
- To keep the wick from tilting while the wax cools, you can use a wick holder (a clothespin, a pencil, or a chopstick) to hold the wick in place across the top of the container. This will prevent the wick from shifting as the wax solidifies.
- Let your candle sit undisturbed for 3 to 4 hours or until it has completely solidified. If you notice any cracks or imperfections in the surface after the candle has cooled, you can reheat the remaining wax and pour a thin layer on top to smooth it out.
- Once the candle has cooled completely, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the surface of the wax.
Tips & Tricks
To make a citrus peel containers cut your citrus fruits in half. Use a spoon to scoop out the fruit, leaving the peel intact as the ""cup."" If you want to give your candles a more unique look, you can also press dried citrus slices (lemon, orange, or lime) against the inside of your container using a little bit of hot glue.
You can glue dried citrus slices (orange, lemon, or lime) or zest along the top of the candle for extra flair.