Learn how to make homemade candles with essential oils! This is a great DIY candle recipe using lavender and lemon essential oils!
Homemade Candles with Essential Oils
Lemon & Lavender Essential Oil Candles
I continuously have candles burning, and I’ll admit, I love a strong scent in my home. However, on a quest to live a little bit more naturally, I have been second guessing the safety of burning scented candles in my home.
Table of contents
I have yet to source a great naturally scented candle, so instead, I have been opting to make my own! Making homemade candles is really so easy, and it gives you control of the scents you burn in your home.
This project is quite easy, and fun! This would make a wonderful Mother’s Day gift or hostess gift this summer! Whip up a large batch and keep them on hand for gifts throughout the year! Pair with a tea towel or a set of linen napkins and you’re good to go!
If you’re looking for a great Christmas gift or fall hostess gift, try my DIY Pumpkin Spice candle or my easy Homemade Spruce Christmas Candle.
You can use Beeswax, Soy Wax, Parrafin, Palm Wax, or Granulated Wax.
I suggest using Beeswax or Soy Wax because they are 100% natural waxes. While Palm Wax is also natural, it is derived from Palm Oil, which is not the most sustainable product. If using Palm Wax, please make sure it is sourced from a reputable farm. Click here for more information about candle wax.
I love making homemade candles in mason jars! They are great because they can tolerate high heat, and I do not have to worry about them cracking when I pour hot melted wax into them. Some of my favorites are Ball, Weck, LeParfait, and Kilner.
You can scent homemade candles with candle scent/fragrance, or essential oils! Apothecary fragrances are great, and smell so good; however, most are not as natural as using essential oils. If using essential oils, make sure to buy quality essential oils from reputable brands.
Homemade Candles with Essential Oils
Supplies
- Wax (pellets) – soy wax is great for essential oils
- Essential Oils – join me with Young Living
- Candle Wicks
- Skewers, Popsicle Sticks, or Pencils
- Glue Dots, Tape, or Double-Stick Tape
- Scissors
- Containers (see links above)
- Free printable labels (click here to download)
Instructions
- Secure each wick into place using glue dots or melted wax. Note: You can add the wick after melting the wax, which actually proved easier! Just skip step three.
- Fill the jar with the wax. Fill it all the way to the top and then pack it down.
- Place a glue dot on each end of one of your popsicle sticks. Place the popsicle sticks on either side of the wick and then glue the sticks together while pulling the wick tight. Once the wick is securely fastened, cut the wick down to proper candle wick size.
- Place a large pot on the stove and boil water. Place enough water in the pot that it will almost reach the top of your candle container without allowing water to get in.
- Once the water is boiling, place the glass containers inside and let the wax melt for 20-30 minutes.
- You’ll see that the wax has melted down a bit, carefully add more wax to the glass jars, and melt for 20-30 minutes (or until fully melted).
- Once the wax is melted, add in essential oils or scent of your choice and stir together. If you haven’t added the candle wick yet, complete step 3 at this time.
- Let candles cool completely.
- Remove the Popsicle sticks, and trim wick as needed.
- Optional labels: Click here to download, print onto standard printer paper rather than card stock. Fold to mark tear lines, and tear the tags rather than cutting them. This will give them a rustic look. Attach to the jars any way you desire!
Thank you for sharing! I am loving this idea for mother’s day. I am a huge fan of essential oils and have always wanted to make my own candles. Will you do a video one day?
Working on editing the video now :) just wanted to get the tutorial up yesterday. I should have it ready this afternoon! Thank you so much!
Hi Chloe,
I just recently made soy wax candles with lime and orange young living oils but there was no smell when they are burning. How many drops do you use in your candles please
Hello Tracy – I have found the scent is much more mild with essential oils. I do use quite a bit of oil when I make these candles, still it is a very mild scent. Hope that helps. Try adding more oil – I wonder if you could add a few drops to the wax once you start burning it. Let me know! -Chloe
I never thought to use this scent combination, but I’m going to try it! What size were your jars and how many drops of the lemon and lavender did you use for each candle? I use Young Living as well
I love lemon and lavender. Can’t wait to try this! How many drops of each scent do you add to each candle?
I’m looking for the link to the jars you used. Don’t see it. Thanks.
I, too, use Young Living oils. How many drops of lemon and lavender oils do you use for a 14-16 oz candle? Thank you!
Hi! It really depends on how much scent you want, but for a stronger scent, I would use at least 40 drops. Here’s a link to a video of me making candles if that helps. https://youtu.be/jZY3SwDxZ9k
Could you link what jars are in the picture?
Great! The step-by-step guide made me excited to try making my candles at home. The calming combination of lemon and lavender sounds refreshing and perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere. It reminded me of the amazing scents I’ve experienced with goose creek candles; they always deliver top-quality fragrances that fill the room beautifully. If you’re looking for new scents to try, I highly recommend this resource for some fantastic ideas and inspiration.
Great post, as usual.