How to Make Your Own Stress Relief Candle with Natural Ingredients

By Beauty Adams
February 25, 2024

Stress is a common problem that many people face in their daily lives. Whether it’s due to work, family, or personal issues, stress can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. One way to cope with stress is to use aromatherapy, which is the practice of using natural scents to enhance your mood and wellbeing.

Aromatherapy can be done in various ways, such as using essential oils, diffusers, or candles. In this blog post, we will focus on how to make your own stress relief candle with natural ingredients, such as soy wax, cotton wicks, and essential oils. We will also share some tips on how to choose the best scents for your stress relief candle, and answer some frequently asked questions about this DIY project.

What You Need to Make a Stress Relief Candle

Making a stress relief candle is not as hard as you might think. You only need a few basic supplies and tools, which you can easily find online or in craft stores. Here is what you need to make a stress relief candle:

A glass jar or container. You can use any size or shape of jar, as long as it is heat-resistant and has a wide opening. You can also reuse old candle jars or mason jars for this project.
Soy wax flakes. Soy wax is a natural and eco-friendly type of wax that burns cleaner and longer than paraffin wax. It is also easy to work with and has a low melting point. You can find soy wax flakes online or in craft stores. You will need about 4 ounces of soy wax flakes for every 8 ounces of jar capacity.
A cotton wick. Cotton wicks are natural and biodegradable, and they produce less soot and smoke than other types of wicks. You can find cotton wicks online or in craft stores. You will need one wick for each jar, and it should be about 2 inches longer than the height of the jar.
A wick holder or a clothespin. A wick holder is a metal or plastic device that helps to keep the wick centered and straight in the jar. You can find wick holders online or in craft stores. Alternatively, you can use a clothespin to clip the wick to the rim of the jar.
A double boiler or a microwave-safe bowl. A double boiler is a set of two pots that fit together, with the bottom pot filled with water and the top pot holding the wax. You can use a double boiler to melt the wax over low heat on the stove. Alternatively, you can use a microwave-safe bowl to melt the wax in the microwave. You will need a bowl that can hold at least twice the amount of wax you are using.
A thermometer. A thermometer is a useful tool to measure the temperature of the wax, which is important for adding the essential oils at the right time. You can use a candy thermometer, a digital thermometer, or a infrared thermometer for this purpose. You can find thermometers online or in craft stores.
Essential oils. Essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants that have various aromatherapeutic properties. You can use essential oils to create different scents for your stress relief candle, depending on your preference and mood. You can find essential oils online or in health food stores. You will need about 10 to 15 drops of essential oils for every 4 ounces of wax.
A wooden spoon or a spatula. A wooden spoon or a spatula is a handy tool to stir the wax and the essential oils together. You can use any wooden spoon or spatula that you have in your kitchen, as long as it is clean and dry.
A kitchen scale. A kitchen scale is an optional but helpful tool to measure the amount of wax and essential oils you are using. You can use any kitchen scale that you have in your home, as long as it can measure in ounces or grams.

How to Make a Stress Relief Candle in 5 Easy Steps

Now that you have gathered all the supplies and tools you need, you are ready to make your stress relief candle. Here are the steps to follow:

Prepare the jar and the wick. Make sure the jar is clean and dry. Place a dot of hot glue on the bottom of the wick and stick it to the center of the jar. Use a wick holder or a clothespin to keep the wick upright and centered. Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the rim of the jar.
Melt the wax. Measure the amount of wax you need with a kitchen scale or by filling the jar twice with wax flakes. Place the wax in the top pot of the double boiler or in the microwave-safe bowl. Heat the wax over low heat on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until it is completely melted. Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the wax, which should be around 180°F (82°C).
Add the essential oils. Choose the essential oils you want to use for your stress relief candle, and measure the amount you need with a dropper or by counting the drops. You can use one or more essential oils to create your own custom blend, or follow one of our suggested recipes below. Add the essential oils to the melted wax and stir well with a wooden spoon or a spatula. The temperature of the wax should be around 160°F (71°C) when you add the essential oils, to ensure that they don’t evaporate or lose their potency.
Pour the wax into the jar. Carefully pour the wax into the jar, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top. Use a wooden spoon or a spatula to scrape the sides of the pot or the bowl and get all the wax out. Be careful not to spill or splash the wax, as it can be very hot and cause burns. If the wick moves or tilts, use the wick holder or the clothespin to adjust it and keep it centered.
Let the candle set and cool. Place the jar on a flat and heat-resistant surface, away from direct sunlight, drafts, or pets. Let the candle set and cool for at least 24 hours, until it is fully hardened and solid. Do not move or touch the candle during this time, as it can cause cracks or bubbles in the wax. After the candle is set, remove the wick holder or the clothespin and trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the wax.

How to Use and Care for Your Stress Relief Candle

Congratulations, you have made your own stress relief candle with natural ingredients! Here are some tips on how to use and care for your candle:

To use your candle, light the wick with a match or a lighter and enjoy the soothing scent and ambiance. You can burn your candle anytime you need some relaxation and calmness, such as in the morning, in the evening, or before bed. You can also use your candle during meditation, yoga, or reading, to enhance your experience and mood.
To care for your candle, make sure you burn it safely and properly. Always place your candle on a stable and heat-resistant surface, away from flammable objects, children, or pets. Never leave your candle unattended or burn it for more than 4 hours at a time. Keep the wick trimmed to about 1/4 inch before each use, to prevent the flame from getting too large or producing too much smoke. If the wax pool gets too deep or uneven, use a metal spoon to gently scoop out some of the excess wax and discard it.
To store your candle, keep it in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat, or moisture. You can also cover your candle with a lid or a cloth, to prevent dust or dirt from accumulating on the wax. You can store your candle for up to a year, but keep in mind that the scent may fade over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stress Relief Candles

Here are some common questions and answers about stress relief candles:

Q: What are the best essential oils for stress relief candles?
A: There are many essential oils that can help to relieve stress and promote relaxation, such as lavender, chamomile, rose, bergamot, ylang ylang, clary sage, frankincense, and sandalwood. You can use one or more of these oils to create your own stress relief candle scent, or follow one of our suggested recipes below.
Q: How much essential oil do I need to add to the wax?
A: The amount of essential oil you need to add to the wax depends on the size of your jar and the strength of your scent preference. A general rule of thumb is to use about 10 to 15 drops of essential oil for every 4 ounces of wax. You can adjust this amount according to your liking, but be careful not to use too much or too little. Too much essential oil can cause the candle to burn poorly or produce too much smoke, while too little essential oil can result in a weak or no scent.
Q: How long does a stress relief candle last?
A: The longevity of a stress relief candle depends on the size of your jar and how often you burn it. A typical 8-ounce jar candle can last for about 40 to 50 hours of burn time, while a 4-ounce jar candle can last for about 20 to 25 hours of burn time. To extend the life of your candle, make sure you burn it evenly and properly, and store it in a cool and dry place.
Q: Can I use other types of wax or wicks for my stress relief candle?
A: Yes, you can use other types of wax or wicks for your stress relief candle, as long as they are natural and suitable for candle making. For example, you can use beeswax, coconut wax, or palm wax instead of soy wax, and hemp wicks, wood wicks, or paper wicks instead of cotton wicks. However, keep in mind that different types of wax and wicks may have different melting points, burn rates, and scent throw, so you may need to adjust the amount of wax, wick, and essential oil accordingly.
Q: Can I add other ingredients to my stress relief candle, such as dried flowers, herbs, or crystals?
A: Yes, you can add other ingredients to your stress relief candle, as long as they are safe and compatible with the wax and the essential oils. For example, you can add dried flowers, herbs, or spices to enhance the appearance and the aroma of your candle, or crystals to amplify the energy and the intention of your candle. However, be careful not to add too much or too large of these ingredients, as they can clog the wick, cause the candle to burn unevenly, or create a fire hazard.
Q: How can I make my stress relief candle more personalized and unique?
A: There are many ways to make your stress relief candle more personalized and unique, such as choosing your favorite colors, shapes, and designs for your jar, label, and packaging, or adding your own messages, quotes, or affirmations to your candle. You can also experiment with different combinations of essential oils, or create your own signature scent for your stress relief candle. The possibilities are endless, and the only limit is your imagination and creativity.

Conclusion

Making your own stress relief candle with natural ingredients is a fun and easy DIY project that can help you cope with stress and improve your mood and wellbeing. You can customize your stress relief candle according to your preference and needs, and enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy anytime and anywhere. We hope you found this blog post helpful and informative, and we encourage you to try making your own stress relief candle today. Thank you for reading, and happy candle making!