NATURAL CANDLE MAKING
Even if you have mastered the production of candles using paraffin, soy wax or any other raw material, we recommend that you read this information if you are going to produce with CandleLab Soy Wax for the first time.
MEASUREMENT AND PLANNING
The first step will be to measure the internal volume of your vessel and make a calculation accordingly. Remember, you should always calculate by weight in candle production, making a volumetric calculation may not give you accurate results. Determine the candle weight according to the size of the vessel you will use. Based on this, measure the soy wax of that weight using a scale and determine the amount of fragrance oil you want to use accordingly. Candlelab Soy Wax has an fragrance oil load capacity of up to 12%. At the same time, all Candlelab fragrances can be used up to 12%. However, adding more fragrance does not always guarantee that the candle will shave a stronger scent throw. Therefore, to find the ideal level, we recommend starting with 6% and gradually increasing it to try different experiments.
PREPARATION
After measuring your soy wax and fragrance oil, you need to prepare your vessel and the appropriate wick. Make sure that your vessel is suitable for filling and burning candles. Place your wick in your vessel by fixing it. We recommend using CandleLab Wick Stickers to fix the wick to the vessel. We also recommend using our stainless steel wick holders to keep the wicks centered and upright.
HEATING SOYWAX
Heat your measured soy wax using a double boiler.
Always check the temperature of your melted soy wax using a thermometer. It is recommended that the temperature be between 75°C and 85°C for ideal fragrance addition. Overheating soy wax can cause quality problems.
ADDING FRAGRANCE
You can add fragrance oils to your soy wax heated between 75°C and 85°C. However, if the flash point specified in the technical specifications of CandleLab fragrances is lower than this, add the essence when the soy wax temperature reaches the flash point temperature. The scent performance of a candle can vary from one fragrance to the other due to the temperature at which essences are added, and the best way to find out is to test different degrees. It is highly recommended to mix for at least 2 minutes after adding the fragrance.
POURING
When your formula is ready, you need to wait for it to cool down by constantly monitoring its temperature. Although the degree of pouring varies from fragrance to fragrance, we recommend pouring with CandleLab Soywax at 45°C or when there is visible turbidity in the formula. Heating the vessels before pouring will help the soy wax to stick to the mold better.
FIX THE TOPS
Allow your wax to rest for at least 24 hours after pouring is finished. It is important that the candle is kept at room temperature, especially in the first 24 hours, and not exposed to direct sunlight. At the end of 24 hours, you can shorten the wicks of the candle with the help of scissors. Candles produced using pure soy waxes may have a rougher surface than waxes mixed with ingredients such as paraffin. These roughnesses show that the raw material you use is natural and additive-free. Using a simple heat gun on low heat, melt the tops of your candles within 15-20 seconds and let them rest for at least 2 hours.
CURING
We recommend that you do not burn the candle for a minimum of 10 - 14 days and store it at room temperature without being exposed to direct sunlight, in order to increase the scent performance of candles with natural ingredients. As the curing time increases in natural candles, the fragrance performance will also increase.
TESTS
Remember, there is no "standard method" for producing natural and scented candles. Each scent, diameter, load, wick option can change how a natural candle burns and its fragrance performance. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you make many experiments with different fragrance loads and wicks until you are satisfied with the candle.
SAFETY
Do not risk your safety while producing candles. Do not leave your production area during production. Make sure you are using the correct equipments. Although CandleLab fragrances are IFRA certified, necessary precautions must be taken during production. In case of direct skin contact, if you experience an allergic reaction, wash with plenty of water and consult your doctor if necessary.