What are Some Common Mistakes When Making Tea Light Candles
Tea light candles are small, round candles that come in metal or plastic cups. They are popular for creating a cozy and relaxing atmosphere in any room. They can also be used for aromatherapy, decoration, or as a source of heat for warming dishes or pots.
Making your own tea light candles at home can be easy, fun, and inexpensive. You can customize your tea light candles with your favorite scents, colors, and shapes. You can also use natural and eco-friendly ingredients, such as soy wax and essential oils.
However, making tea light candles can also be tricky and frustrating if you don’t follow some basic guidelines and avoid some common mistakes. In this blog post, we will share with you some of the most common mistakes when making tea light candles and how to fix them.
Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Type of Wax
The type of wax you use to make your tea light candles affects their quality, performance, and environmental impact. The most common types of wax are soy wax and paraffin wax.
Soy wax is made from soybean oil, which is a renewable and biodegradable resource. Soy wax burns cleaner and longer than paraffin wax, and does not produce soot or harmful chemicals. Soy wax also has a lower melting point, which means it can release more fragrance and create a softer glow.
Paraffin wax is made from petroleum, which is a non-renewable and non-biodegradable resource. Paraffin wax burns faster and hotter than soy wax, and can produce smoke, soot, and toxic fumes. Paraffin wax also has a higher melting point, which means it can hold more color and create a brighter flame.
The mistake: Using the wrong type of wax for your desired outcome. For example, using soy wax if you want a bright and colorful flame, or using paraffin wax if you want a natural and eco-friendly candle.
The fix: Choose the type of wax that suits your preference and availability. If you want a natural and eco-friendly candle, use soy wax. If you want a bright and colorful flame, use paraffin wax. You can also mix both types of wax to create a balanced candle.
Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Amount of Fragrance and Color
The fragrance and color of your tea light candles can enhance your mood, calm your nerves, or invigorate your senses. You can use essential oils, fragrance oils, or dried herbs and flowers to add scent to your tea light candles. You can also use candle dye, food coloring, crayons, or mica powder to add color to your tea light candles.
The mistake: Using too much or too little fragrance or color for your tea light candles. For example, using too much fragrance can overpower your senses or cause headaches, while using too little fragrance can make your candles smell faint or bland. Similarly, using too much color can make your candles look unnatural or stain your surfaces, while using too little color can make your candles look dull or pale.
The fix: Use the right amount of fragrance and color for your tea light candles. For fragrance, use about 10 drops of essential oil or 1 teaspoon of fragrance oil per ounce of wax. For color, use about 1 drop of candle dye or food coloring, a small piece of crayon, or a pinch of mica powder per ounce of wax. Adjust the amount according to your desired intensity.
Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Temperature for Melting and Pouring Wax
The temperature of your wax is crucial for making successful tea light candles. You need to melt your wax over low to medium heat in a double boiler or a makeshift one by placing a heat-safe bowl over a pot of boiling water. You also need to measure the temperature of your wax with a thermometer before adding your fragrance and color and before pouring it into your tea light cups.
The mistake: Using too high or too low temperature for melting and pouring wax. For example, using too high temperature can scorch your wax or cause it to boil over, while using too low temperature can cause your wax to solidify or form lumps. Similarly, adding your fragrance and color at the wrong temperature can affect their quality and performance. Pouring your wax at the wrong temperature can also cause problems such as cracking, shrinking, frosting, or tunneling.
The fix: Use the right temperature for melting and pouring wax. For soy wax, the ideal temperature is between 160°F to 180°F. For paraffin wax, the ideal temperature is between 170°F to 190°F. Add your fragrance and color when the wax reaches the upper end of this range. Pour your wax when it reaches the lower end of this range.
Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Size and Position of Wick
The wick is the heart of your tea light candle. It is the part that burns and creates the flame. You can use pre-waxed wicks with metal tabs, or you can make your own wicks by dipping cotton string in melted wax and letting it dry.
The mistake: Using the wrong size and position of wick for your tea light candles. For example, using a wick that is too thick or too thin can affect the size and shape of your flame. Using a wick that is too long or too short can affect the burning time and safety of your candle. Using a wick that is not centered or straight can affect the evenness and stability of your candle.
The fix: Use the right size and position of wick for your tea light candles. For tea light candles, use a wick that is about 1/8 inch in diameter and about 1 inch in length. Insert the wick in the center of your tea light cup and make sure the metal tab is touching the bottom of the cup. You can use a dab of glue or wax to secure the wick if needed. Adjust the position of your wick using a toothpick or a skewer if needed. Trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the wax surface before lighting your candle.
Mistake #5: Not Letting Your Tea Light Candles Cool Completely
The final step of making your own tea light candles is letting them cool completely before using them. This is important to ensure the proper setting and curing of your wax, fragrance, and color.
The mistake: Not letting your tea light candles cool completely before using them. For example, lighting your candles while they are still warm or soft can cause them to melt or deform. Not letting your candles cure for at least 24 hours can also affect their scent throw and burn quality.
The fix: Let your tea light candles cool completely before using them. Let them cool at room temperature for about 2 hours, then move them to a cool and dark place for at least 24 hours. This will allow your wax, fragrance, and color to fully bond and harden.
About Us
We are a tea light candle manufacturer from India that exports to the United States, the United Kingdom, and all over the world. We have been in the business for over 20 years and we pride ourselves on our high-quality products and excellent customer service. We offer a wide range of tea light candles in different types of wax, scents, colors, and burn times. We also offer custom-made tea light candles according to your specifications and preferences. If you are looking for the best tea light candles for your home, contact us today and we will be happy to assist you.