Making candles using silicone molds is one of the easiest and cheeseiest ideas. There are plenty of candle moulds available in several unique and interesting shapes which can make your candle look aesthetic, different and cute. Above all, gathering silicone moulds for making candles and other supplies is hassle-free as they are available on various ecommerce sites including Candle Supplies. So in this blog, you’ll discover a step-by-step detailed tutorial for crafting candles using silicone moulds.
Supplies
- Silicone Candle Moulds (of your choice)
- Soy Wax chips or any other candle wax
- Candle Color Dye (optional)
- Thread and wick needle
- Wick centering tool
- Mixing Container
- Wooden Stirring Sticks (for stirring wax)
- Paper Clip/Wire
- Scissors
- A saucepan and a container (or double boiler)
- Thermometer
- Fragrance oil for candles (optional)
- A tray
- Releasing Spray
- Heating source
- Seal for silicone mould
- Weighing Machine
Using Silicone Moulds For Making Candles
Firstly, lay down some papers on your work station before starting with the process of using silicone molds for making candles. This will save you from cleaning the mess afterward.
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Insert Candle Wick
To begin with, we’ll start by inserting wick thread into the silicone mold.
Insert a long piece of thread inside a needle. Now insert it into the silicone mold from the bottom, taking the needle out from the mold’s bottom hole. In case there is no hole at the bottom of your silicone mold, you can create one using a skewer or other similar candle making tool. Just make sure to locate the center accurately. Alternatively, you can insert the wick from the top of the silicone mold as well.
Once done, you’ll need to secure the wick at the center using a wick holder or wick-centering tool.
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Seal The Hole
Now use a sealer to ensure your candle wax won’t seep out of the silicone mould. The sealer should not be too sticky but sticky enough to not lose its tightening when hot wax is poured into the mold.
Place the mould in a tray to avoid any mess if your wax leaks out. This will also help if your silicone mould has any cracks, just wrap 2-3 elastic rubber bands around it to secure it well.
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Weigh & Melt The Candle Wax
Now it’s time to start melting candle wax for making candles.
Measure the wax depending on the size of your silicone candle mould and weigh it– calculating the weight of wax will assist in deciding the fragrance oil quantity in the future. Next, place the wax on a double boiler or use a saucepan to boil water and place a heat-resistant container over it. Stir the wax as it melts using a stirring wooden stick and adjust the heat flame or temperature.
Ensure there are no lumps in the candle wax and don’t heat it beyond the flash point. For this, you’ll need to monitor the temperature of melted wax throughout the process.
Since the melting points of candle wax differs, you must know about such details before deciding which is the best wax for making candles based on your preference.
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Add The Color Dye
We’re using soy wax so once it reaches 70℃/150℉, add the color dye of your choice in the prescribed quantity on the bottle. Or else, use the dye in accordance with how dark you want your candle to be. Stir the wax scrupulously.
NOTE: This step is optional so you can skip it.
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Add Fragrance/Essential Oil
After the melted wax reaches a temperature between 180-185℉ (82-85℃), turn off the heat source and add the fragrance oil into it. Wait! How much oil should you add? Answer: about 6-8 percent of melted wax mass. In other words, 6-8 grams of fragrance oil is sufficient for 100g of melted wax mass. Read our detailed blog about how much candle oil you should add.
NOTE: This step is optional so you can skip it.
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Pour Wax Into The Silicone Mould
Prepare the silicon mold for making candles with a releasing spray. Before pouring check the temperature of your melted wax, it should be between 130-135℉ (54-57℃). Now stir the wax nicely one more time before finally pouring it into the silicone mould. Use a steady speed and gradually put the wax into the mold to avoid the formation of air bubbles.
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Let The Candle Set & Cure
It’s time to let the candle chill and relax in a cool and dark place away from the sunlight. The mould should be left undisturbed for at least 23-24 hours or several days for best results. Furthermore, how much time the candle will take to solidify highly depends on the type of wax used and its quantity.
Changing its place every now and then can cause trouble attaining the perfect candle shape. So patiently let the candle harden before you proceed to the next step. You might notice your candle getting contracted, but don’t panic as this is quite normal.
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Demolding The Candle
Okay assuming that your candle has had enough time to set and cure, let’s discuss about demolding a candle from silicon mold. To do this, gently pull away the silicon mould from the candle, stretching it away from the candle– do this for all sides. Be careful not to use too much force as it might result in breaking the candle. Then turn the mold upside-down, and apply a little pressure on the on mold to push the candle out.
Alternatively, you can make some cuts around your silicone mould using a craft knife to ease the process. Now you must be thinking if you can use the silicone mold ever again after cutting. Well, you sure can– all you need to do is bring it into the perfect compact shape with elastic rubber bands. Trust the words!
This should take a few minutes but remember to be rigorous because remember this is the ultimate result of your hard work. To smoothen out the uneven base of the candle you can rub the candle bottom on a hot pan. Furthermore, you can trim or shave the unnecessary parts of the candle.
What’s next? Well, enjoy your candle as much as you enjoyed making it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I do to remove the candle from silicone mold without breaking it?
You can stretch and pull away the silicone mold from the candle and then bottom-up the mold to push out the candle. If your candle is still sticky to the mold, cut the edges of the silicone mold using a craft knife. Spraying the releasing solution a few minutes before pouring the melted wax can help too.
Is silicone mould a good choice for making candles?
Yes, indeed. In fact, silicone molds for making candles are preferred for their effortless after-cleaning.
What are some unique moulds for making candles?
There are a variety of unique silicone moulds for making candles, whether you need them for Christmas celebrations or birthdays. You can find silicone molds in heart shapes, geometric shapes, floral shapes, animal shapes, cube shapes, skeleton shape, and a lot more exciting shapes for pillar candles, votive candles, taper candles, etc.