Light up your next gathering with warm, flickering oil candles. Simple, charming, and customizable, these DIY candles are a fun, creative alternative to store-bought options. Made with items you likely already have at home, they’re a quick, charming touch to any celebration!
Why Make Oil Candles?
Oil candles are cost-effective and an excellent alternative to store-bought candles. They can last longer, are less smoking-prone, and emit a clean, natural glow. With a few easy-to-find supplies and some fun customizations, you can create functional and decorative candles.
I love hosting friends and family (I even wrote a book about it!) and adding handmade touches that create an inviting atmosphere. I first started making oil candles and terracotta votives for our outdoor gatherings, and they quickly became conversation starters!
These DIYs add a charming, cozy glow to any setting and let me personalize the decor for each occasion, making guests feel even more welcome.
Supplies You’ll Need for DIY Oil Candles
To get started, gather these materials:
- Light oil: You can use olive, sunflower, or canola oil. Each has different burn times and scents, allowing you to customize the feel of your candles.
- Small jars: Mason jars or any heat-safe glass jars work well if you are using a floating wick. Bottle jars work if you use a wick fastener, as I did it.
- Wick & Wick Fastener: I used these copper and glass wick fasteners from Etsy and really love them. I can use them over and over again by changing out the wick. I use a simple cotton wick or one specially designed for oil candles.
- Decorative elements: Fresh herbs like rosemary, dried fruits like dehydrated orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, or tiny pine cones can add a beautiful, seasonal touch to your oil candles.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Oil Candles
Step 1: Prepare Your Jar with Decorative Elements
Select a small glass jar or Mason jar. Then, add your decorative elements directly into the jar, arranging them however you’d like. Some ideas include:
- Cinnamon sticks for a cozy aroma.
- Dried orange slices for a citrus scent and vibrant color.
- Rosemary sprigs for a natural green touch.
- Cranberries for a festive red color.
- Pine cones or dried flowers for a rustic look.
Step 2: Pour in the Oil
Once you’ve added the decorative elements, pour the oil into the jar until it’s about two-thirds full. Here are some recommended oils:
- Olive oil: Provides a subtle, clean scent and long burn.
- Sunflower oil: A budget-friendly, neutral-scented option.
- Canola oil: Widely available and odorless, ideal for a fragrance-free candle.
Step 3: Add and Position the Wick
For a Standard Wick Setup
Use a skewer or chopstick to gently press the wick into the jar, ensuring it reaches the bottom. Adjust the wick so that only about a quarter-inch is exposed above the oil surface. If necessary, trim the wick to fit the jar size.
For a Floating Wick Setup
If you use a jar with a large opening, you can use a floating wick; place it on the soil surface, allowing it to float. Floating wicks make it easy to adjust and refill the oil without repositioning. These floating wick disks are widely available online and make candle-making even simpler. Just place the floating wick on the oil surface and light it!
Step 4: Light and Enjoy
Your oil candle is now ready to light! Oil candles burn steadily, and you’ll only need to top up the oil occasionally.
Safety Tips for Oil Candles
Follow these safety guidelines when using oil candles:
- Never leave burning candles unattended.
- Use heat-safe glass containers.
- Keep the wick short: A shorter wick produces a steadier flame and minimizes smoke.
- Avoid placing flammable decorations near the wick: Ensure decorative items are well-submerged in oil and away from the flame.
- Store oil away from the candle flame.
Customization Ideas for Your Oil Candle
- Seasonal Scents: Add cloves, pine cones, or vanilla pods for winter.
- Citrus Freshness: Use lemon or orange slices for a vibrant look and light fragrance.
- Floral Elegance: For a floral touch, try dried lavender, rose petals, or eucalyptus leaves.
Choosing Non-Toxic Wicks for Your Oil Candles
Here are some of the best non-toxic options:
- Cotton Wicks: 100% cotton wicks are a popular non-toxic choice, as they are free from chemicals and burn cleanly. Look for options labeled “lead-free” or “metal-free.”
- Hemp Wicks: Hemp is another excellent natural material for wicks. Hemp wicks are often coated with beeswax, which helps them burn slowly and steadily.
- Wood Wicks: These are made from natural wood and produce a soft crackling sound. Make sure they are untreated and free of chemicals for a non-toxic burn.
Choosing any of these natural wicks, particularly those labeled as free from metals or synthetic treatments, ensures a clean, safe burn for your candles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Candles
Oil candles have a long burn time. Typically, an ounce of olive oil can burn for around four hours.
Lighter oils like sunflower, olive, and canola oil work best for clean burning. Heavier oils like coconut may burn less efficiently.
Not usually. Light oils burn cleanly. Keeping the wick short also helps prevent smoke.
Yes, oil candles can be a non-toxic option, especially if you use natural oils like olive, sunflower, or canola oil, which are safe and burn cleanly without releasing harmful chemicals. Unlike some store-bought candles that may contain synthetic fragrances or paraffin, oil candles with natural ingredients are a safer choice for indoor use.
More Cozy DIY Projects You’ll Love
Homemade Fire Starters: Perfect for outdoor fire pits or your fireplace, these DIY fire starters are naturally scented with beeswax, cinnamon sticks, rosemary, and dried fruit.
DIY Terracotta Votives: Create charming terracotta votive holders with a rustic touch. These are perfect for a warm, earthy aesthetic that complements any decor style.
DIY Jar Candles: Classic wax jar candles are easily customized with your favorite seasonal scents and decorations.
DIY Tiki Torch Bottles: You can turn any glass bottle into an outdoor tabletop tiki torch! Perfect for outdoor entertaining!
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DIY Oil Candles
Ingredients
- 3 small Glass Wick Holders, 1" Brass Rings, you can buy them here, and they fit most bottle tops.
- 3 organic cotton wicks
- 3 small Glass Bottles, you can use anything you want with a bottle top, large, small… wine bottles even work! I used something similar to these
- 16 ounces oil , of your choice
- 4 ounces berries, cinnamon sticks, rosemary and dried orange slices. , or pick organic material you like
Instructions
- Start by arranging a few decorative items in each jar. Place 1-2 cinnamon sticks, a dried orange slice, a few cranberries, or a sprig of rosemary in each jar. Get creative with the arrangement, ensuring they’re positioned near the sides for a beautiful visual effect when the candles are lit.
- Submerge the wick into the oil to soak for a few seconds.
- Pour about the oil of your chosen oil into each jar, filling them to about two-thirds full. Make sure the decorative elements are submerged, as this helps prevent them from overheating when the candle burns.
- Place the wick in the center of the jar, using a skewer or chopstick to press it down and secure it to the jar’s bottom. Ensure the wick stands upright, with about a quarter-inch above the oil for an even burn. Trim the wick if it’s too long for the jar’s size.
- If you use a Mason jar with a large opening, you must use a floating wick for the top.
- Light and enjoy the glow of a naturally made candle! Blow them out when you're not using and never leave them unattended.
