8 Mistakes Candle Makers Should Avoid & How To Fix Them Immediately 

Candle making is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby, but it can also be a delicate art that requires patience, practice, and attention to detail. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced candle maker, it’s important to be aware of the common mistakes that can occur during the candle making process. In this blog post, I’ll highlight eight mistakes that candle makers should avoid and provide you with tips on how to fix them immediately.

You are using the wrong amount of fragrance oil

Let’s get one thing straight: some waxes and wicks just don’t vibe. But that’s not the only thing that can go wrong with your candle game. Did you know that using the wrong amount of fragrance oil (FO) can totally mess up your candle’s performance?

Yep, it’s true! Too little FO and you won’t smell a darn thing, while too much FO can clog up your wick and stop it from burning properly. Think of it like a straw with a pesky piece of fruit stuck in it – your candle’s fragrance won’t be able to flow properly and will be a total bummer.

So, how much FO should you use? Most waxes can handle up to 12% fragrance load (some even up to 15%), but that doesn’t mean you should always max out. It’s all about finding that sweet spot. And don’t worry, I’ll do the math for you – we’re talking 6-12 grams of FO for every 100 grams of wax.

Start with a 6% FO load and test it out. If it’s not strong enough, bump it up to 8% and see if that does the trick. Keep testing until you find the perfect balance. And trust me, more FO doesn’t always mean a better scent. You gotta play around and find what works best for you and your nose.

So go ahead and make that wickless candle (don’t worry, I’ll explain later), and start testing your FO load. It’s all about trial and error, but with a little patience and some good math skills, you’ll be burning bright in no time.

You are using the same wick size for every candle

Congratulations! You’ve struck gold with the perfect combination of wax, fragrance oil %, and wick size for your candle. It’s a real winner and you’re ready to add another fragrance to your collection. But hold on, why isn’t the second candle performing like the first one? Did the flame go wild or just die out? Don’t throw in the towel just yet and switch to becoming a dog walker! It’s time to call on the Wick Man, because the culprit is most likely the wick.

You see, the wick is like the mediator between the fuel and the performance of your candle. It’s the trickiest part of candle-making, but fear not, the Wick Man is here to help. Remember when we talked about how the amount and type of fragrance oil used can clog up the wick? Well, it can also affect the way your wick burns, depending on the ingredients in the fragrance oil. That’s why changing the fragrance oil can alter the performance of your wick, and you may need to adjust the wick size accordingly.

Yes there are many mistakes candle makers should avoid, but here’s the good news – there’s an easy solution to save you from wasting wax, FO, and time. It’s called wickless testing, and it’ll get you in the ballpark to find the best wick for your candle. Wickless testing involves creating a candle with the fragrance oil, but without a wick permanently stuck inside your candle. Once your wickless candle has cured, you can make a hole in the center and insert the wick size you want to test. If you’re using wooden wicks, you don’t need to create a hole – just slide the wick in.

I get it. You would rather watch wickless testing in action rather than read about it. No worries! Check out this video here.

You are relying solely on your own nose to test HOT THROW

Did you know you could become nose blind to your own candle creations? Yep! So, don’t rely solely on your own sense of smell when it comes to hot throw!

Hot throw is a subjective experience, and everyone interprets scent differently. Plus, when you’re personally invested in your creations, bias can cloud your judgment. And let’s not forget about nose blindness – it’s a real thing!

But fear not, there is a solution. You can “reset” your sense of smell by taking a break or exposing yourself to a different, stronger scent. Or better yet, enlist the help of some “nose professionals.”

Yes, you read that right. Nose professionals are a thing (not really)! And who better to hire than your own kids? Offer them some cookies or extra video game time, and they’ll happily do the scent smelling for you.

So, before making any final decisions on your candle hot throw, get some feedback from a few extra noses. Trust me, it’ll save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.

You aren’t letting your candles cure properly before burning them

Are you a candle-making enthusiast who just can’t wait to light up your latest creation? Hold on there, speedy! While we understand your excitement, testing your candles too soon can actually make you wait longer for complete results.

It’s like cooking a meal: some dishes taste even better the day after because chemical reactions continue to take place and produce more flavor molecules. Similarly, when you pour hot wax into your candle vessel, the wax and fragrance oil need time to “cure” or “settle” before they can burn properly and develop their full fragrance throw.

Curing time varies depending on the type of wax, the size of the candle, and the ambient temperature and humidity. But as a general rule, you should wait at least 5 days for paraffin wax, 1 week for palm or rapeseed wax, 10 days for beeswax, and 2 weeks for soy or coconut wax.

Now, we know you can’t resist testing your candles, but trust me: waiting until they’re fully cured will ensure they’re safe and perform up to your standards. So go ahead and practice a little patience – your candles (and your nose!) will thank you for it.

You are giving or worse selling candles without insurance

Hey, listen up! How many times have you heard someone say, “Do I really need insurance for my hobby candles?” Let me tell you, that’s a big no-no! Sure, you might think it’s harmless to make a few candles and give them away as gifts, but what if something goes wrong?

I’m talking about a house burning down, or even worse, someone getting hurt. And guess who they’re going to come after? You! That’s right, you could be held responsible for all the damages and the legal fees can leave you in a financial pit.

Now, imagine you’re selling your candles without insurance. You might as well stick your thumb in your mouth and blow a few times before slapping yourself because that’s just crazy! You live in the US, where people are ready to sue you just for breathing.

But don’t worry, getting candle insurance is easy and affordable. For just $40 a month (or less), you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re covered for fire damage, liability, lost or stolen merchandise, and equipment protection.

And let me tell you, it’s not just about protecting your assets. It’s also about protecting yourself from stress and worry. So don’t wait any longer, check out Next, Liberty Mutual, Hiscox, Acuity, State Farm, Soap Guild, Thimble, or any other insurance provider and get yourself some candle insurance.

You aren’t testing your candles properly

Let’s get real for a minute, because there’s nothing more important than safety when it comes to candle making. Sure, it’s tempting to jump right in and start getting creative, but trust me when I say that you don’t want to end up in the slammer because you neglected safety measures.

I know, I know, it’s not the sexiest topic, but hear me out. You can’t have fun and be creative if you’re behind bars, am I right? That’s why it’s absolutely crucial to put safety first. Don’t you want to know if your candles are safe, perform well, and won’t accidentally burn someone’s hand off? Of course you do!

That’s why I recommend performing these 5 essential tests for every candle you make:

1. Safety Test – check the flame height, surface temperature, soot levels, and carbon formation.
2. Performance & Aesthetics Candle Test – see how your candle looks and acts during a burn, and how it smells when hot or cold.
3. Power Burn Candle Test – test the candle for longer than 4 hours for safety.
4. Situational Candle Test – put your candle in different situations to see how it performs.
5. Friends & Family Candle Test – let your loved ones test your candle and give you feedback.

I know, it may sound like a lot of work, but trust me when I say that it’s worth it. Plus, if you want more info on these tests, check out this handy video. So go ahead, get creative and have fun with your candle making, but always remember that safety comes first!

You have too many different candle items

Starting your own business can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to deciding what products to offer. But remember the KISS principle, or Keep it Simple Silly! You don’t need a truckload of products to get started, and having too many options can actually make things more chaotic.

Instead, start small and focus on a few quality items. For example, if you’re getting into candle making, start with just 1-3 candle jars with a few different scents. You can always create gift sets or package deals with them to add another product to your line.

It’s like going on a first date. You take things slow and keep it simple. Maybe a nice dinner or a dance, and if you’re lucky, a goodnight kiss. Same goes for your business – start with a few items and build from there when the time is right.

So don’t stress yourself, your customers, or your wallet by trying to do too much too soon. Keep it simple silly and watch your business grow organically.

Shiny object syndrome

Are you constantly drawn to new things? Well, you might just be suffering from the infamous shiny object syndrome. Don’t worry, it’s not a contagious disease, but it can be just as distracting and derail your focus and progress.

Think of it like a child in a toy store, getting fixated on a new toy and unable to focus on anything else until they have it. But as adults, we can’t afford to let SOS rule our lives and sabotage our candle-making goals.

Luckily, there’s a cure! The first step is acknowledging that you have a problem. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to write down your plan and goals and stick to them like super glue. Be specific about what you want to achieve, how your candles will look, and set a timeframe for your goals.

And here’s a pro-tip: find a candle-making buddy who can keep you accountable and on track. You could even join a Facebook group with other candle makers and have some fun while working towards your goals.

So, try your best to stop being distracted by new objects and stick to your plan. And before you know it, you’ll be making amazing candles and achieving your dreams.

Check out the video on 8 mistakes candle makers should avoid & how to fix them immediately here if you would rather watch than read.