They’re made of many different materials, but most of them are made in a similar way. They’re often simply molded into the correct shape (at least this is the most common way to mass-produce them). However, they can also be “sculptured”, “dipped”, “layered” or “rolled”.

Although nowadays most candles are mass-produced in a factory setting, they can still be handmade. A common way of producing them is with paraffin wax (although other materials can also be used, such as beeswax).

The wax will be melted at temperatures up to 190 degrees Celsius. As the candle material is melting, a mixture of dye and perfume is made. Into this mixture, stearic acid is also thoroughly mixed. The acid is primarily used to harden the wax, because otherwise the candle will be too soft. The whole mixture is mixed together and used to fill the mold (after the wick has been placed in the center of the mold).

The final step is to let the candle cool, and then remove it from the mold. Although a rather simple process, it does take some time. Of course, once the candle has been made, it’s really up to you how it’s used. Try using unscented candles at the dinner table or a wall sconce candle holder in the living room.