Candle making is safe when you take a few precautions, and the precautions are simple once you know them. The accidents that happen almost always come from one of three things: equipment that cannot handle the heat, materials that were never meant to burn, or a cluttered workspace around hot wax. This guide covers each one, plus how to test and label a candle before you sell it. If you have never made a candle before, read it through once before you turn on the heat.
The Equipment That Keeps You Safe
Hot wax reaches temperatures that will crack the wrong glass, warp the wrong mold, and burn bare skin. The equipment you choose is the first line of defense, so start with gear rated for the job.
Safe Candle Making Equipment
Graded containers only
Pour into containers cleared by the manufacturer for candle use. Our glass candle vessels are all rated for candle making. Repurposed jars and thrift-store glass can crack or fracture when exposed to the temperatures involved in candle making and burning.
A thermometer
Watch the wax temperature the whole time with a thermometer. Overheated wax can crack the glass you pour into, give off smoke that irritates the lungs, and become a fire hazard. The thermometer is what keeps you in a safe range.
An easy-to-handle pouring pot
Use a pouring pot you can hold safely when it is full of hot wax. Ours have a plastic handle you can grip with a bare hand even when the pot is full, so a heavy pour does not become a spill.
Heat-rated molds
If you use molds, make sure the material can take the heat of melted wax. Our pillar molds, votive molds, and clamshell molds are all made from heat-resistant materials.
The Materials That Keep You Safe
The materials going into your candle decide whether it burns clean or becomes a hazard. Three choices matter most: the wax, the scent, and the wick.
Use only wax made for candle making. A wax that was never formulated to burn can give off smoke that irritates the lungs or turn into a fire risk. The waxes we carry are non-toxic and safe for candle making; if you are weighing one against another, our Soy vs. Paraffin: The BIG Debate comparison covers how soy and paraffin burn.
Scent your candles with fragrance oils or essential oils made for the purpose. Perfumes and colognes are alcohol-based and not formulated to burn in wax, so they can be a fire hazard and will not throw scent well. Some fragrance oils can irritate the skin, so if you get oil on yours, rinse the area with cool water and mild soap. When you scent skincare or other high-load products, follow the IFRA Certificate for each oil, which sets the maximum usage level per application for safe use[4].
Size the wick to the candle. A wick too large for the vessel burns hot and can produce soot, and a flame that runs too hot has been known to fracture or shatter the glass. Size your wick with our guide to wicking and shop candle wicks when you know the size you need. Then test burn the candle, because a test burn is the only way to confirm it is not burning too hot.
Set Up a Safe Workspace
A safe workspace is mostly about three things: air, skin protection, and room to work. Set it up before you melt anything.
Set Up a Safe Candle Making Workspace
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1
Ventilate the space
Work in an open, well-ventilated area so you are not breathing concentrated fragrance vapor. Bringing in outdoor air dilutes indoor pollutants and helps keep the air clear[3]. In a kitchen, turn on the vent hood; if there is no hood, open a window or a door to keep the air moving. Prolonged exposure to fragrance vapor in a closed room can cause dizziness, headaches, or respiratory irritation.
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Protect your skin
Hot wax can splash when you pour and stir. Wear closed shoes, long pants, and ideally an apron so a splash lands on fabric instead of skin.
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3
Set aside a cooling area
Give your candles a dedicated spot to sit undisturbed for several hours while the wax sets. Moving a candle while it is still liquid can spill hot wax and ruins the surface.
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Keep it organized
A clear, uncluttered workspace is a safer one. When tools and supplies have a place, there is less to knock into a hot pour or a lit flame.
Test Burn and Label Before You Sell
Every candle you intend to sell should be test burned first. A test burn confirms the wick is sized right and the candle is not burning too hot, which is what causes a glass vessel to fracture. Burn a single tester through a full melt pool and watch how the flame behaves before you make a batch. Our Wick Testing guide walks through what to look for.
Burning a Finished Candle Safely
The safety habits do not end when the candle is poured. Pass these along to anyone who burns your candles, and follow them yourself.
How to Burn a Candle Safely
Never leave it unattended
A burning candle is an open flame. Put it out whenever you leave the room or go to sleep[1].
Keep it clear of what can burn
Set candles well away from curtains, paper, bedding, and anything else flammable[1].
Trim the wick
Trim the wick to about a quarter inch before each burn. An untrimmed wick burns with a larger flame, smokes, and soots.
Keep it out of reach
Place candles where children and pets cannot knock them over, on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
Candle making is safe and rewarding once these precautions become routine. Take your time setting up, work clean, and follow the temperatures your wax and materials call for. If you are just getting started, our What You Should Know Before You Make Your First Candle guide covers the supplies and basics you'll need, while our Do's & Don'ts of Candle Making guide highlights the habits that help keep every batch on track.
