How to make an olive oil candle

Learning to make a homemade candle using olive oil is the kind of fun hobby that anybody can try – but it’s also a quick way of providing light in an unexpected power cut or creating a pleasant atmosphere in a hurry.

An olive oil candle is a great alternative to conventional paraffin wax candles, but how exactly do you go about making one? It’s actually super simple: all you need is a suitable container, water, olive oil, a wick and a bit of creativity.

Before we go through each of the stages involved in making an olive oil candle, it’s really important that you get the right kind of container. There’s plenty to choose from, and the right container could vary based on the intended use for the candle – providing light, decoration, creating a special night etc.

First and foremost, your container needs to be big enough to hold the liquid.

The most common containers used are glass jars. They’re easy to find at home, come in all shapes and sizes and are easy to decorate. Alternatively, you can use glass cups, which are even easier to get your hands on, or old unused mugs or earthenware flower pots, for an even more rustic look. Empty beer bottles, cans cut in half or tuna tins also work well, if you’re looking to inject a bit of color and creativity into your home.

Making an olive oil candle is really easy. You can use 100% oil or mix three parts water with one part oil, which means the oil floats to the surface.

The use of a small quantity of oil means that this type of candle is much cheaper and longer-lasting than a wax candle, because you can top it up with more oil.

Once you’ve chosen your container and prepared your mixture, it’s time to think about how you’re going to personalize your candles. If you want to add a scent, you could add essential oils of lavender, rosemary, rose, mint or any other fragrance you like.

• add liquid coloring to the mixture to create stunning candles that will light up your house or garden with gorgeous phosphorescent color;
• use felt tips to add a design to your old mugs or use acrylic spray to decorate tins or oil cans;
• add other decorative elements, such as flowers or pebbles, which will float to the bottom.

Fill the container: pour your oil, or your mixture of oil and water, into the container until you get to around two-thirds of the way up.

Make the wick: you can make one from an old bit of cloth or fabric or a piece of chunky cotton thread, which you can cut to the required length. In order to make the wick float, you need to pass it through a small, round piece of plastic, which you’ll need to have made a hole in. You can get this online or use something you already have around the house.

Insert the wick: use your index finger and middle finger to hold the wick by the piece of plastic, then lay it carefully on top of the mixture, to create your floating oil candle.

All you have to do now is strike a match and light your olive oil candle. That’s all there is to it!