DIY Citrus Peel Candles with Orange and Lemon
Turn fresh orange and lemon peels into small decorative soy candles with this simple candle-making project.
Equipment
- Knife
- Spoon
- Double boiler or microwave-safe container
- Heat-safe tray or ceramic plate
- scissors
Ingredients
- 1 orange
- 2 lemons
- 1 to 1½ cups soy wax flakes
- 6 pre-waxed pre-tabbed candle wicks suitable for soy wax
- Candle-safe fragrance oil or essential oil optional
- Wick stickers or a small amount of melted wax
Instructions
- Cut the orange and lemons in half across the middle.
- Carefully scoop out the fruit with a spoon, keeping the peels intact.
- Check that each peel sits steadily. When needed, carefully trim a very thin slice from the bottom.
- Place one pre-tabbed candle wick in the center of each peel. Secure it with a wick sticker or a small amount of melted wax.
- Melt the soy wax according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- Stir in candle-safe fragrance oil or essential oil, if using. Follow the amount recommended for your wax and fragrance.
- Carefully pour the melted wax into the citrus peels, leaving a little room at the top.
- Keep the wicks straight and centered while the wax begins to set.
- Allow the candles to cool and harden undisturbed at room temperature overnight.
- Trim each wick to about ¼ inch before lighting.
Video
Notes
- Always place the candles upright on a dry, heat-safe ceramic plate or shallow tray.
- Keep the burn time short and never leave the candles unattended.
- Extinguish the candle if the peel darkens, dries, softens, leaks, or changes shape.
- Use fragrance or essential oil only when it is approved for candle making.
- Fresh citrus peels will naturally dry and shrink, so use the candles within a few days.
- Wick performance may vary between the smaller lemon halves and the wider orange halves.