As an ever-growing trend in modern businesses, soap and candle making are a great way to tap into the growing demand for homemade and natural products. Plus, it’s a fun and creative endeavor all in its own right. Making and selling candles is a fantastic way to merge your creative and entrepreneurial endeavors, as most businesses require a high level of skill and creativity. With the right materials and equipment, you can quickly become a soap or candle-making expert. In this article, we’ll tell you what you need to get started making and selling soaps and candles today!
Making Amazing Soaps at Home
Crafting soap at home is a fulfilling and creative endeavor that lets you tailor your soaps to your preferences. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
Materials and Equipment:
- Soap base (glycerin, goat’s milk, shea butter, etc.)
- Essential oils or fragrance oils
- Soap colorants (natural or synthetic)
- Soap molds
- Mixing utensils (stainless steel or silicone)
- Microwave or double boiler
- Thermometer
- Spray the bottle with rubbing alcohol
- Cutting tools (knife or soap cutter)
- Protective gear (gloves, safety glasses)
Choose a Soap Base:
Select a soap base that suits your needs and preferences, such as glycerin for transparent soaps or shea butter for added moisturizing.
Cut and Melt the Soap Base:
Cut the soap base into small chunks for easier melting. Use a microwave or double boiler to melt the chunks, monitoring the temperature with a thermometer.
Add Fragrance and Color:
Once melted, add your chosen essential oils or fragrance oils for scent. If desired, incorporate soap colorants to achieve the desired hue.
Mix and Pour:
Gently stir the mixture to evenly distribute fragrance and color. Pour the mixture into soap molds, leaving a bit of space at the top.
Eliminate Bubbles:
To remove air bubbles from the surface, lightly spray the poured soap with rubbing alcohol.
Cool and Harden:
Allow the soap to cool and solidify in the molds for several hours or according to the soap base’s instructions.
Demold and Cut:
Once the soap is completely set, carefully remove it from the molds. Use cutting tools to shape the soap as desired.
Curing:
Place the cut soap bars on a well-ventilated rack for 4-6 weeks to allow excess moisture to evaporate. This enhances the soap’s longevity and lathering properties.
Package and Label:
Once cured, package your homemade soaps in airtight containers to protect them from moisture and light. Label the containers with ingredients and dates.
Enjoy Your Homemade Soaps:
Your handmade soaps are now ready to be used and sold.
Crafting Candles That Sell
Creating candles at home is a fun and creative way to make some extra cash. And with practice, you can refine your skills and create stunning candles that make amazing-looking and smelling candles that sell. Here is how to do it:
Materials and Equipment:
- Wax (soy, paraffin, or beeswax)
- Wick (pre-tabbed wicks are convenient)
- Fragrance oils or essential oils
- Dye (if desired)
- Double boiler or microwave-safe container
- Thermometer
- Stirring utensil (metal or wooden)
- Candle molds or containers
- Wick holder or adhesive (optional)
- Scale (for accurate measurements)
Prepare Your Workspace:
Set up a clean and organized workspace with all your materials within reach.
Select and Prepare Containers:
Choose molds or containers for your candles. Ensure they are clean and dry.
Melt the Wax:
Use a double boiler or microwave to melt the wax. Monitor the temperature with a thermometer and heat until the wax reaches the desired temperature (depending on the type of wax).
Add Fragrance and Color:
Once the wax is melted, add fragrance oil or essential oil for scent. If you want colored candles, add dye according to your preference. Stir thoroughly.
Secure the Wick:
If using a wick holder, position it in the center of the container. Alternatively, dip the wick’s metal tab into the melted wax and press it onto the bottom of the container to secure the wick’s position.
Pour the Wax:
Slowly pour the melted wax into your containers, leaving some space at the top. Allow the candles to cool and harden.
Second Pour (Optional):
If a sinkhole forms on the top after the first pour, you can melt more wax and pour a second layer to even it out.
Trim the Wick:
Once the candles have fully cooled and solidified, trim the wick to about ¼ inch above the wax surface.
Curing:
Let the candles cure for a couple of days before burning. This improves the scent throw and overall burn quality.
Enjoy Your Candles:
Your homemade candles are now ready to be sold. *Remember to follow candle safety guidelines while burning them.
Marketing Your Candle or Soap Products
Marketing is an essential part of any business, and this is especially true with candles and soaps. To help get your product noticed, it is important to create an online presence. Social media is a great resource for creating relationships with your customers and getting your products seen. The more active you are in engaging with customers and in building an online presence, the more successful you will be. Facebook, for example, will let you create a free business page while TikTok will allow you to advertise your products and even sell them live.
Selling Your Candles or Soaps
Now that you’ve created the perfect candle or soap design and you have an idea on where to market, it’s time to sell your creations! You can start by selling your candles and soaps at local craft shows and farmers’ markets. This is a great way to build relationships with customers and start gaining interest in your products. You can also market your product at festivals and fairs.
The most consistent way to sell your products is online. This is the easiest way to gain access to a wider audience and spread the word about your product. Use selling platforms like Etsy and eBay. You can also use local online markets such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Getting Funds To Buy Supplies
While soap and candle making can be a fun and lucrative venture, it takes money to make money. To make the extra cash you need to get started in your new side hustle, try taking online paid surveys for money. All you need is a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or PC and a small amount of time. You can even make extra money to make soaps and candles to sell while sitting on your couch!
Branded Surveys is a top-rated paid surveys platform. They have paid out over 40 million dollars to their members! Get paid to simply answer survey questions in cash or by gift card rewards. Both can easily be used to buy the supplies you need for your new home business.
Closing Thoughts
Making and selling candles and soaps can be a rewarding and profitable business. With the right materials and a good marketing strategy, you can quickly become an expert and start selling your products to the world. And by getting paid to take surveys through Branded, you can get the extra cash you need to do it!
**Safety Considerations – Safety should always be a top priority when engaging in creative pursuits such as candle and soap making. Always read safety instructions on any materials that you purchase and protect yourself with the right attire and safe working practices. It is also essential to ensure that you create your candles and soaps in conditions where there is sufficient ventilation, as some materials may create hazardous fumes and particles.
