You can make many household items at home, which will reduce cost and help you save money. But candles are an exception to this rule.

You may think you can make a candle at home for $35. While the actual materials for a candle can be made at home for less than $35, once the labour cost and start-up equipment are added, candle prices quickly increase. Therefore, most people wouldn't make a lot of candles, so making them at home would likely be a loss.

However, if you anticipate that you will be using a lot of candles, making them at home could be a good idea. The price per unit is cheaper than buying them in the store, as with all manufacturing processes that involve start-up costs.

While it might be less expensive to make candles than buying them in bulk, most candles can be made at home for much less than they would cost if purchased at a local store.

The Costs Of Making Your Candles
Here's a breakdown of the costs of candle making supplies. It will help you get an idea of how much it will run. Depending on how many candles are made and the exact materials you use, candles made at home may be less expensive than those bought in stores or may be much more expensive.

We'll get to the point!

Wax
Estimated Price: $20.00
Many waxes can be used for candles.
Soy wax flakes are generally the easiest to work and give good results for beginners. These waxes are also much cheaper than other types, so if you do make mistakes with a candle or two, they won't cost much and can be used as a learning tool.

Wicks
Estimated Price: $12.00
Wicks can be quite inexpensive and you may end up with more than what you use. But, buying too many could mean a higher cost. When deciding how many candles to make, keep in mind how many wicks will be needed. It can be frustrating to have too many wicks.

Fragrances
Estimated Price: $25.00
The cost of candle scented oils can vary greatly depending on what type you choose, how high the quality is, and how many you purchase.

Dyes
Estimated Price: $22.00
People love to dye candles to make them more beautiful. It's one of the best parts about making candles.

Containers
Estimated Price: $25.00
Any container that can hold hot wax can be used. But, it's important to choose something attractive on the outside as this is what you will see most often when you look into your candle.

Tools & Accessories
Estimated Price: $32.00
To make candles, you don't need many tools and accessories. They are easy to find in most households, but it is possible to spend a lot more if you buy them new.

Time And Labour
Estimated Price: $29.00
Although some prefer to not factor their time into the final cost of the candles that they make, you should get an accurate price.

Comparison Between Store-Bought And Homemade Candles
The above estimates of the cost to make your candles come out to a total amount of:
Wax - $20.00
Wicks - $12.00
Fragrances starting at $25.00
Dyes - $22.00
Containers - $25.00
Tools and Accessories: $32.00
Labour and time - $29.00
Total $164.00
The numbers shown above are an average price estimate because prices can vary, depending on many variables.

For $20.50 each, you could make eight candles from the above materials. Although this price is reasonable for a homemade candle, it's still quite expensive compared to store-bought candles which are typically $8-12.