How to Make Mini Candles in Small Glass Bottles with Lids

A scented candle with an exciting fragrance is therapy on another level. If the fragrance comes from essential oils, so much the better. The healing qualities in scented candles are unforgettable. They can induce sleep or deep relaxation within moments. What an impassable opportunity to be able to afford large glass candle jars. They can transform your living space into a heaven of scents for many weeks. But they might come around as a bit expensive for some average folks. Why not make mini candles in small glass bottles with lids? Sounds like a fun and DIY project.

Scented candles are no mean stress relievers. They massage and calm your mind and mood with invisible fingers. So having a couple of them at home is beneficial. Better still, you can indulge in several unique fragrances depending on your mood. Apply a different scent to each mini candle - that's all. Mini candles in small glass bottles with lids are economical and portable. A mini candle can accompany you on a trip without a fuss. Or put them in different spots around the house. For a fact, mini candles are adorable pocket-size gifts. 

Mini Candles in Small Glass Bottles with Lids: Items You Need

Imagine the cost of getting any one of the exquisite large glass candle jars. You may make a sizable batch of mini candles from it. And you may be lucky to keep some change. Not attempting to talk down on large glass candle jars, though. They are worth every dime spent on buying them.

You will need the items below:

• Candle wax - which could be beeswax, paraffin, or soy wax.

• Essential oil(s) or fragrance oil(s) of your choice. Try lavender, lemongrass, and geranium. Citrus, ylang-ylang, tea tree, and eucalyptus are also top choices.

• Small candle wicks. Their sizes should match the size of the bottles.

• Wick holders. They support the wick while the wax attempts to harden. Pencils can do similar work.

• A thermometer. Useful for observing the wax’s temperature.

• Wick stickers. Use them to keep the wick in place. You may use hot glue instead.

• A wax melting/pouring pot. Shaped to ease pouring out the molten wax.

• A double boiler - a special pot for melting the wax. You may use a microwave oven in its place. There are also double boiler wax melting pots.

• Colouring flakes or wax dye (for coloured candles only)

• Small glass bottles with lids

Which Wax Should You Use?

Type of Wax	Burn time (mini candle)	Scent throw	Best for
Soy wax	Slower, clean burn	Good, holds fragrance well	Beginners, vegan candles
Beeswax	Longest burn	Naturally light honey scent	Natural/unscented candles
Paraffin wax	Fast, strong burn	Strongest scent throw	Bold fragrances, coloured candles

Choosing the Right Shape of Jars  for Candles & Candle Wicks

When making mini candles, it's important to ensure your wax load and wick thickness fit the specific shape of your glass container. This is essential for achieving an even burn without overheating the glass.

The reference table below outlines popular UK small glass containers and their technical burn requirements:

Glass Vessel Profile	Ideal Wax Type	Wick Diameter & Type	Burn Profile & Performance
Squat Glass Jars (Low & Wide)	Soy Wax/Coconut Wax	Medium-to-wide cotton wick	Low centre of gravity with a wide burn pool; prevents heat from being trapped near the base.
Square Glass Jars (Geometric)	Beeswax Blend/Paraffin	Medium cotton or small wooden wick	Corner wax pools take longer to melt; requires precise wick centring to avoid tunnelling.
Orcio Glass Jars (Curved/Amphora)	Soy Wax/Rapeseed Wax	Small-to-medium cotton wick	Curving walls retain ambient heat well; requires a slightly smaller wick to prevent glass overheating.
Mini Glass Bottles (Narrow Neck)	Soft Soy Wax	Fine paper-core or thin cotton wick	High vertical heat concentration; strictly best suited for decorative votives or slow-burn accents.

Instructions:

• Start by washing the bottles and airing them to dry.

• Ensure they are very neat.

• Use either wick stickers or hot glue to stick the wick to the bottom of each jar.

• Now melt the wax. In a double boiler, put the wax in the top pot. Let enough water be in the bottom pot. Place the double boiler on medium heat. Otherwise, if you use a microwave oven, melt the wax in a microwave-safe container. Whichever method you use, stir the wax every 30 seconds until well melted.

• Take the wax away from the heat.

• The thermometer will be handy at this point. Check for when the temperature cools down to about 75 degrees Celsius. Then you can stir in the fragrance/essential oil. Use one ounce of the oil for each pound of wax, and mix well.

• Stir in the colouring until they blend well.

• Wait for the wax to cool down to about 65 degrees Celsius. Pour the wax into each bottle - but not to the brim. Leave some headspace atop the wax to give it room for expansion. To prevent air bubbles, handle it in a slow manner.

• You need to provide support for the wick. It should remain upstanding and centered in the wax. To achieve this, lay a wick holder across the mouth of each bottle. A pencil can work in the place of a wick holder. It should remain this way until the wax firms up.

• Allow the candles to harden at normal/room temperature. It may require more than a few hours, but leave them undisturbed. Do not attempt to make them cool down faster.

• When the candles become very firm, snip the free-hanging wick ends with scissors. Allow 6mm of each wick end to remain atop the candle.

• Here’s a bonus tip. Use a hair dryer to neaten the top of the candle after it sets. The brief heat makes the top look even. An alternative is to use a heat gun.

• The bottle lids will keep the fragrance from wasting away. Once the coolling is complete, cover each bottle with the lid.

Pro Tips for Perfect Mini Candles

● Wick Sizing: The wick size must match the diameter of your jar for an even burn. Use a wick selection guide or contact your supplier for recommendations.

● Secure the Wick: Use a hot glue gun or wick stickers to firmly secure the wick tab to the centre of the jar's bottom. Keep the wick upright by wrapping the extra length around a skewer or pencil laid across the jar's mouth.

● Temperature is Key: Add your fragrance oil when the melted wax has cooled to around 75°C and pour the wax at about 65°C. This prevents the fragrance from burning off and helps the candle set properly.

● Prevent Sinkholes: As wax cools, it can contract and form sinkholes around the wick. Use a heat gun to gently melt the top layer and create a smooth, professional finish.

● Test Your Scents: The UK's damp climate can affect fragrance throw. Start with a small batch to test the scent strength before committing to a large production run.

Common Problems With Candle Making and How to Fix Them

Problem	Cause	How to Fix
Tunnelling (wax walls remain)	The wick is too small; first burn too short	Size up your wick; ensure first burn melts wax to the edges
Sinkhole in centre	You poured the wax while too hot or cooled too fast	Pour at 65°C; cool slowly at room temperature
No scent throw	The fragrance was added too hot or poor quality oil	Add oil at 75°C; use candle-specific fragrance oils
Wick drowning	The wick too small; too much fragrance	Size up by reducing the fragrance load to 6-8%
Frosting (white coating)	It’s natural in soy/rapeseed and temperature shock	Normal and safe; avoid rapid temperature changes
Wet spots (glass pulling away)	You poured too cool or the jar was too cold	Warm jars slightly before pouring

Conclusion

Large glass candle jars with alluring scents are great to have. They can give you a soothing indoor experience. But you may consider them expensive, or you want smaller DIY versions. Follow the outlined steps above to make scented mini candles.

Using small glass bottles with lids, you can make portable scented mini candles. They are suitable as gifts or as part of your travel kit. The lids also preserve the fragrance any time they are not in use.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Can I reuse old candle jars or food jars for my mini candles?

Absolutely! This is a great way to be eco-friendly. Orcio jars, jam jars, and honey jars are perfect, provided they are heat-resistant and thoroughly cleaned.

What type of wax is best for candles in the UK climate?

Soy wax is a popular, eco-friendly choice that burns cleanly. Beeswax is natural and has a subtle honey scent. Paraffin wax is affordable and holds fragrance well, but is less sustainable.

Can I use essential oils from the supermarket in candles?

You can, but they are not optimised for candles. Supermarket essential oils often have low flash points, meaning the scent evaporates before the candle is even lit. For the best results, buy candle-grade fragrance oils from a UK candle supply company.

Where can I buy small glass bottles with lids in the UK? 

Southern Jar Company supplies a wide range of small glass bottles and jars with lids across the UK, in shapes including squat, square, orcio and hexagonal.