Orange Candle {With 9 Orange Candle Scents}

Give your home a boost of sunshine with a DIY orange candle! It will fill your home with the comforting and cheering scent of sweet oranges. The easy candle recipe uses natural soy wax infused with essential oils, and shows 9 different orange scent blends, ranging from fresh + citrusy to warm and cozy.

Orange soy candle with essential oils

I’m so thrilled to share this DIY orange candle recipe with you! The scent of these juicy, sun-warmed fruits lends itself to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Burning an orange-scented candle is a delight for the senses and will brighten even the dullest days!

Orange is such a versatile aroma, and I’ve rounded up my favorite scent combos. Orange notes blend beautifully alongside other citruses, herbs, and spices in both summery fragrances and holiday-inspired blends.

Combine it with other citrus oils for bright, joyful scents. Pair it with vanilla for a gourmand aroma. Or blend it with spices for a cozy holiday fragrance. All there’s left to do is pick your favorite!

For more citrusy aromatherapy, try my DIY lemon candle, lemon diffuser blends, and citrus wax sachets.

Orange candle benefits

What are orange candles good for? Here’s a brief overview of the potential benefits associated with orange essential oil and homemade candles:

• Relaxing + uplifting: Orange essential oil possesses aromatherapy benefits. Inhaling the oil can improve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. A study showed that it may reduce the pulse rate in moments of unrest. Another study reports that the EO has a positive effect on anxiety.
• Air freshener: Aside from the aromatherapeutic benefits, burning an orange candle is also a fabulous way to deodorize your home. The lively citrus smell can help rid your home of unpleasant smells and lingering odors.
• Bug repellent: Orange appears to have bug repellent properties. Diffusing the oil in your home will keep houseflies at bay, according to a study. For a stronger effect, try my citronella candle recipe.
• All-natural: Did you know that many commercial candles are not only made with paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum, but contain a slew of questionable chemicals and synthetic fragrances? Creating your own candles puts you in control of what goes into them. In this case, soy wax and essential oils.
• Beautiful gift: I love giving and receiving handmade gifts because they are heartfelt and personal. And DIY candles are truly a lovely and easy-to-do gift idea for any occasion and season.

Materials & supplies

Here’s what goes into homemade orange candles. You can make this candle recipe with any type of candle wax, but I prefer soy wax for a beautiful finish and clean burn.

• Orange essential oil: Although I love the sweet-smelling orange oil from Plant Therapy, I recommend their orange 5-fold oil for candle making. This oil has gone through several rounds of distillation and is a more concentrated orange essential oil with a strong, fruity scent.
• Soy wax: Golden Brands 646 soy wax is my go-to choice for candle making. The 646 is an excellent base for container candles and holds a good amount of scent.
• Cotton wick: A pre-tapped cotton wick is a convenient option for DIY candles.
• Heatproof glass container: A heat-resistant glass jar is an excellent vessel for homemade candles. I used a textured orange glass tumbler that provides a golden glow as the candle burns.

Equipment

As for tools, you’ll need the following equipment:

• Melting pot to melt the soy wax
• Spoon for stirring
• Hot glue gun to secure the wick to the candle container
• Wick holder to keep the wick in place as the wax cools
• Scissors to clip the wick

Orange essential oil candle scents

Although I adore the sweet smell of pure orange, I couldn’t resist playing with my essential oil collection and creating a variety of orange candle scents. The sunny citrus oil takes the lead in all of the following blends that make for delightful candle fragrances.

The amounts are enough to scent one 8-oz / 225 g candle.

• Vanilla Orange Candle*: 110 drops orange + 60 drops botanical vanilla extract
• Orange Cream Sickle: 70 drops orange + 50 drops botanical vanilla extract + 10 drops cedarwood
• Thyme Orange: 80 drops orange + 40 drops basil + 25 drops thyme
• Orange Blossom Candle: 75 drops orange + 45 drops ylang ylang + 25 drops lavender
• Orange Clove Candle*: drops orange + drops clove bud
• Citrus Joy:  80 drops orange + 55 drops grapefruit + 30 drops lemon
• Spiced Orange Candle*: 100 drops orange + 50 drops cinnamon bark + 30 drops clove
• Wellness Orange: 90 drops orange + 50 drops lime + 30 drops lemon eucalyptus
• Orange Delight: 100 drops orange + 35 drops star anise + 35 drops copaiba

*These orange candle scents smell festive and would be lovely for homemade holiday candles. The other blends offer a refreshing citrus smell and are appropriate for any time of the year.

Substitutes for orange essential oil

If you don’t have orange EO, you can experience a similar scent and benefits with blood orange, tangerine, and mandarin essential oil. Blood orange essential oil is the best substitute for orange.

Lemon, grapefruit, and kumquat smell sharper than orange oil. Still, you can enlist them to create amazing citrus-scented candles.

Neroli essential oil, which is steam-distilled from orange blossom, is very pricey and, in my opinion, too precious to be used in candle making.

How to make an orange candle

You can pour your own orange-scented candles in about 15 minutes! Just make sure that you allow plenty of time for the candle to set and cure before burning it.

Step 1: Prep container

Wipe your candle container with a cotton cloth to ensure it’s clean and dust-free. Using a hot glue gun, apply a drop of hot glue to the bottom of the wick tap. Then firmly press the wick in the center of the candle container to secure it in place. Set aside.

Step 2: Measure wax

Measure out the wax on scales or using measuring cups. You need 8 oz, which equals 2 and 1/2 cups.

Step 3: Melt wax

Place the soy wax into a pouring pot. Warm over low heat on the stove until the wax is fully melted.

Step 4: Scent

Take the wax off the heat once completely melted. Add the orange essential oil or oil blend and stir 30 to 40 times to bind the wax and oil together.

Step 5: Pour orange candle

Pour the melted wax into the prepared candle container. Use the wick holder to keep the wick in the center of the candle.

Step 6: Cool and cure

Allow the candle to set at room temperature. For the most potent scent, let the candle cure overnight. The essential oil and wax bind together during the curing process, and you’ll get a more even, intense scent throw.

Step 7: Light

Before lighting your DIY orange candle for the first time, trim the wick to 1/4 in / 6 mm. Place the candle on a heat-resistant surface and let it burn until the entire surface of the candle has melted.

FAQ

Why is my orange candle yellow?

The color of orange essential oil ranges from bright yellow to deep orange and sometimes even red. The color is pretty intense and can tint the soy wax in a light yellow or orange hue. This effect is natural and will be more pronounced with more orange oil.

As I’ve just mentioned, orange essential oil gives the candle a pale yellow color. Consider dying the wax with candle dye if you prefer a bold candle color. Wax dye is available in liquid or solid form. It doesn’t matter which you use; just make sure the dye is suitable for soy wax.

Can you make an orange peel candle?

Yes, you can make an orange peel candle by using an orange peel as the candle container. Follow these steps to make one:

1. Slice an orange in half.
2. Then remove the orange flesh but be careful to leave the white middle stem intact and attached.
3. Fill the orange half with vegetable oil just below the white center stem, which will act as the wick.
4. Light the center part and let burn on a heatproof surface.

Can you put orange zest into a candle?

No, I don’t recommend putting orange zest into your candle. The citrus zest doesn’t help boost the fragrance but can clog the wick and lead to soot once you burn the candle.

Can you make orange candles with orange slices?

No, avoid putting fresh or dried orange slices into your candle. The juices from fresh slices will prevent the wax from setting properly. And dried orange slices are a fire hazard as they can catch fire and burn.

Instead, decorate the outside of your candle container with dried citrus slices. Either use a piece of twine to the citrus slice to the container or hot glue it in place.

What is a candle in an orange?

A candle in an orange is called a Christingle. It comes from the German word “Christkind,” which means baby Christ. Christingles are a Christmas tradition of the Moravian church and date back to the 1700s. Today, they can be found in Moravian churches in the UK.

A Christingle is made up of:

• An orange to represent the world.
• A candle is inserted in the center of the fruit, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the World.
• Red ribbon around the orange depicts the blood of Christ.
• Skewers with dried fruits and candy are arranged around the candle, showing the fruits of the earth and the 4 seasons.

Storage instructions

How to store DIY orange candles

Store your DIY orange candle in a cool, dark place where direct sunlight can’t reach it, for example, inside a lidded box or drawer. I also like to wrap my essential oil candles in plastic wrap (cling film) to preserve the fragrance.

How long do orange candles last?

Your homemade orange citrus candle will be good for a year. Soy wax lasts 2 years+, but the lifespan of orange essential oil is limited to 1 year. Therefore, I recommend you enjoy your candle within 12 months of making.

More DIY candle recipes

Want more soy candle recipes? Pouring your own candles is an intriguing craft and a fantastic way to fill your home with natural fragrance. For more ideas and inspiration, have a look at my other candle-making tutorials:

• Stress-Relief Candle
• Lavender Candle Recipe
• Citronella Candle
• Eucalyptus Candles
• Cherry Blossom Candle
• Peony Candle
• Fresh Linen Candle