DIY Orange Peel Candles

These DIY orange peel candles are easy to create. They are perfect for adding a little natural beauty to your decor. You can even use a little essential oil to add extra fragrance.

Homemade scented candles with essential oils are so easy to make. They smell wonderful and don't cost a lot to make. I've made many as gifts or favors, with small tins.

For something a little different, I tried using orange rinds to create natural candles for our dining table. I really love the bright fresh, natural look, and the smell of citrus, so I thought these would be perfect for a bit of fragrant decor.

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Homemade Citrus Candle Supplies

Orange rinds - 4 from two large oranges cut in half.
Candle wax - 1/2 pound for the four candles or approx. 2 oz for each candle (I prefer soy wax because it burns cleaner)
Candle wicks
Straws - to hold the wick
Essential Oils - 1 tablespoon -  I used a combination of sweet orange, lemon, and bergamot

How to Make an Orange Peel Candle

Slice the oranges in half and carefully peel away all of the fruit from the rind.

Melt the wax. I have a candle pitcher that I place in a saucepan of simmering water to melt the wax, but you can use an empty coffee can or juice can instead. I've also read that some people use the microwave but I haven't tried that process.

Once melted, let the wax cool slightly, for just a minute or two before adding the essential oils. Stir well.

Pour the wax into the empty rinds with a wick. Use a straw to hold the wick in place, by cutting a small slit in the middle of the straw. Then set the straw across the top of the orange rind and nestle the wick into the slit. You could also use plastic chopsticks or try long clothespins instead of a straw.

Once the wax hardens, discard the straw and clip the wick down to about 1/2 inch.

Don't they look pretty on the table with just a few flowers and a simple bouquet?

How Long Will These Candles Burn?

They should burn for about 8 -10 hours depending on how high you fill them. Certainly enough time to last for the evening. You could blow them out and re-use them during the week but the rinds will eventually break down and start to deteriorate.

There's something about the beauty of nature that I really love and I plan to try this idea again with other produce or natural elements. I'm thinking, other types of citrus, coconuts, or maybe something in the gourd family.

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DIY Candles - Easily Made from Orange Peels

Add a little natural beauty to your home with these DIY candles made from orange peels. They are so easy and inexpensive to make!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Active Time15 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Crafts

Yield: 4 Candles

Author: Patti Estep

Cost: $5-$10

Equipment

• Candle Pitcher or Old coffee can

Materials

• Orange rinds
• Candle wax
• Candle wicks
• Straws
• Essential Oils

Instructions

• Slice the oranges in half.
• Peel away all of the fruit from the rind.
• Melt the wax.
• Once melted, let the wax cool slightly.
• Add the essential oils.
• Stir well.
• Pour the wax into the empty rinds with a wick.
• Use a straw to hold the wick in place, by cutting a small slit in the middle of the straw.
• Set the straw across the top of the orange rind and nestle the wick into the slit.
• Let harden.
• Trim the wick.

Notes

You can use regular wicking without tabs for the candles.

You can use long clothes pins or plastic chopsticks to hold the wick in place.