DIY Guide: How to Make Incense Sticks at Home

Creating your own incense sticks at home is a rewarding and aromatic craft that allows you to customize scents to suit your preferences. Not only is it a fun and creative activity, but once you’ve made your first batch, the process becomes even easier for future attempts. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to make a 20-stick batch of incense sticks, complete with tips and detailed instructions to ensure success.

Supplies You’ll Need

Before diving into the process, gather the following supplies for a 20-stick batch:

  • 20 incense sticks (11 inches long)

  • 12 ml Refresher Oil Base or DPG (Dipropylene Glycol): This acts as a carrier oil to help the fragrance adhere to the sticks.

  • 6 ml Fragrance Oil: Choose your favorite scent or experiment with blends.

  • 1 Glass Test Tube (25 x 250 mm, approximately 10 inches tall): This will hold the oil mixture.

  • 2 Disposable Pipettes: For precise measurement and transfer of oils.

  • Permanent Marker: Optional but helpful for marking measurements on the test tube for future use.

  • Holder or Stand: To keep the test tube upright during the soaking process.

  • Drying Rack: For drying the incense sticks after soaking.

Step 1: Prepare the test tube

Start with a clean, dry test tube. Using a pipette, carefully add 12 ml of Refresher Oil Base to the tube. To save time on future batches, use a permanent marker to note the 12 ml level on the test tube. This way, you won’t need to measure again for subsequent batches.

Step 2: Add fragrance oil

Next, add 6 ml of your chosen fragrance oil to the Refresher Oil Base. A 50/50 blend of carrier oil to fragrance oil is a great starting point for testing scents. Feel free to adjust the ratio in future batches to create stronger or subtler aromas.

Step 3: Mix the oils

Once both oils are in the test tube, mix them thoroughly. Simply place your thumb over the top of the tube and gently shake it to combine the oils. Ensure the mixture is well-blended to guarantee an even distribution of fragrance on the incense sticks.

Step 4: Soak the incense sticks

Carefully place the incense sticks into the test tube, ensuring they are submerged in the oil mixture. The sticks only need to be covered to the first quarter of their length, as the mixture will gradually soak upward over the next few days. This slow absorption ensures the fragrance is evenly distributed throughout the stick.

Step 5: Let the sticks soak

Find a safe, undisturbed place to store the test tube for approximately three days. A test tube rack, a small box, or a basket can work well to keep the tube upright. Avoid moving or disturbing the setup during this time to allow the sticks to soak properly.

Step 6: Check and dry the sticks

After three days, check the incense sticks to ensure they are fully soaked. If the oil hasn’t reached the bottom of the sticks, allow them more time to absorb the mixture. Once fully soaked, remove the sticks from the test tube and place them on a drying rack. To test for dryness, gently run a stick over a paper towel. If no oil residue is left behind, the sticks are ready to use.

Tips to succeed

  • Experiment with scents: Don’t be afraid to mix different fragrance oils to create unique blends.
  • Label your batches: If you make multiple batches, label them with the scent and date for easy reference.
  • Store properly: Keep your finished incense sticks in a cool, dry place to preserve their fragrance.

Conclusion

Making incense sticks at home is a simple yet satisfying process that allows you to craft personalized scents for your home, meditation space, or gifts. With just a few supplies and a bit of patience, you can create high-quality incense sticks that rival store-bought options. Once you’ve mastered the basics, the possibilities for customization are endless. Happy crafting!

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