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Maybe you started making candles in your kitchen as a hobby, experimenting with scents, colours, and sparkles, and found yourself thinking, “I wonder how much can you earn selling candles or wax melts if I took this to the next step?” We totally get it — candle and wax melt making is such a wonderful, creative process, and there’s something truly satisfying about seeing your creations come to life.
The UK candle and wax melt market has grown steadily over the last few years, driven by interest in home fragrance, self-care, and handmade products. Whether you’re thinking of starting a side hustle or a full-time business, understanding how much you can earn selling candles or wax melts, your costs, and potential profit margins is essential. In this guide, we break it all down so you can make informed decisions — and enjoy every step of the journey.
Factors That Affect How Much Can You Earn Selling Candles or Wax Melts
Several variables determine how much you can earn selling candles or wax melts. How much you earn will depend heavily on whether you are selling a few candles each week as a hobby or producing larger volumes for online shops and markets. Here are the key factors to consider:
1. Product Type and Pricing
Candles and wax melts come in a range of sizes, scents, and styles. Your pricing will influence your profits directly.
| Product Type | Typical UK Retail Price | Approx. Material Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Soy Candle (100g) | £8–£12 | £2–£3 | Popular for gift sets |
| Medium Soy Candle (200g) | £12–£18 | £4–£5 | Best seller size |
| Luxury Candle (Glass Jar, 250–300g) | £18–£30+ | £5–£8 | Premium scents & packaging |
| Wax Melts (Pack of 6) | £2–£6+ | £1–£2 | Good for repeat sales |
| Luxury Wax Melts (Scented/Handmade) | £4–£8 | £2–£3 | Giftable items |
Your profit depends on both material costs and how much customers are willing to pay for added value, such as packaging, custom scents, or unique designs.
2. Scale of Production
Small-scale / Side Hustle: Selling 20–30 candles per month online or at local markets.
Medium-scale: 100–200 candles or wax melts per month through Etsy, Shopify, or craft fairs.
Full-time / Growing Brand: Producing 500+ items per month with regular wholesale or subscription customers.
3. Sales Channels
Where you sell plays a big role in how much you earn selling candles or wax melts.
Online Marketplaces (Etsy, Folksy, eBay): Fees 5–15%, good for global reach.
Own Website / Shopify: Lower fees but requires marketing effort.
Local Markets / Craft Fairs: Higher margin per item, but time and travel costs must be considered.
Wholesale / B2B: Lower per-unit profit but larger, consistent orders.
Average Earnings for Candle and Wax Melt Sellers in the UK
| Seller Type | Units Sold per Month | Average Retail Price | Revenue | Estimated Profit (after materials & fees) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobbyist / Side Hustle | 20–30 | £7–£10 | £140–£300 | £70–£120 |
| Small Business | 100 | £10–£12 | £1,000–£1,200 | £500–£700 |
| Established Business | 300 | £12–£15 | £3,600–£4,500 | £1,800–£2,400 |
| Full-Time / Growing Brand | 500+ | £15+ | £7,500+ | £3,500–£5,000+ |
These figures are estimates and can vary depending on packaging, marketing costs, and the type of wax and fragrance oils used.
Costs to Consider Before Starting Earning Candles or Wax Melts
Initial Start-Up Costs
Wax (soy, paraffin, beeswax) – £50–£100 for small batches
Fragrance oils – £30–£100 depending on scent range
Wicks, dyes, containers – £50–£150
Equipment (double boiler, scales, pouring pitchers) – £50–£100
Branding & packaging – £50–£200
CLP labelling – £30–£100 per product line (required for candles/wax melts; can be DIY or professionally printed)
Business insurance – £50–£200 depending on coverage type (recommended for liability protection)
Ongoing Monthly Costs
Wax and fragrance replenishment – £50–£200
Packaging – £30–£100
Shipping / postage – £20–£100 depending on volume
Marketplace fees – 5–15% per sale
Marketing / social media ads – optional £50–£200
Insurance renewal – typically annual but should be factored into monthly budgeting
Including CLP labelling and insurance ensures your business is legally compliant and protected, helping you avoid fines or liability issues while selling in the UK.
Know more about CLP labelling on CLP Labels for Candles & Wax Melts: A Complete Guide.
Tips to Maximise Earnings
Upsell & Bundle Products
Offer gift sets (candle + wax melts) at a higher price point.
Create limited-edition or seasonal scents for special occasions like Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
Diversify Sales Channels
Combine online sales, local markets, and wholesale.
Consider subscription boxes for recurring monthly revenue.
Reduce Material Costs Without Sacrificing Quality
Buy wax, fragrance oils, and jars in bulk — learn more about the benefits of buying wax in bulk for candles and wax melts in this blog.
Optimise packaging to balance cost and aesthetics.
Build a Strong Brand
Attractive packaging and consistent social media presence can justify higher prices.
Professional photos and lifestyle shots increase perceived value.
Monitor Trends
UK consumers love eco-friendly, vegan, or luxury scented products. Lucky you — House of Scent offers vegan-friendly fragrance oils here and vegan-friendly waxes here.
Seasonal trends can spike sales: candles and wax melts are especially popular around Christmas, Easter, and Valentine’s Day.
Don’t forget to check out our Christmas Collection 🎁✨ and Valentines Collection.
Christmas Fragrance Oil Collection x 50g
£45.29
£53.55
This magical collection includes all 9 of our brand-new Christmas scents in 50g variants. 💖 Pink Sugar⛸ Gliding on Ice🎄 Twinkling Tree🥂 Festive Fizz & Praline🍮 Christmas Pudding🏔 Cosy Cabin🍊 Frosted Citrus Forest🌙 Christmas Eve❄ Winter Wonderland… read more
FAQs About Earning from Candles and Wax Melts
Q1: Can I make a full-time income selling candles or wax melts?
Yes, many UK sellers earn selling candles or wax melts at a full-time level, but it requires volume, strong marketing, and consistent sales. Hobbyists usually earn part-time profits.
Q2: How fast can I start earning money?
You can start selling almost immediately online or at local markets. Small profits may appear in the first month, but full-time income takes consistent effort over several months.
Q3: Do I need a license to sell candles or wax melts in the UK?
You do not need a license to sell candles and wax melts, but if your products touch the skin (like massage candles or bath melts), a Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) is legally required. You also need CLP-compliant labels, which you can create yourself or order professionally. Business insurance is highly recommended for liability protection.
Conclusion
So, how much can you earn selling candles or wax melts? The answer depends on your scale, pricing, marketing, and sales channels. Hobbyists can earn £70–£120 per month, while established UK sellers can make £1,500–£5,000+ monthly with full-time effort and the right strategies.
But it’s not just about the numbers — many makers genuinely enjoy the process. From mixing colours and adding sparkles to gift boxing and preparing for craft fairs, every step can be a creative pleasure. Seeing your finished products and the delight they bring to others makes the effort truly worthwhile.
By understanding costs, pricing smartly, diversifying sales channels, and creating a strong brand — while ensuring legal compliance with CLP labelling, CPSR (only required for products that come into contact with the skin), and insurance — your candle or wax melt business can be both profitable and a joy to run.
Pro Tip: Track every cost, test your products thoroughly, and always focus on unique scents and packaging. This will maximise your earnings and help your small business thrive.
Start creating today with our fragrance oils and waxes! Explore Products
Disclaimer
The information in this blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only, based on our knowledge, research, and experience at the time of writing. While we aim to offer accurate guidance on starting and running a candle or wax melt business, readers should conduct their own research and verify all information independently before making business or financial decisions. It is the reader’s responsibility to ensure product safety, test recipes thoroughly, and comply with all relevant regulations, including Cosmetic Product Safety Reports (CPSR) for skin-contact products, IFRA guidelines for fragrance usage, CLP labelling requirements (which can be DIY or professionally printed), and maintaining appropriate business insurance. House of Scent accepts no liability for any losses, damages, or actions taken based on the content of this blog.
FAQs
Do I need any legal compliance or insurance to sell candles and wax melts in the UK?
Yes. Candles and wax melts must comply with CLP labelling regulations, and CPSR is only required for products that come into contact with the skin. It’s highly recommended to have business insurance to protect yourself, especially if you sell at craft fairs or online.
You can know more about CLP labelling on CLP Labels for Candles & Wax Melts: A Complete Guide
Can I test fragrance oils before committing to large quantities?
Absolutely! If you want to test scents first, House of Scent offers 10g samples with a money-back guarantee. This way, you can experiment with fragrances and see which ones work best for your candles or wax melts before placing a larger order.
Where can I get support and advice from other candle and wax melt makers?
Joining a community can make a huge difference! House of Scent has a Facebook group filled with such supportive and beautiful people, where you can connect with other makers, share tips, get inspiration, and receive support from our team. It’s a great way to learn, troubleshoot, and grow your business alongside like-minded people.
