Candle making can be a fun and rewarding hobby, and when it comes to choosing the right wax for your candles, beeswax stands out as a natural and eco-friendly option. Beeswax candles not only emit a beautiful, warm glow but also offer various health benefits due to their clean-burning properties.
In this article, we’ll explore some essential tips and tricks for making beeswax candles that will help you create stunning and aromatic candles that you can enjoy or gift to your loved ones.
Here’s what’s in store:
1. Know Your Beeswax
Before diving into the candle-making process, it’s super important (and fun) to understand the properties of beeswax. Beeswax is a natural substance produced by honeybees and is renowned for its clean-burning naturem, which I’m sure you already knew…
But, did you know that beeswax emits negative ions when burned? This can actually help purify the air and reduce allergens, which makes it an excellent choice for those with sensitivities or allergies.
Plus, beeswax has antibacterial and antifungal properties – While this doesn’t have a practical application in candles, it’s a relevant piece of trivia to know.
Aside from it’s awesome functionality as a base for candles, beeswax is also used in tons of natural products like lip balms, healing salves, and moisturizers.
All-in-all, theres a lot you can do with this sweet, waxy substance. Now, let’s talk about sourcing.
2. Source the Highest Quality Wax
When it comes to making the best beeswax candles, the quality of the beeswax matters.
If you can, opt for 100% pure and natural beeswax, preferably sourced from reputable beekeepers or suppliers. Do you keep bees yourself or know someone local? When possible, get your wax from a source you can actually see, so that your know what it is you’re getting.
At all costs, you should avoid products that contain additives or fillers, as they can compromise the candle’s quality and burning characteristics. Consumers who opt for beeswax candles are typically in the market for a clean, natural product, so you should do your best to deliver.
Now, if you’re not in the business of keeping bees, and you’re ready to get the beeswax candle making show on the road, you might check out online sources. Look for labels like “organic” and “food grade” for the highest quality product.
3. Choose the Right Wick
Selecting the appropriate wick for your beeswax candles is crucial for a successful burn. Beeswax has unique burning properties, so opt for cotton or hemp wicks, as they work best with this type of wax.
Wood wicks are also a good choice and tend to burn well with beeswax candles.
Consider the candle’s size and intended use when choosing the wick’s thickness to ensure a clean and even burn.
✂️ Trimming Tip: After the candles have cooled and set, trim the wicks to a quarter-inch length above the top of the wax. Proper wick trimming promotes a cleaner burn and prevents excessive smoke.
You can save the trimmed wick remnants for fire starters or future projects. Alternatively, if you choose natural wicks, you can throw the leftovers in your compost.
4. Add Fragrance Carefully
While beeswax candles have a naturally pleasant aroma, you can enhance their scent by adding essential oils. Make sure to use high-quality, pure essential oils and avoid synthetic fragrances, as they may release harmful chemicals when burned.
If you have a thermometer, it will come in handy here, as the ideal temperature for assing fragrance to wax is at 165-185° F (75-85° C) – any hotter and you may burn out some of the smell…any lower, and the perfumes may not disperse all the way through your wax.
Experiment with different essential oil blends to create your signature scents.
Here are some tips for blending scents:
- Spicy and woody fragrances mix well with fruity and exotic floral scents.
- Avoid blending spicy and woody scents with fresh and light floral fragrances.
- Dilute essential oils with a 2-3% ratio and add carrier oil as needed.
- Add fragrance oils gradually until you achieve the desired scent.
- Combine oils in a clean glass bottle and shake well to blend.
- Use top note oils to create the first impression of your blend.
- Prolong perfume strength by layering complementary or contrasting scents.
You should also follow the correct percentage of fragrance oil for candles based on the type of wax – for beeswax, you’ll want about 1-2 oz of scent for every pound of wax.
5. Melt Your Beeswax Safely
Before you start the candle-making process, ensure you melt the beeswax safely.
Use a double boiler or a dedicated wax melting pot to prevent direct contact with heat, reducing the risk of fires or overheating the wax.
Be careful not to overfill your bowl or pot – there should be a couple inches of space between the rim of your container and the top of your wax, in case any boiling occurs.
Keep a close eye on the melting wax, and never leave it unattended.
No matter how good the wax smells, don’t eat it – essential oils and fragrances aren’t meant to be ingested (if you have small kids around, this is for them too).
6. Add Color to Your Candles
If you prefer colored candles, consider using natural dyes to avoid synthetic additives.
Beeswax has a warm, golden hue that complements most decor, but if you desire colored candles, experiment with natural options like beetroot powder, turmeric, or dried flower petals.
Sometimes, powders tend to clump when you add them to soaps and candles (this isn’t the case with most liquid food dyes, so not everyone expects it).
Fortunately, there are a couple of easy solutions:
- Sift the powder into the melted wax slowly, stirring steadily.
- Add the color powder to a carrier oil before adding to the melted wax.
- Mix the color powder with a small amount of alcohol before adding it to your candles.
I advise that you experiment with colors before you create an entire bulk batch, because you will likely need to adjust a bit to get the vibrancy you’re looking for. And, some colorants, beetroot for example, will look a lot different after they cool.
And, while experimenting, take lots of notes. Once you get the right color formula, you’ll want to remember it – this is true for fragrance as well.
7. Prepare the Molds & Jars
Prepare your candle molds before pouring the melted beeswax. Whether you’re using traditional molds or repurposing containers, ensure they are clean and dry.
Any soft cloth or paper towel should work just fine to wipe down your containers – dish soap and hot water should be good enough in most cases. If you’re trying to get rid of some hard-to-remove residue, you might try a little rubbing alcohol.
Beeswax candles can be made in tin, plastic, or silicone molds, though I would shy away from plastic, in most cases (just to be sure there’s no leeching.
Consider applying a light coat of oil to the interior of molds to make the removal process easier. If you don’t mind aerosol, I love Pompeian coconut oil spray because it smells great and goes on evenly (there will be no aerosol left on the mold once the candle is ready to burn.
Glass jars are also great, as long as you don’t need to remove the candles before burning – just be sure not to change the temperature too fast from hot to cold or vice versa, as this can cause thin glass to crack.
Get creative with your beeswax candles by customizing their shapes. You might use molds or carve intricate designs on the candles to make them stand out and add a personal touch to your creations.
8. Place Wick & Pour the Beeswax
Once the beeswax is melted and any desired fragrance or color is added, it’s time to pour it into the prepared molds.
Place the wick away from the sides of the glass or candle holder to prevent smoking and soot residue.
Pour slowly and steadily to avoid air bubbles and ensure the wax reaches all corners of the mold evenly.
Allow the beeswax to cool and set completely before attempting to remove the candles from the molds.
This process may take several hours, depending on the size of the candles and the room temperature.
Avoid rushing this step to prevent potential deformities in the finished candles → The wax should be completely cooled, all the way through before you remove your candle from the mold.
9. Test, Store, & Preserve
Before gifting or using your beeswax candles, conduct a quality control test by burning one candle for a short period. Observe the candle’s burning characteristics, such as the flame size, evenness of melting, and scent diffusion.
Make any necessary adjustments for the remaining candles.
You don’t want a beeswax candle to smole too much, as it defeats the purpose of a natural candle for most people.
Tips for proper candle burning:
- Avoid using a large wick as it may melt the wax too quickly, leading to inefficient burning and smoke.
- Be careful not to disturb the flame of any candle to prevent sooting.
- Use an appropriate wick size that matches the volume of wax or the width of the vessel to ensure even burning from edge to edge.
To maintain the quality of your beeswax candles, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures – Proper storage ensures the candles remain in optimal condition and prolongs their shelf life.
♻️If you have leftover beeswax or old beeswax candles that you no longer use, consider recycling them. You can melt down the wax and create new candles, or use beeswax in other DIY projects like making lip balms or salves.
10. Embrace Imperfections
Remember that handmade candles may have small imperfections that add to their charm and uniqueness. Embrace these imperfections, as they are a testament to the authenticity of your craft and make each candle truly one-of-a-kind.
Frequently Asked Questions
While pure beeswax is recommended for the best results, you can use blends with a high percentage of beeswax. However, keep in mind that the burning characteristics and health benefits may vary.
Excessive smoke can be caused by a wick that is too long or impurities in the beeswax. Trim the wick and ensure you are using high-quality, pure beeswax to reduce smoke.
Yes, you can collect the leftover melted beeswax and use it in your next candle-making project or for other DIY creations.
To extend the burn time of your beeswax candles, always trim the wick to a quarter-inch before each use, and keep them away from drafts to prevent uneven burning.
Beeswax candles are generally well-tolerated by individuals with allergies or asthma since they produce minimal soot and are free of harmful chemicals. However, it’s essential to ensure the person is not specifically allergic to beeswax before use.
Final Thoughts
Beeswax candle making is a rewarding craft with numerous benefits. Follow these essential tips: understand beeswax properties, source high-quality wax, choose the right wick, add fragrance carefully, melt beeswax safely, use natural dyes, prepare molds, pour wax carefully, test, store, and embrace imperfections.
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