Did you ever wonder how to make organic candles? Many people did and for various reasons. One of them is the price because homemade candles cost less compared to the ones you get at the store.
The second, and quite an obvious one, is the quality of many candles sold at stores. After some time, they get sootier after burning. This chemical reaction happens because of paraffin wax. The candle-making process includes getting paraffin wax from petroleum waste. As the word itself implies, it is not a healthy choice.
Luckily, there is a solution to this issue, and that is beeswax. It is a completely natural ingredient we get from bees. If you want to create organic candles, you need to remove unnatural ingredients, especially those that are hazardous to human health.
Paraffin Candle Wax
As paraffin wax burns, it releases toxic substances that are quite bad for your health. In rare cases, it can even cause cancer. Although these cases are rare, there are other, less dangerous ways paraffin is detrimental to human health. If anyone in your household has asthma, paraffin must be crossed, because it can activate asthma very quickly.
Children and pets are also prone to developing problems due to paraffin exposure. If your goal is to prevent these issues, then you should switch to organic candles.
Beeswax for candle making
Beeswax is an appropriate solution because we are getting it from bees. People use beeswax for different purposes since it can serve as a container-base, lubricant, or as a material for candle-making and cosmetic preparations.
Due to the fact that we get beeswax in a natural way, the health of an individual is not compromised in any way. When burning, beeswax candles don’t release toxic residue, and they have much less soot, compared to paraffin-based candles. Furthermore, the natural substances of beeswax will create a positive and soothing environment with pleasant fragrances.
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Where to buy Beeswax for candle making
Now when we know everything we need to know about Beeswax, you may wonder:
Where to buy it?
Unless you are in the beeswax business already or have beehives, you need a place to buy this type of wax. Although you can go to a local store, the best bet is to buy beeswax from Amazon. The reason is that it comes in small packages and you save yourself the trouble of walking or driving because of it.
The second, more crucial reason is that you can choose from many different sellers, with various customer-support benefits and you can read reviews of products before you decide on the purchase.
Cotton Candle Wick vs. Wick with Metals
One safety tip relates to the process of candle making and materials that are being used. There are some candle manufacturers that still use wicks with metal inside of them. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission declared a ban on lead-scoring wicks in April 2003.
Unfortunately, there are many “generic” candles you can get at a cheap price, and they come from countries with less strict regulations. With that in mind, always read the declaration before making a purchase because it will help you avoid products that shouldn’t be on shelves in the first place.
What’s the replacement for lead-core wick?
The alternative is a wick made out of cotton. It offers better burn-time autonomy and doesn’t negatively impact your health. I also like ordering cotton wicks from Amazon, usually in bundles or packs, because it doesn’t cost much.
Recipe How to Make Organic Candles
Now that we have covered bases of beeswax and cotton wicks, it is time to learn how to make organic candles. Before you start, you should get the essential oil you like the most, because it will provide you with a pleasant scent and a sense of calmness. Also, you should get a jar, preferably a glass jar.
- Step 1. Use the wax warmer to warm the beeswax (or an alternative method if you don’t have access to the warmer). At this point, you need to be careful, because you shouldn’t burn all your wax. If you are just beginning to learn the process, get a stainless steel bowl for practice purposes.
- Step 2. You should add essential oil to the beeswax and mix it until it blends. You should use 25 drops of oil per ounce of wax. Once you are more versed in the process, you can experiment more. If you are not a fan of the honey scent, you can use more oil (and vice versa). My recommendation is to get completely natural oil without extra chemicals and additives. For reference, I like using aromatherapy and organic essential oils.
- Step 3. Once you melt and mix everything, it is time for a cotton wick to take place. You should place it at the bottom of the glass jar. If it refuses to stand still, use double-sided tape to stick it to the bottom. You can use a larger wick, but it will depend on the size of the jar and the amount of wax used. If you are afraid of destroying the candle wick, add everything else into the jar, and then you can add the wick. You will save it from getting destroyed by melted wax.
- Step 4. The last step is adding the melted mix of beeswax and essential oils into the glass jar. After that, you should wait for it to harden. The rule of thumb is to use the room temperature and wait approximately six hours. Try to be careful when adding the wax, so it doesn’t go the sides of the jar. If you follow that procedure, the end result will look more beautiful and cleaner. The last thing you can do is to light the wick and enjoy your completely homemade organic candle.
Summary
As you saw in the article outlined above, it is not difficult to learn how to make organic candles. Although you need to have patience and make an investment in certain ingredients, it can pay off in the long run. Furthermore, beeswax candles can significantly improve your health. If you like cooking, you can use candles while you are cooking. Even better, after a hard day, they can help you to unwind while taking a long bath.
They can also represent a great gift because there are not many better gifts than a homemade candle that someone created especially for you. Make sure to follow the tips given in the article and you are on a good way to becoming a candle-making master!
