How to make natural candles: choosing the best wax for making candles at home
There are several natural waxes to choose from for your homemade candle.
While paraffin may be natural in the sense that it is a petroleum based wax, it has been shown to be not as healthy and does not burn cleanly, so I think we can remove this wax.
The healthiest natural candle waxes are palm, beeswax and soy and ghee.
Let’s look at some pros and cons of each of these waxes.
Palm in made from the wax of the berry of the palm tree. It is white, all natural, renewable and clean burning.
Palm wax has a unique crystalline structure that is very attractive.
It can contain a very high odor load. Some palm waxes can contain up to twice the scent of paraffin or soy wax.
Palm wax comes in a granular form, is very easy to work with, and builds up evenly when lit. It requires no additives and cleans up easily with warm, soapy water.
Palm Wax Cons; the cost of palm wax is a little more than soy wax.
Returning to the manufacture of soy candles, this wax also has many advantages. It burns long, cool and clean.
Here is a list of advantages one manufacturer gives over their soy wax:
o Made with pure soy, 100% natural
o Longer, cooler and cleaner burning without soot buildup
o Made in the USA with domestically grown crops
o Produced that does NOT contain genetically modified material
o Manufactured in compliance with FDA and Kosher standards
o Easy to clean with hot soapy water removing solvents
o Sustainable renewable resources that require plant growth
o Biodegradable and free of pesticides and herbicides
o Very stable allowing a long service life
o Not subject to animal testing
Cons of soy candles:
Some manufacturers claim that soy candles are made without genetically modified material. For most soy waxes, this is only true because after processing there is no DNA left in the wax to test whether or not the soybeans used were GMO. In the United States in 2002, 98% of the soybean crop was either genetically modified (GMO) or non-GMO mixed with GMO soybeans. The only reliable source of non-GMO soybeans are Identity Canned or Certified Organic, these are very few. This means that buying soy wax that is not Identity Preserved or certified organic is supporting the biotech industry. In my opinion, this is a disadvantage of soy wax. I also believe that soy candles made with GM soybeans can’t really be called “natural” since their DNA was humanely modified, the fact that the DNA was removed later doesn’t negate that.
Now let’s take a look at beeswax that has been used for candles since ancient times.
It burns slow and clean and has its own sweet fragrance.
Gives more light and heat than other waxes and practically drips less.
Beeswax is the only fuel that emits negative ions when burned and this process cleanses the air of positive ions such as dust, odors, toxins, pollen, mold, mite feces and viruses.
Light a beeswax candle inspired by a spiritual feeling; they have traditionally been the candles of choice in many churches.
Using a sheet of beeswax and rolling it up with a wick inside is such a simple way to start making candles, all you need is a pair of scissors. Making beeswax candles out of sheets is child’s play.
Poured beeswax candles are just as easy to make as candles made with other waxes.
One downside to beeswax is that the price is significantly higher than other waxes, but this is balanced by the quality of burning slower and lasting longer than other waxes. Beeswax can be added to other waxes to increase their burn time. Beeswax candles have their own natural sweet fragrance that only some scents blend very well with. Beeswax can be purchased in yellow or white. Some of the white beeswax may have been bleached and chemicals added, best check with supplier.
Bayberry wax is a greenish, aromatic vegetable wax that is removed from the surface of the Bayberry by boiling the berries in water and skimming the wax off the surface. Burning a Bayberry candle to the knot during the holidays is a 300-year-old tradition that is supposed to bring good luck in the coming year. Bayberry wax is recommended only for making dipped candles and may not burn well as votives, tealights, or pillar candles.
Bayberry wax costs about 4 times more than beeswax. It takes 15 pounds of Bayberries to make one pound of wax. It has a warm, earthy fragrance reminiscent of freshly cut hay, and dries to a beautiful olive-green color. A small amount can be added to other waxes to make them harder and to impart their green color. This is a pro as there are no other natural candle dyes besides the yellow from beeswax. All natural candles, that is, all-natural candles, are white unless beeswax or bayberry wax has been added to them.
Ghee lamps have been traditionally used by Sikhs and Hindus for thousands of years as a spiritual practice. Turning on the light dispels the darkness and brings comfort, hope and peace. Lighting a light with cow ghee specifically is said to ensure heavenly radiance and bliss, prosperity, health and happiness.
Ghee is made from unsalted clarified butter. It is easy to make yourself at home or can be purchased at the supermarket. Organic ghee is available. Once one learns how to make a container candle, one can make a ghee candle. Securing the wick in the middle of the container without glue does the trick. Traditionally the ghee container is earthenware, silver, gold or brass, never stainless steel. The wick is traditionally placed in the bottom of the bowl and rests on the side of the lamp rather than standing directly in the middle. I bought a ghee candle made in a small glass jar with a lid that has a central wick and it works well. I would be very careful when resting the wick on the side of a glass container. Ghee is very soft at room temperature and a liquid when heated, so it needs a container. My ghee candle burns with no ghee smell and it gives a very sweet feeling. Now that I know how to wick the jar, I can keep upgrading the candle by adding ghee and wicks or I can make a much larger one that burns longer for the same price as the candle I bought in my little shop.
Whatever material you use for your candle, don’t let having to decide which wax to hold you back from making one! Choose a wax and make a candle, it’s fun, it can save you money and using the candles brings happiness.