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My Reward PointsCandle Making is a popular activity that DIYers have taken to the level of an art form. They make pillars, votives, tea lights, and tarts, as well as container candles encased in lovely containers, using various waxes and methods. DIY candles make lovely gifts for friends and family and add warmth and a pleasant aroma to the home.
Different waxes have diverse properties that make them suited for different candle-making applications. Continue reading to find out more about soy wax, beeswax, and paraffin wax. Discover the benefits and drawbacks of each and their specific applications in candle production. Then, choose the best candle waxes for your upcoming job.
Choosing Candle Wax Types for Candle Making
Various types of wax have properties useful for making a range of candle varieties. Candle waxes differ in composition and function depending on their natural or synthetic sources, degrees of hardness, melting temperature points, and scent-holding properties.
Consider the type of candle, the type of wax, and its usefulness, burning time, and ability to emit aromatherapy fragrances when choosing the best candle wax for your projects. Here is the rundown of the three most popular waxes that are available in the market:
1. Semi Refined Paraffin Wax: The most popular candle wax is semi-refined paraffin wax. This wax has several advantages, making it a dependable candle wax. For example, paraffin wax can store a lot of fragrance, allowing it to cast stronger aromas and spread them further throughout a room.
Another advantage of paraffin is that it is available in a variety of grades based on its melting point and oil concentration. This means it may be shaped into everything from enormous pillar candles to long, narrow tapered candles to little origami-sized creatures. Pouring paraffin wax into tins or glass containers is another option.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most affordable option | Derived from fossil fuels (less sustainable) |
| Provides a clean and even burn | Low melting point, may lose form in heat |
| Strong fragrance throw | - |
2. Soy Wax Flakes: Soy wax has a thicker and smaller crystal structure, making it softer and more malleable. Finally, this provides significant benefits like a greater melting point and a slower burn period. Soy wax flakes can burn up to 50% longer than paraffin, depending on conditions such as candle size, wick height, and so on.
Soy wax is also healthier since it produces less smoke and contains fewer pollutants. Soy wax is a byproduct of soybeans, making it a more natural wax substitute. So, when you burn a soy wax candle, you can relax knowing that it is healthier for the indoor air quality of your house, keeping your family and pets safe. Not to mention that it is simply better for the environment.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Made from a renewable resource (soybeans) | Costs higher compared to paraffin wax |
| Provides a clean burn with less soot and smoke | Has a soft texture prone to bending |
| Burns longer than paraffin wax | - |
| Easily biodegradable and breaks down into nature | - |
3. Yellow Beeswax Sheets or Pallets: Another form of candle wax that has been present for thousands of years, going all the way back to the Egyptian era, is beeswax. Beeswax, like soy wax, is environmentally safe and long-lasting. A beeswax candle, derived from bees and their honeycomb colonies, even emits a tint of sweetness into the air.
In addition, unlike paraffin, beeswax emits ions that are supposed to filter the air. Yellow Beeswax Pellets also has a strong wax consistency, making it ideal for molding pillar candles. Because it is both flexible and simple to mold, this type of beeswax may be used to manufacture candles in a variety of colors and forms. When used in an unscented candle, beeswax performs admirably.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 100% natural product derived from bees | Costliest option available in the market |
| Popular for its longer burn time | Harder to work with and can easily break |
| Has a natural honey scent | Requires expertise to work with |
What Type of Candle Wax Should You Use?
With so many options, choosing the best candle wax may appear to be a difficult task. The numerous uses for manufacturing various sorts of candles and sourcing, smell throw, melting points, and burning time are all considered. These high-quality waxes are manufactured by respected companies and produce high-quality results for candlemakers. Consider the following factors before finalizing one:
1. Scent Throw
Paraffin waxes are now believed to be the finest for generating a strong scent, which is why many high-end manufacturers continue to use paraffin wax in their candles. While paraffin wax reigned supreme for the preceding decade or so, developing natural waxes such as soy and beeswax are improving year after year and are prepared to take over in the near future.
They are allowing candles to 'cure' or 'rest' for two weeks after manufacture allows the aroma to connect with any type of candle wax thoroughly. The stronger the connection between the fragrance and the wax, the greater the smell.
2. Health
Soy wax, beeswax, and palm wax are the safest alternatives for candle production when used in their purest form. Soy wax and beeswax candles with 100 percent cotton wicks and all-natural aroma oils give peace of mind for individuals seeking a non-toxic, non-polluting interior atmosphere. Because they are drawn from natural resources, this is the case.
On the other hand, paraffin wax is a synthetic or petroleum-based wax that can cause respiratory irritation when applied in a stuffy setting. In addition, aside from VOCs, paraffin wax emits unattractive soot.
3. Burning Time
Beeswax candles have the longest burn time of any natural wax candle. Plant-based soy waxes burn for a medium amount of time and are less costly than beeswax. Although it is the least costly wax for candles, paraffin, created as a byproduct of crude oil processing, has the lowest burning period.
A greater melting point corresponds to a long burning period for different types of candle wax. For example, beeswax has a burning temperature of 149 degrees Fahrenheit, while soy wax has a burning temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, Paraffin has a burning temperature of only 99 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Toxic
Soy wax and beeswax are excellent choices for non-toxic candles since they are sourced organically from the environment. These waxes are also devoid of petrochemicals, synthetics, and synthetic colors or colorants. They also don't contain heavy metals or toxins like phthalates and parabens.
Because paraffin wax is a petrochemical waste, it contains hazardous components that can harm one's health. In addition, because it is obtained from refining petroleum, it is frequently polluted with cancer-causing chemicals.
Conclusion
There is a lot of conflicting information concerning candle waxes, making it difficult to know what to believe. That is why, at VedaOils, we have dug into the three greatest candle waxes: Soy wax, Paraffin wax, and Beeswax to distinguish transparency, quality, and sustainability from marketing hype.
So, if you're seeking to buy candle wax, remember to consider the factors given above to choose the most suitable candle as per your requirement and needs. And, as with most things, candles are probably best enjoyed in moderation – and always in well-ventilated areas.
