Best Wax for Candles: Six Basic Options You Must Know

Scented candles are becoming more and more common in people’s homes. Of course, first of all, you must decide what type of wax to choose, and there are always several options. You may want to buy a pre-made product made by professional candle makers. But if you want to make your candle, the characteristics of choosing wax will be even more vital. Whether you like container candles or standing options, you can get the results only with the best wax for candles.

best wax for candles

What is the Best Wax for Candles that are Homemade? Let’s Analyze the Pros and Cons of Each Option.

A quality candle should not only scent but also retain its appearance for a long time. Natural waxing compares favorably with synthetic analogs. It melts more evenly and doesn’t emit chemicals. You can choose soy wax blend, buy gel candles or give preference for any other type of candle wax. Before making your final decision, we recommend reading the following information.

Paraffin Wax

This type of waxing is a result of the crude oil refinement process. It is a good material for many candles, particularly container candles (also used for votive candles).

Paraffin candles are found more often than other products due to their affordable price and variety of types. Thus, it is cheaper to buy such a product than analogs of palm and coconut wax.

Gel Wax

On the technical side, it’s not waxing at all. Polymer resin and mineral oil help get the perfect base. Its melting points make for free-standing candles and container candles. In the latter case, you can add small objects to the transparent base for additional decoration.

best wax for candles

Coconut Wax

If you are interested in natural products, coconut wax is perfect (it is much cleaner than paraffin wax). Many candle makers appreciate the product for its naturalness and intense smell. Coconut candles are another eco-friendly option. They contain no polymer resin impurities (candle brands don’t matter).

best wax for candles

Soy Wax

If you are only considering natural waxes, this is a good solution. Soy wax candles or soy wax blends are like people who care about the environment. The product is made from soybeans and is biodegradable.

best wax for candles

Palm Wax

Good choice for pillar candles. Recently palm wax has become as popular as soy wax. It’s the right decision for candle-making of all kinds, including options in glass containers. We can consider that one of best wax for candles is palm wax too.

Beeswax is the best wax for candles

Among the different types of candle wax, this option is one of the best. The most natural candles create from 100% beeswax. Essentially, you need the honeycomb in which kept honey. After melting them, you will get great material. It can be mixed with other candle waxes if that need.

Interesting fact! It is impossible to get two identical beeswax candles. Their subtle honey scent will always be different. It depends on the type of flowers from which the bees gather the honey. Particles of this honey will always remain in the wax even after you decide to melt it.

How to Make Beeswax Candles

Creating candles from this product is easy enough, but only if you know some peculiarities of this process. This eco-friendly material requires a high melting point, so don’t leave much time for the form candle.

beeswax

Beeswax makes great rustic candles: their delicate honey scent will not leave anyone indifferent. To make the item you need:

• wax plates;
• a cotton wick;
• a tool to center the wick;
• metal molds and a pitcher for pouring the wax;
• a meat thermometer;
• glue gun with interchangeable rods.

The process of making this eco-friendly candle involves the following steps.

1. First, you need to melt the waxing in a water bath (on average, you get 2.5 cups of melted wax from 5 cups of pastilles).
2. Add the fragrance oil and mix it well with the wax (you can use palm oil for a better aroma).
3. Apply a drop of glue to one side of the wick and secure it to the bottom of the candle jar.
4. Place a fixture to center the wick.
5. Pour the slightly cooled wax into the mold (it should reach a high melting point). Leave 3/4 inch to the top edge of the jar.

After the candle in the jar has cooled, melt the waxing again. Pour it into the jars, filling them. When the wax has cooled, trim the wick with sharp scissors and leave the candle for another two weeks. This candle-making doesn’t take long. You don’t have to be afraid of working with the most common candle wax.

Yellow vs. White Beeswax

Considering the different types of best candle wax, pay attention to the bee product. It can be either white or yellow, but in any case, each variant undergoes a cleaning procedure.

Yellow beeswax is considered the most natural, and aromatic oil doesn’t often add to it. If you are interested in candles of brighter colors, it is worth buying white waxing.

Scent Throw

When making candles, there are several terms regarding their scent that you are sure to encounter.

Cold Throw

Even an unlit candle exudes aroma. How strong it will be depends on the amount of scented oil added.

Hot Throw

When the candle wax melts, it smells better. The melting points of different types of candle wax are various, but paraffin waxing releases the scent the fastest. If you use a wax blend, you will soon determine the best melting point for you.

Is it worth mixing several types of wax when making scented candles?

You can combine different types of natural wax. It will help you get a quality product with unique characteristics (much better than ordinary paraffin wax for candle making).

You can create a long-burning candle or get a good-scented product. So, a slow flame and a great aroma are characteristic mixes of soy wax and paraffin wax.

It is also easy to mix natural materials. Try combining beeswax, palm wax, coconat was or other materials (vegetable wax) as you create your candle. The finished candle may have a strong scent throw and a beautiful texture.

When mixing different candle wax types, ensure they have the same melting points. It will help prevent uneven burning and crackling of the candle.

Which candle wax lasts the longest?

If you want to enjoy the pleasant aroma and measured burning for a long time, buy beeswax or soy wax. Unlike paraffin counterparts, soy candles will last twice as long. Of course, you should consider the type of wick, the jar’s material, and the conditions in the premise. Metal jars get hotter, and the melting process is faster.

Is candle wax eco-friendly?

Natural products (e.g., beeswax, soy wax, or coconut wax candles) may consider environmentally friendly. Paraffin or gel waxes contain more chemical compounds, depending on the nature of the additives you use in the candle-making process. However, no matter how natural your candles are, you should not use them continuously.

What waxing to avoid in candles?

Some people think that all candle waxes pollute the air. Your goal is to avoid products that contain chemicals. These are primarily petroleum by-products used for paraffin and gel products. Aromatic hydrocarbons and highly volatile substances enter the air in large quantities.

What type of wax is best for candles?

Choosing the best type of candle wax for making homemade candles, try deciding what you want to get out of it. If the priority is an attractive appearance, low cost, and the possibility of using various aromatic additives — you can buy paraffin waxing. If you’re interested in natural wax with a light honey aroma, a bee product is just what you need. Soy wax, palm, or rapeseed wax would also be helpful for you.