The benefits of pure Beeswax Candles are numerous and include:
1.) Healthier Indoor Air Quality: Beeswax candles release negative ions that bind to airborne particles like dust, pollen, and mold, helping to purify the air, making them ideal for those with allergies or asthma.
2.) Non-toxic: Beeswax candles are completely natural and non-toxic, unlike paraffin candles, which release harmful chemicals like benzene and toluene.
3.) Longer Burn Time: Due to its higher melting point, beeswax burns slower than other types of wax, offering a longer-lasting candle, which is more cost-effective over time.
4.) No Soot Production: Beeswax candles burn cleanly and do not produce soot, preventing air pollution and keeping your walls and furniture clean.
5.) Natural Honey Scent: Beeswax emits a mild, sweet honey fragrance, which adds a calming ambiance without the need for added synthetic fragrances.
6.) Closest to Natural Sunlight: The bright, warm light from beeswax candles is closest in color to natural sunlight, reducing eye strain and creating a soothing environment.
7.) Environmentally Friendly: Beeswax is a renewable, biodegradable resource with minimal processing, making beeswax candles an eco-friendly option compared to paraffin and soy candles.
8.) Supports Beekeeping: Purchasing beeswax candles helps sustain beekeeping, which is crucial for the pollination of many crops and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
9.) Stress Relief: The negative ions released by beeswax candles are thought to reduce stress and improve mood, contributing to a more serene atmosphere.
10.) Sustainable and Renewable Resource: Beeswax is naturally produced by bees, making it a sustainable option as long as healthy bee populations are maintained.
Picture this…there’s nothing cozier than the warm glow of a candle made from one of the most natural substances known to humans. Beeswax candles not only light up your space but also create a calming ambiance with their gentle, natural honey scent.
After all, even the ancient Egyptians swore by them, using beeswax not just to purify the air but also in rituals to help their loved ones cross into the afterlife!
Beeswax Candles Compared to Other Wax Candles
When it comes to choosing candles, you’ve likely come across various waxes with paraffin, soy, coconut, and beeswax being the most common. Each has its pros and cons, but let’s take a closer look at what sets them apart from one another and why we always recommend using a natural Beeswax candle
Paraffin Wax Candles
This is the most common type you’ll find in stores. It’s affordable and holds fragrance well, making it a popular choice. However, paraffin is derived from petroleum by-products, and when burned, it releases chemicals into the air that aren’t great for your health. These chemicals can contribute to indoor air pollution and may trigger allergies, headaches, or even respiratory issues. Paraffin also produces black soot, which can stain walls and furniture over time.
Soy Wax Candles
Soy Wax is a popular choice made from soybeans, is a step up from paraffin as it’s a natural option. It burns slower than paraffin, which is a plus, but many soy candles contain additives to improve shelf life and stability. While soy wax is biodegradable and renewable, its production often involves the use of pesticides and fertilizers in soy farming, which can have environmental drawbacks. Additionally, soy wax can sometimes produce a less consistent burn, leading to tunneling or uneven melting.
Coconut Wax Candles
Coconut Wax is a relatively new player in the candle market. Made from the meat of coconuts, this wax is highly sustainable and has a beautiful, creamy texture. Coconut wax burns slowly and cleanly, similar to beeswax, and has a great scent throw, meaning it disperses fragrance well throughout the room. However, it’s often blended with other waxes like soy or paraffin to enhance its stability, so it’s important to check labels if you’re looking for a pure coconut wax candle. Coconut wax is also on the pricier side, but its sustainability and performance make it a worthy contender.
Beeswax Candles
Beeswax is completely natural, produced by, you guessed it, bees. It burns cleanly and can even purifies the air by releasing negative ions, according to some studies. Beeswax has been used for centuries in candles due to its bright, warm light and natural honey scent. It’s also the most sustainable option, as it’s produced by bees as they create their honeycombs.
The Unique Benefits of Beeswax Candles
One of the greatest advantages of beeswax candles is their health benefits. Unlike paraffin candles, which can release harmful chemicals like benzene and toluene into the air, beeswax candles are completely non-toxic.
When burned, beeswax emits negative ions that bind to airborne particles such as dust, pollen, mold spores, and other allergens, helping to neutralize them and improve indoor air quality. This makes beeswax candles particularly beneficial for those with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.
As stated above, some studies have shown that the negative ions released by beeswax candles can also help reduce stress and boost your mood, creating a more serene and healthy living environment.
How negative ions help your body
Beeswax candles also last significantly longer than their paraffin or soy counterparts. Beeswax has a higher melting point, which means it burns at a slower rate. This longer burn time makes beeswax candles more cost-effective in the long run, even though they may be pricier upfront. Plus, the bright, natural light from a beeswax candle is almost like natural sunlight, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for any room in your home.
Additionally, the light emitted by beeswax candles is bright, warm, and closest in color to natural sunlight compared to other candles. This makes them not only beautiful but also practical, as they can help reduce eye strain when used for reading or other close-up tasks in low light. The natural light also creates a calming ambiance that can enhance relaxation and promote better sleep.
The Environmental Perks of Beeswax Candles
Beeswax is as natural as it gets. There’s no heavy processing or chemical additives involved in turning beeswax into candles, making it an incredibly eco-friendly choice. The bees do most of the work by producing the wax as they build their honeycombs, and then we simply harvest and purify it for use in candles.
This minimal processing means that beeswax candles have a much smaller carbon footprint compared to paraffin or soy candles, which often require more intensive processing and transportation.
Beeswax is fully biodegradable and compostable, making it an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. When a beeswax candle has burned down, any leftover wax can be composted along with other organic materials, leaving no trace behind. Furthermore, beeswax is a renewable resource. As long as bees continue to thrive, they will continue to produce beeswax. This sustainability is a major advantage over paraffin, which is a non-renewable resource derived from petroleum.
Purchasing beeswax candles also supports the beekeeping industry, which is essential for maintaining healthy bee populations. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating plants, including many crops that we rely on for food. By choosing beeswax candles, you’re contributing to the demand for sustainable beekeeping practices, which in turn helps protect and preserve bee populations.
Cons of Beeswax Candles
Let’s address the elephant in the room though, the cost. Beeswax candles are more expensive than paraffin and soy candles, and that’s largely due to the time and effort it takes for bees to produce the wax. While beeswax candles can be a bit of an investment, their longer burn time and health benefits often make up for the higher upfront cost. However, if you’re on a tight budget, the initial price tag might be a deterrent.
Beeswax candles can be harder to find than their paraffin or soy counterparts. They’re not always available at major retailers or grocery stores, which means you might have to seek out specialty shops or purchase them online. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that the candles you’re buying are made from 100% pure beeswax and not a blend of other waxes. Reading labels carefully and buying from reputable sources is key. You rarely find 100% beeswax container candles because beeswax has a higher melting point of 160-165°F, unlike paraffin which melts at a lower temperature of around 120°F. This higher melting point causes the container to become too hot to handle, creating a potential safety hazard.
While rare, some people may have allergies to beeswax or the pollen that can be present in natural beeswax. If you or someone in your household has a bee allergy, it’s worth consulting with a healthcare professional before using beeswax candles. Additionally, beeswax candles naturally retain some of the honey scent, which, while pleasant for most, could be irritating to individuals with sensitivities to strong scents, even natural ones.
Beeswax has a higher melting point than other waxes, which can make it a bit trickier to work with if you’re making your own candles. It requires careful melting and pouring to avoid air bubbles and ensure a smooth finish. This might be a con for those who are new to candle making or prefer a more straightforward DIY project.
DIY Beeswax Candle Making At Home
If you’re up for a little DIY adventure, making your own beeswax candles is not only satisfying, but also a great way to ensure you’re using the highest quality ingredients. If you're just wanting to buy one, head over to our online store and check out our selection of Beeswax candles for sale!
Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
Materials Needed:
- 100% pure beeswax (available in blocks or pellets)
- Cotton wicks (make sure they are lead-free)
- Candle molds or jars (silicone molds work great for pillar candles)
- Double boiler or a makeshift one (a large pot with a smaller pot or heatproof bowl inside)
- A thermometer (optional, but helpful for monitoring the wax temperature)
- Essential oils (optional, for added scent)
Instructions:
Prepare Your Workspace: Start by setting up your workspace with all the materials you’ll need. Cover your area with newspaper or parchment paper to catch any spills.
Melt the Beeswax: Place your beeswax in the double boiler and slowly melt it over low to medium heat. Avoid direct heat as beeswax has a relatively high melting point (around 160°F to 165°F), and you don’t want to overheat it. Stir the wax occasionally to ensure it melts evenly.
Prepare the Wick: While the wax is melting, cut the wick to the desired length, making sure it’s long enough to extend out of the top of your mold or jar. If you’re using a mold, thread the wick through the bottom and secure it with a wick holder or a small piece of tape. If you’re using a jar, attach the wick to the bottom with a dab of hot glue or use a wick sticker, and then use a clothespin or a wick holder to keep it centered.
Optional: Add Essential Oils: Once the beeswax has fully melted, you can add essential oils if you’d like to scent your candles. Add about 10-20 drops per cup of melted wax, depending on how strong you want the scent to be. Stir the mixture gently to combine.
Our recommended oils are: Vanilla, Lavender, Pine, or Cedar
Pour the Wax: Carefully pour the melted wax into your mold or jar, ensuring the wick stays centered. If you notice any air bubbles, gently tap the mold or jar on your work surface to release them.
Cool and Trim the Wick: Allow the candle to cool completely, which can take several hours depending on the size of your mold or jar. Once cooled, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the wax surface.
Unmold or Decorate: If you used a mold, carefully remove the candle once it’s fully hardened. If you made a jar candle, you can leave it as is or decorate the jar with ribbon, twine, or a label.
Tips:
Avoiding Tunneling: To prevent your candle from burning down the middle and leaving wax on the sides (a common issue known as tunneling), make sure to burn the candle long enough for the entire surface to melt during each use, especially the first time you light it.
Experiment with Molds: You can experiment with different molds to create various shapes and sizes of candles. Silicone molds are particularly popular for making intricate designs.
Making your own beeswax candles is a rewarding experience that allows you to control exactly what goes into your candles, ensuring they’re as pure and natural as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beeswax Candles
Are Beeswax Candles safe for your lungs?
Beeswax candles are safe for your lungs, and the proffered choice for those with asthma as they burn cleaner, release negative ions, reduce pollutants, and emit a soothing smell of honey.
Can I recycle or re-use the wax from a Beeswax Candle?
Yes, you can recycle and re-use the wax drippings from a Beeswax Candle by melting it down, and molding it again.
Do Beeswax Candles emit a scent?
Yes, Beeswax Candles emit a subtle and sweet fragrance that smells of honey. When essential oils are added to it, it will take on the smell of the wax and the added oils.
