Candle making has been happening for hundreds of years, but has recently become a popular pastime for the everyday person. Making candles can be relaxing and fun, plus they make great gifts to hand out to your family and friends.
There are so many choices you can make when making candles – add color or leave it natural? Scented or not? Even deciding which, if any, decorations to use can be a fun part of the process.
A lot of people forget that there are so many options when it comes to candle making, and it all begins with which wax to use.
There are a number of options to pick from when deciding what your candle will actually be made of. These options include paraffin, palm wax, soy wax, and, of course, beeswax.
Today, we will be focusing on beeswax candles. If you want to learn a little more about beeswax candles and how to make them, stick around!
In this post, we will go through some of my favorite beeswax recipes that you can easily make at home. There’s nothing tricky about these, so beginners are welcome to try them out, too!
What Are Beeswax Candles?
As the name suggests, beeswax candles are candles that are made from the wiz produced by honeybees. These candles are 100% natural and renewable, so they are great for the environment.
Not only are beeswax candles chemical free and non-toxic, but they are helpful in stopping the decline in honeybees.
These candles produce less mess than any other kind of candle, too. Instead of getting soot as the candle burns, beeswax candles are clean. As if you needed any more reasons to try out beeswax candles, they also burn slower than candles made of other materials!
Their high melting points mean that they have a long burning life, and create a warm, ambient light that outshines any other types of candles.
Which Scents Work Well With Beeswax Candles?
White beeswax is more refined and has been through more processes, which makes it turn white, while yellow wax is more natural. Both smell faintly of honey, which make a great scent on its own if you prefer something that isn’t too strong.
If you do like strongly scented candles, however, there are a number of essential and fragrance oils that work well with the honey. Below is a list of some honey-complimenting scents you can use if you would like to bump your candle game up a notch.
Lavender
Lemon
Cocoa
Grapefruit
Vanilla
Pine Needle
Orange
There are also some great combinations you can try out when making your beeswax candles. Essential oils are a common way to add some amazing smells to your candles, but not all of these oils are suitable for burning.
Additionally, some essential oils should not be used around certain groups of people, such as pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and children.
Before picking out your scents of choice, be sure to read up on any potential side effects or health hazards they could cause. There are a number of essential oils (such as eucalyptus) that should only be used around adults.
Some Facts About Beeswax Candles To Make You Want To Create Them Even More
Before we get into our favorite beeswax candle recipes, let’s take a look at why beeswax candles are so great in the first place. You should always find out as much as you can on a topic before diving in, and that’s what we’re here for.
Below is a list of reasons why you definitely should try out some DIY beeswax candle making the next chance you get.
Their natural scent is very pleasant – beeswax has a subtle but delightful scent that is both sweet and earthy. Coming from honeybees, this wax will bring the fresh smell of nature into your home.
They burn for longer – since beeswax has a higher melting temperature than a lot of other waxes, the candles will burn for longer. Because of this, you should always allow your beeswax candles to burn for at least 4-hours, or else you could have problems with tunneling. Tunneling will cut the life of your candle short, and all your hard work won’t get to be enjoyed.
A lot of beeswax is sourced directly from beekeepers and micro-beekeepers – these people are keeping the honeybee populations alive, so by supporting them, you are helping the honeybees, too! Try to look for beeswax that is sourced from these kinds of places.
They are the greenest candles you can get – beeswax candles are eco-friendly, sustainable, and healthy. This kind of wax can have great health benefits, which includes antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. These candles will purify the surrounding air, what else could you want from a candle?
Our Favorite Beeswax Candle Recipes
There are loads of great recipes on the internet for some homemade beeswax candles. Below are some of our favorite picks. We will go through each of these recipes in detail and explain what is needed, and how the process goes.
By the end of it, you should be ready to get making some candles of your own!
Large pot (large enough to fit the pitcher or coffee tin)
Pencils or bamboo skewers
Essential oils of choice (if using)
Glue gun
Candle wicks
Method:
Measure out the beeswax and get all other materials out and ready to use
Add all your beeswax to the pitcher or tin (using something that you are happy to throw away after is ideal, since cleaning beeswax off anything is extremely difficult)
Add water to your large pot and start heating it up
Place your container with wax in the large pot and bring to the boil to begin melting
Lower the heat to medium. Stir occasionally until the wax is melted
Be careful not to let any water get splashed into the wax
When the beeswax is melted, remove the pot from the heat
Add your measured out coconut oil
If you are using essential oils, add between 30-50 drops and stir in gently after you have given the melted wax a few minutes to cool down a little. If the essential oils are added too soon, they will just evaporate, and you will not get a smell from the candle once lit.
Use a glue gun to secure the candle wick to the bottom of the mason jar
Carefully pour in the melted beeswax and coconut oil mixture. Make sure to leave around an inch of space left at the top
Get your bamboo skewers or pencils, and wrap one end of the wick. Leave it to lie horizontally across the middle of the jar. Doing this will ensure that the wick is kept in the middle and doesn’t move around as the wax gets harder over the hours
Leave the candles to harden. This should take between 12-24 hours
Once hardened completely, trim the long wick, so there is about ½ inch left.
Jars – either a large tulip jar, or some jelly jars
Wick stickers
Empty coffee tin or metal pitcher
Large pot (large enough to fit the pitcher or coffee tin)
Method:
Get all your materials out and ready to use
Find your wicks with the wick tab attached, and get the wick stickers
Get a wick sticker off its roll and put it on the wick tab. Peel off the paper to expose the sticky side
Place the wick to the bottom of your chosen jar by stick it down
Measure out your beeswax
Set up your double boiler (just get a large pot and add water to it, then place your wax in its container in the water to start the melting process)
Melt the beeswax, then add the coconut oil to the mixture
If adding essential oils, wait for the wax to cool down a little so that oils do not get burned
Mix all the ingredients together with an implement you don’t mind getting dirty (it is a good idea to have one item saved just for stirring your wax do you don’t have to try to clean it after every use)
Carefully pour the melted wax mixture into the jars. Do this slowly, so you don’t spill any and make sure there are no air bubbled trapped in the jar
Use a pencil, or even better, a clothespin, to center the candle wick. All you need to do with a candle wick is threat the wick through the hole. This will keep the wick in the middle, and is ideal for a number of different jar sizes
Place your poured candles in an area where they will not be disturbed. It is best for them to be in a warm area as if they are placed in a cold area, they are likely to crack. You can put your candles in a relatively cool oven to avoid cracking
Wait 2-days before cutting the wick and using the candle
Recipe 3 – Naturally Made Mom’s Cinnamon Beeswax Candle
Materials needed:
Beeswax – 1 ¼ cups
Coconut oil – ½ cup
Cinnamon essential oil – 40 drops
Clove essential oil – 20 drops
Sweet orange essential oil – 10 drops
Empty coffee tin or metal pitcher
Large pot (large enough to fit the pitcher or coffee tin)
Mason jar (12 oz)
Wood stick – one to keep the wick straight and centered
Wick stickers
Method:
Get all your materials out and measure ingredients
Set up your double boiler (simply add a few cups of water to a pot large enough to fit the tin you will melt your wax in), start heating up
Prepare the jar you are using by sticking the wick to the bottom of the jar
Center the wick by using either a clothespin or a wood stick
Add your measured out beeswax and coconut oil to a heat-resistant measuring cup (e.g., Pyrex)
As soon as the water in the pot is boiling, place the cup of solid wax inside. Make sure that you will be able to retrieve it once the wax has melted
Using a medium heat, allow the beeswax to melt, Stir the mixture every not and then for around 15 minutes
Once the wax has almost completely melted, add your essential oils and mix in
Retrieve the Pyrex cup and remove the wax from the double boiler
Carefully pour the wax into the prepared jars / candleholders. Make sure the wick stays in the middle of the jar as you pour.
Leave the candles to harden for around 20 minutes
Trim the wick, leaving about ¼ an inch from the candle
White beeswax – amounts will vary depending on if you are making a tea light candle, or larger ones.
Jars or tealight cases
Essential or fragrance oils
Wick holder, clothespin, or pencil
Wicks
Blue gun
Bamboo stick / skewer
Candle dye
Empty coffee tin or metal pitcher
Large pot (large enough to fit the pitcher or coffee tin)
Method:
Prepare all ingredients and get them all set out and ready to use
Measure everything you need
Prepare the double boiler (just get a large pot and add water to it, then place your wax in its container in the water to start the melting process)
Place your container of wax in the double boiler and allow it to start melting
While the wax is melting, set up your jars
Attach the wick to the bottom of the jars
Center the wicks using your chosen method
Once the wax has melted, use a small amount of your chosen candle dye and mix it into the wax
After mixing in the essential or fragrance oils, add your chosen essential oils – you should add about 6% of the weight of the wax
Mix everything together gently
Pour your candles carefully, making sure not to spill anywhere
Once poured, leave the candles for at least 24 hours
When the candles are set, they are ready to use or gift to your friends and family!
Some Great Essential Oil Combinations To Try For Your Beeswax Candles
Need a few essential oil blends to try out for your next candle making day? These oils compliment each other perfectly and are perfect for a fresh, warm smell. Why not try some out?
Basil, sweet orange
Cinnamon, clove, sweet orange
Eucalyptus, lemon
Lemongrass and geranium
Lime, bergamot, and wild orange
Lime, lemon
Patchouli, sandalwood, lavender, and vetiver
Siberian fir, cinnamon, and cassia
Sweet orange, rosemary
Tangerine, rosemary, and juniper berry
Wild orange, lemon, and peppermint
Why Making Homemade Candles Is A Good Idea
It’s always nice to know exactly what goes into your candles, which his why making them at home is so great. Unfortunately, a lot of store bought candles have chemicals and toxins that are added to them to enhance scents.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that every store bought candle is bad, but there are a few to be wary of.
The majority of candles are made using paraffin wax, which is believed to be a carcinogen when burned. These candles will release hazardous toxins into the air and fill your home.
Homemade candles that are made with beeswax do not produce these toxins, which make them great alternatives. Candles made of beeswax are actually beneficial to the air and the environment.
Not to mention, they give an ambient lighting that no other candle even comes close to.
Tips And Tricks For Making Beeswax Candles
There are loads of things you can try out when creating candles. From what you put them in, to their scents and coloring. Did you know that beeswax can even be used to make homemade sunscreens and lip balms?
No matter what you are using your beeswax for, it makes a great alternative to all kinds of other ingredients. Below are a few tips and tricks you can take into consideration when working with beeswax or making candles.
Try out different containers for your candles – you don’t need to limit yourself to specialized candle containers. You can use anything that is heat-resistant to hold your candles! Try using some cute vintage containers, tea cups, or coffee mugs. The more interesting you can make your candleholders, the better! There are lost of different styles you can try out.
Use as few dishes as possible when working with beeswax – since beeswax is so hard to clean, limit the amount of materials that will have to come into contact with the wax. It’s a great idea to have some designated items that you will use for all your future DIY projects instead of messing up a bunch of different ones.
Don’t worry if your wick smokes or sparks when first lighting it – if your wick smokes or sparks when you first light your candle, just blow it out and re-cut it. Try not to cut too much off, though, you need around ½ an inch in order to avoid tunneling.
Use a crock pot to candle making – you can simply put wax straight into jars and let them warm up in the crock pot to easily melt the wax if you don’t have containers to use for it. This will save you some time and cleaning since everything will be contained!
Final Thoughts
You made it this far, so thank you! Hopefully this post has inspired you to get out there and start creating your dream candles. Of course, there are plenty of more completed candle recipes you can try out, but those take a lot of planning and some skill to learn, especially the decorating!
Most candle recipes are pretty easy to do, and follow the same set of basic rules, so there is little that can go wrong with simple candles.
Now that you know a little more about beeswax candles, what do you think of them? If you decide to make any of these, let us know what you thought of them. Candles make such great gifts, especially when they are homemade.
Somehow, there’s nothing better than knowing that a loved one put in the time and effort to create something, don’t you agree? Now, get your wax out and find your favorite essential oils. Happy candle making!
Hi, my name is Hannah Shiftle, and I started using essential oils 15 years ago. At first, I was dubious of them, much like a lot of people. However, as I began to use them on a daily basis, I quickly discovered how much of a difference they had on both my physical and mental health.
Through Oil Health Benefits, I will be sharing my knowledge and passion for essential oils with you, providing readers with all the information they need to know. From the best oils to use for illnesses, to understanding what makes essential oils pure, I have covered all these topics.
