A guide to the different types of wax for making candles and tips and hints as to which are best for each type of candle project.
Making your own candles is a wonderful way to personalize gifts or just add to your homemade crafting skills. But there is more than one type of candle, and more than one type of wax with which to make those candles. How does a novice candle maker know which wax is the most appropriate for each type of project? This guide will give you hints and tips as to which wax is the best fit for the type of candle you wish to make.
In order to choose the best candle wax, it is important first to know about the characteristics of each. Once you know these, it is much easier to make an informed and correct decision. There are three basic types of wax- paraffin, soy and beeswax.
Paraffin wax is by far the cheapest of the three. It is widely available in hobby stores and is what the majority of inexpensive, non-specialty candles are made of. It is a very oily wax that burns quickly and can sometimes leave a carbon-like residue on any candle holders you may use with it. If you are looking for an inexpensive wax for very basic candles, or a cheap wax to use while learning how to make candles, this would likely be your choice. This wax is a great basic wax that is good for most any candle project where scent is not needed (as it does not hold scent too well).
Soy wax and products made from it are quickly gaining in popularity. It used to be that this type of wax was very hard to find, but now is stocked at most arts and crafts stores. It is a bit more expensive than paraffin, but does last up to three times longer than its cheaper cousin. It holds color and scent very well and also burns much cleaner. The one big drawback is how the wax reacts when being melted. It liquefies and takes a very long time to harden again. This makes it a very bad choice for taper or pillar candles, as it would make a huge mess and even start a fire. If you wish to make a poured candle that stays inside a glass container, then soy is an excellent choice. But for any stand-alone candle projects such as tapers or pillars, soy is out of the question.
The final type of wax is beeswax. While this is the most expensive of the three types, it is also the most versatile. It is the best choice for emergency candles, because it lasts so long. Even a small votive candle made of beeswax can last longer than a medium-sized pillar candle made of paraffin. This holds scent the best out of all three alternatives, therefore is the most desirable for aromatherapy candle projects. It also lets off almost no carbon, so it's great to make for the environment as well, or for making projects for friends or family who prefer natural or organic products. In fact, beeswax a great wax for any candle project and can increasingly be found next to soy and paraffin at craft and hobby stores.
Though the candle industry is increasingly making man-made materials in candles, such as gel, there are only three actual waxes for candles. Each one has its good qualities and a few drawbacks, but all will result in great candles when used appropriately. The trick is to know what candle you want to make then find the wax that best fits your needs and budget. With this knowledge and a little practice, your candles will come out perfect every time.
