Candle making is popular art that involves a variety of waxes and processes to create the different types of candles. Different waxes are suitable for specific candle-making purposes. The best wax for candle-making will make your DIY candle project easier and hassle-free.
However, before choosing the best candle wax, there are some things you need to consider, including the scent, length of lighting, if you can mix different colors, etc. There are many choices when it comes to candle waxes, and it can get confusing when trying to find the best one.
For this reason, we have a guide that includes the five best waxes for candle making, their pros and cons, as well as factors you need to consider before buying the best candle wax in the market today. Hopefully, the guide and information below will help you make the best choice.
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5 Best Waxes for Candle Making
1. Hearts and Crafts Soy Wax, DIY Candle Making Supplies
- ALL-NATURAL CANDLE MAKING KIT: Say goodbye to poor-quality candle wax...
- EXCELLENT SCENT THROW: Soy wax has an excellent scent throw, making it...
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED: The Hearts & Crafts soy wax kit includes all the...
- WHAT’S IN THE BAG: (1) 10lb. bag of natural soy wax (flake form),...
- HAPPINESS DELIVERED: From the very heartbeat of Brooklyn, we supply...
The Hearts and Crafts Soy Wax and DIY Candle wax Supplies is a natural and organic soy wax with a subtle scent and gentle glow. Unlike other wax brands that have unhealthy minerals, this wax will only contain soybean and vegetable oils with no mineral or chemical ingredients.
Candles made from this wax fill the home with relaxing scents from additional fragrance oils, achieving a balanced hot throw of fragrance at 12 degrees Fahrenheit melting point. This kit contains 100 pre-waxed wicks, two wick centering devices, and a 10-pound bag of raw wax chips.
Each wick is cut to about 6 inches, and you can use the centering device to position the wick as the wax is cooling. Pretty teacups and heat-resistant glass jars are considered attractive and safe containers for soy candles. This is a natural option that excludes harmful chemicals when burning to make it safe for use.
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2. The Candlemaker's Store 05417002641 Natural Soy Wax
- This is a good container blend with a 121-125 melt point that is...
- This wax can hold up to 15% Fragrance and has an incredible hot throw
- You can also blend this with the 416 Soy wax to create beautiful tarts
If you're planning to make scented soy candles, it can be challenging to achieve a great fragrance formula because the soy wax is denser and will require more heat to release the fragrance.
However, the Candlemaker's Store 05417002641 Natural Soy Candle Wax features a blend of 98% soy and 2% all-natural soy-based additive that is formulated to hold a 15% scent throw. This refers to the ratio of wax to essential oils, and it is a high fragrance percentage to soy wax.
The formula also holds the colors well to ensure you can create uniform candles without any frustrations. It is a great container wax blend with a 121 to 125 melt point. You can also blend this natural soy wax with the 416 soy wax to create amazing art.
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3. American Soy Organics- 10 lb of Freedom Soy Wax Beads for Candle Making
- FOR BEGINNERS AND EXPERTS ALIKE: Wax in bead form is the hassle free...
- MICROWAVABLE CANDLE WAX: The Freedom soy wax blend melts perfectly in...
- SIMPLE STEPS: Weigh out your soy candle wax beads in a microwave safe...
- PERFECT RESULTS: Using soy wax beads for candle making can help to...
- MADE IN THE USA: American Soy Organics Freedom soy wax beads for...
The American Soy Organics- 10 lb of Freedom Soy Wax Beads will melt evenly and quickly in the microwave, with minimal mess and equipment for candle making. It is easy to work with and quite affordable, making them a great choice for beginners and DIYers.
Candlemakers can add fragrance and color using essential oils and dye chips. These soy wax beads will melt evenly at 160 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent several problems like uneven fragrance, improper adhesion to the walls of containers, and lumpy tops.
The liquified results will pour out smoothly in the container candles, and once hardened, and they will burn evenly and slowly. It is made from soybeans which are grown in the American midwest. It is produced with favorable, ethical, renewable, and sustainable ethical agricultural practices.
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4. Blended Waxes, Inc. 1 lb. Block - Household Paraffin Wax
- SUPERIOR WAX BLEND: Paraffin wax is known for its versatility whether...
- EXPANSIVE OPTIONS BY APPLICATION: Extensive offering of wax products...
- INDUSTRY EXPERTISE: Experienced technicians focus on providing...
- QUALITY AND PRODUCT CERTIFICATION: A variety of standards and...
- MADE IN THE USA: All paraffin, microcrystalline and natural waxes are...
The Blended Waxes brand has provided this one-pound block of paraffin wax for making candles and other crafts and household projects. This paraffin wax mixes well well with other natural waxes with a melting point of approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since it is odorless and colorless, it also mixes easily with color chips and fragrance oils. The candle wax and process result in attractive candles that give out pleasant scents as they burn. It is used by candle makers to produce votive candles, container candles, and freestanding pillars.
This high-quality wax has gone through testing based on the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. Their manufacturing processes have also been certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001-2015).
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5. Natural Soy 444 Wax: 5-pound bag by Golden Brands
- Natual Soy wax
- Great for all containers
- Nice fragarance throw
- Soy
- Perfect for crafters
The Golden Brand Natural soy wax has a great consistency in texture and size of the flakes that meltdown into a creamy and smooth wax. With a high melting point of 185 degrees, you're assured that your products won't liquefy even on the hottest day.
Its formula is designed to reduce frosting, also known as crystal growth, and is a great option for beginners looking for candle wax. It is easy to use and also works quite well as a resist for dyeing and fabric printing.
It has a nice fragrance throw and is safe for use on all containers. Although the making of candles is a science that involves a lot of research and tutorials with chances of error, this Golden Brands wax makes it easy to use. It eliminates all the hassle with its easy-to-use formula.
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CONS
What are the Factors to Consider Before Buying a Candle Wax?
1. Type of Candle Wax
There are different types of candle waxes used by candle makers, including;
a). Soy Wax
Soy wax was developed as an alternative to petroleum-derived paraffin. It is made from 100 percent hydrogenated soybean oil that is not only affordable but also easy to work with. The soy waxes come in a variety of melting points and blends, with the most common being the container candle blends.
Many of these soy waxes are made from 100% soybean oil, while others are blended with other waxes like the palm, beeswax, etc., and other vegetable oils like coconut. As long the blend has at least 51% of soy, then it is referred to as a soy wax blend.
b). Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is one of the most common and versatile waxes used today. Like soy, paraffin wax comes with different melting points used in different applications, from pillars to votives to containers. However, paraffin wax is not embraced nowadays because it is a by-product of the crude oil refinement process, which is not very sustainable and environmentally friendly like soy wax candles.
c). Gel Wax
Technically, the gel wax is not a wax but instead a combination of mineral oil and resin. It is quite similar to other waxes as it holds the color and scent as it burns and melts. The difference comes in the transparency that allows for different varieties of gel candles to be made from it.
Gel wax is mostly used for container and votive candles, but the firmer ones are also used for crafting pillar candles. It is also often used to imitate water or other liquids like wine or beer in novelty candles.
d). Beeswax
Beeswax is one of the oldest candle wax, and many tend to argue that it is the best wax for candle making. It is gotten from bees as a by-product of the honey-making process. Beeswax candles give off a naturally sweet fragrance since it is infused with honey during creation.
Candlemakers can get this beeswax in either blocks or slabs that melt easily or pre-rolled sheets that can be made into candles without the need to melt.
e). Palm Wax
Palm wax is similar to soy as it is made from natural oil, hydrogenating palm oils. It is a very firm wax that will work well for pillar and votive candles. However, palm wax is often blended with soy wax to make it harder. As a result, the palm wax candles produce a feathered or crystalline effect which is quite lovely.
2. Burning time
When it comes to the burning time of natural waxes, beeswax tends to burn the longest among all-natural candles. On the other hand, palm and soy wax candles have a slow burn with a medium to long burning time and tend to be the best candle wax for someone on a budget.
A higher melting point will most of the time translate to a long burning time. For example, a gel candle burns longer compared to paraffin candles and natural wax. However, they tend to emit toxins into the air as the wax melts, which might not be favorable to some people.
3. Types of Candles
Apart from the different types of candle wax, there are different types of candles, and this is a crucial factor every candlemaker should consider. Freestanding candles offer the benefit of maintaining the shape as they melt and burn.
Beeswax, paraffin, and palm wax can be used to make freestanding tapers and pillar candles because of their hardness. However, container candles like tea lights and votives will require heat-resistant containers to hold the candles as they melt and burn. Therefore, candlemakers use palm wax, beeswax, paraffin wax, and soy for making container candles.
4. Fragrance
Some people would enjoy scented candles, while some would like to add some scents to the candles. Fragrance affects the mood, and some aromatherapy enthusiasts will inhale scents to promote relaxation and relieve anxiety and stress.
Essential oils may be used in candle wax to provide calming effects, for example, coconut wax, natural honey scent, canola wax, etc. The scent throw is the capacity of a candle to emit ascent into the air, and the cold throw is the scent emitted when the candle is unlit, while the hot throw is a scent from a burning candle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Candle Waxes
1. What is the best candle wax for making scented candles?
The best candle wax for scented candles is soy wax, as it melts down properly, making it easier to mix with essential oils. It also has a great scent throw, depending on how it is made. It is also a less expensive wax, a cleaner alternative to paraffin wax, and has a decent burn time too.
2. What kind of wax holds the most fragrance?
Different types of wax hold fragrances differently depending on the candle brands, ingredients, etc. However, paraffin wax candles tend to hold the most fragrance, which means you get the strongest scent throw you can get. It is also one of the best wax for candle making.
3. Which candle wax lasts the longest?
Gel wax candles tend to burn the longest, although they are not recommended since they are harmful to the environment. Beeswax candles and soy wax are types of wax that tend to have the longest burn time. Palm waxes come next with a pretty decent burn time.
4. How do you make homemade candles smell stronger?
With the best candle wax, here are some of the ways you can make the scent stronger;
- Use the right amount of fragrance oils whole making candles
- Ensure you add the fragrance at the right temperature
- Allow the candle to cool off first before using it completely.
- Store them properly
- Get the best wax for candle making
