How To Pick The Right Candle Wax

Most of the wax used in candles today is refined from petroleum like paraffin wax. This is the type of wax that is in most candles. Paraffin wax is readily available and inexpensive. The paraffin that changes from solid to liquid state, has a melting point, which is medium level. The temperatures range from 130 to 145 degree Fahrenheit. It's advisable to use this wax for pouring candles. Other types of waxes are natural and refined from vegetable or plant materials like soy, palm, or bayberry. A natural wax growing in popularity is soy based wax. It is processed by hydrogenating soybeans which makes them suitable for candles.

Soy wax is a renewable resource that is eco-friendly. The best part about soy wax is that the majority of soybeans are grown in the United States primarily in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. Palm wax is also natural and a renewable resource. Unfortunately with the growing popularity of palm wax, countries like Indonesia and Malaysia were clearing our vast areas of rainforest in order to plant palm plantations. This is devastating to ecosystems and compromises the populations of endangered animals like orangutans, rhinoceroses and the Sumatran tiger. Thankfully, the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) stepped in and founded RSPO. This organization was founded to develop and define the best practices for sustainable palm cultivation. They also help member organizations to implement and verify the procedures. So when you are shopping for palm wax make sure that they are obtaining wax in an eco-friendly way.

Most hand-made soy candles are made from essential oils. The finest natural fragrance comes from real essential oils. Essential oils come from plants. There are a few exceptions. Several essential oils come from animals. Musk essential oil comes from the deer, and ambergris from whale secretions. In plants, essential oil is the life line of the plant. It works like a natural antibiotic to protect the plant from disease.

Essential oil from plants is extracted by expression, cold pressed, or distillation. These processes are very time consuming and expensive. Chemical solvents may be used to extract pure essential oils, but this method is questionable. Solvents may remain in the essential oils. Large amounts of plant material are needed to make essential oil. It is a far better option to purchase essential oils from a reputable source-rather than attempting to make your own essential oil.

Some candles are made from animal based materials like beeswax. Candles made from beeswax, palm, and bayberry were offered by companies in the past. Recently there has been a new and growing interest in making candles out of these natural products. One of the more popular natural waxes is beeswax. It is available in yellow or white. Although the cost of beeswax can be expensive, candle makers are drawn to its pleasant fragrance, the burning characteristics it contains, and the hardiness of the product. Beeswax is compulsory in church candles, the amount varying between churches and their ruling bodies.

Though it gives a better end result, beeswax is generally too expensive for candles designed for home use. Less costly designs such as those you see selling at craft fairs and flea markets can be created from synthetic waxes available from craft shops and specialist suppliers. A tiny amount of beeswax added to artificial wax improves the appearance and fragrance of your candle. Beeswax can be obtained from most local beekeepers' associations and from specialist suppliers.

Gel candles are also a new kind of way to make candles. It is a clear, rubbery texture but works the same as wax. Gel wax is available in three different densities. The density of the gel that the candle requires depends upon the type of candle you are planning to make and how much fragrance you are planning to use. Low density gel wax is best for candles with a 0-3% fragrance load. Also, the low density can be poured at a lower temperature. The medium density gel wax works well with candles that have a 3-5% fragrance load. It is probably the most popular gel wax to work with. High density gel wax is better for candle with a heavier fragrance load.

With so many different kinds of wax available, candle maker are able to pick the type that works best for them. When a candle maker is able to understand each kind of wax, they are able to fully experience every inch of the candle making market and get double, triple or even quadruple the fulfillment.