Are you in search of a new arts and crafts project or looking for a way to upgrade your home decor? Maybe you should consider making beeswax candles!
Learning how to make beeswax candles is a fun and easy process once you get the hang of it.
Keep reading to find out about the six easy steps that will take you from a chunk of beeswax to a beautiful candle in no time.
Gather Your Materials
The first step of making beeswax candles is ensuring you have all the materials you need! Below you’ll find a detailed list of all the essential items needed for successful candle making.
Beeswax
Because beeswax is the most important ingredient in making beeswax candles, you’ll probably want to purchase a little more beeswax than you think you’ll need.
Different brands and types of beeswax have a tendency to be slightly different shades of gold and yellow, so it’s good to have more than enough of the same type of wax if you want color consistency throughout your candle.
In addition, 100% beeswax is ideal for a smooth candle-making process.
Wick
A wick is probably the next most important piece of equipment because, without a wick, your candle wouldn’t be able to burn!
Specifically, the wick is a piece of string you’ll insert into the candle mold before you pour your wax.
Cotton wicks work best with beeswax candles and are easy to find online and in craft stores.
Wick Sticker
The candle wick sticker is a small, adhesive piece that can attach to the bottom of the wick tab (the metal piece at the end of the wick) so that it’ll stick to the bottom of whatever container you’re filling up with wax.
You’ll need a wick sticker for the later parts of the candle-making process.
Mold or Jar
A mold or a jar is necessary when gathering materials for making beeswax candles because it’ll serve as the container you’ll pour your melted wax into.
Silicone molds work pretty well for candle making, especially when it comes to easy removal.
If you choose a jar instead, pick something like a mason jar that’s definitely heat-resistant. Otherwise, you’ll have a huge mess and a safety hazard on your hands!
Heating Vessel
Another candle-making must-have is a heating vessel of some sort because you’ll have to figure out what you want to melt the wax in.
This could be a pot you currently have. However, once you use it to melt beeswax, it’ll be almost impossible to fully clean it and use it for another purpose.
Some options for an effective heating vessel are a double boiler, crock pot, or microwave. However, it’s important to note that you should only use a microwave to melt very small quantities of wax. Otherwise, it could become a safety hazard.
Clean Your Beeswax
This next step in the process of how to make beeswax candles depends on where exactly your beeswax came from.
Specifically, if you’re getting your beeswax directly from a beekeeper, you’ll need to remove any non-wax substances like dirt, pollen, or honey that may be stuck in the wax.
Keeping the wax clean is important because it impacts how effectively the final candle will burn.
Cleaning beeswax can involve rinsing the solid wax, melting it down, and straining out any impurities.
On the other hand, if you purchased your beeswax from a commercial retailer, you can skip this step! Commercially sold beeswax is generally already clean, so impurities probably won’t be an issue.
Melt the Beeswax
It would be impossible to learn how to make beeswax candles without melting the beeswax, so that’s our next step!
Beeswax has to reach 147 degrees Fahrenheit before it melts. Use a candy thermometer or similar tool to monitor the wax’s temperature.
Heat your wax over consistent heat slowly for a safe and successful process.
In addition, as your wax is melting, stir it every once in a while to help it liquefy. To stir your wax, use a wooden utensil like a chopstick you can throw away after mixing, or use one exclusively for candle making because it will be covered in wax.
Once the wax has turned to liquid, take it off the heat source.
Choose and Prepare a Wick
You may not think about choosing and preparing your wick when considering how to make beeswax candles, but it’s crucial to ensure that your finished candle burns properly.
Selection
When selecting a wick, the wick’s size is the most important factor to consider.
The wick’s size depends on the projected diameter of your candle, and choosing a wick that’s too big or too small will negatively affect how your candle burns. For larger candles, you can use more than one wick.
Preparation
Now that you’ve picked out a wick, you’ll need to position that wick in the right spot.
If you’re using a mold, pull the wick through the small hole at the bottom and bring it up to the top of the mold so that there are a few extra inches ready at the top. The wick tab should cover up this hole.
If you’re using a jar or similar container, use a wick sticker to secure the wick tab to the bottom of the vessel.
Finally, secure the extra inches of wick just above the top of the mold or jar using a tool like a rubber band, clothespin, or popsicle stick.
Pour the Melted Beeswax into a Mold
Because this how-to guide is about how to make beeswax candles and not just how to melt beeswax, this next step is one of the most important!
Utilizing a mold for melted beeswax is the most user-friendly way of shaping your candles.
Molds come in a variety of super fun shapes and sizes, likethis onethat’s shaped like a beehive!
If you are using a two-piece mold, ensure that the two halves of your mold are secured together using some sort of implement, like rubber bands, before you start pouring.
Pour slowly and steadily, making sure that the hot wax doesn’t overflow from the mold.
If you don’t want to buy a brand-new mold, pour your wax into a heat-resistant jar that you already have.
Once you’ve gotten the hang of how to make beeswax candles, there are other methods to shape your candle, too, including rolled wax candles, dipped candles, and pillar candles.
Let Cool
The final step of how to make beeswax candles is letting the wax cool into your final, solid candle!
Specifically, you’ll need to leave the mold or jar alone for at least two days so that the wax can cool down and cure completely.
Keep your wax-filled mold or jar in a slightly warm environment so that it can cool gradually.
To keep the temperature consistent, try heating up your oven to approximately 170 degrees Fahrenheit and turning it off when your candles are ready to start cooling. All you need to do is stick the candles in the oven, and they’ll get the gradual cool-down they need.
Once the candle is cured, you’ll also need to trim its wick so that it’s about a quarter of an inch long.
After that, your candles should be ready to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have some lingering questions about how to make beeswax candles? You’re not alone! Take a look at these frequently asked questions to get your answer.
How safe is beeswax?
Since you’ll probably burn your finished candles in your home, it’s understandable that you’ll want your candle-making materials to be as safe as possible.
Luckily, beeswax is a natural and non-toxic substance, so it’s totally safe to work with.
In addition, beeswax burns cleanly, so you and your loved ones will be safe from exposure to harmful chemicals and excess smoke while the candle lights up your living spaces.
As an added bonus, beeswax can be harvested sustainably because it doesn’t hurt bees to gather the extra wax from their hives. From the beginning of the process to the very end, beeswax is a great choice!
Can I add anything to my beeswax candles?
Yes! If you’re looking to spice up your candles, there are a few different additions you can make throughout the process of learning how to make beeswax candles.
For example, after you’ve melted your beeswax, you can add pigments to change the color of the wax. Some dyes are made specifically for use in soap or candle making, so pay close attention to the pigments you purchase. TheseRolio pigmentsare a great start and come in a huge variety of colors!
You can also add essential oils or scented oils created specifically for use in candles to make any room smell nice as your candles burn. TheseHolamay essential oilsare a fun way to add fresh and fruity scents to your candles!
Finally, adding coconut or palm oil to the melted wax will help your finished candle burn longer and increase the longevity of any scents you add.
If you choose to add coconut or palm oil to your candle, you’ll want a 50/50 blend of wax and oil.
Mastering How to Make Beeswax Candles
Now that you’ve read our detailed guide on how to make beeswax candles, you’re ready to go out and try it on your own! Follow these steps, and you’ll have beautiful and functional candles in no time.
If you’re on the hunt for even more fun ideas to express your creative side, check out ourArts and Craftspage!
