Relax Without the Toxins. Buy or Make Beeswax Candles!

If there is one smell that intoxicates me, it’s the smell of beeswax candles They remind me of my early childhood days at Waldorf when we used to make candles by dipping them over and over into into big buckets of beeswax. The beautiful scent of a beeswax candle relaxes me and it’s also good to know that when I burn beeswax candles, I don’t have the worry of toxins wafting through the house.

Unfortunately, most candles are better left unlit because they are made of paraffin wax. Beeswax candles are, on the other hand, made by bees. Well not entirely, but you get the point. Bees work to make the honey for the wax. It is all natural and there are many advantages to using beeswax candles over paraffin candles.

Paraffin (the wax) is made from vegetable, animal, and petroleum wastes. When you burn these substances, toxic substances have the potential to be given off in the flame. Have you ever seen black smoke coming from a candle flame? It occurs when the candle is getting close to being burned out because there is no more wax to burn. These are the chemicals being released into the air. Decorative candles of this type typically do not burn clean. When the wax re-hardens you will see the black residue in the wax. The wax creates a pitting phenomenon in the center of the candle and the wax also drips down the side and ruins the look of the candle.

Another little known fact is that the wicks in the center of many candles contain lead. When burning the wick, the lead can be released into the air air around us. Yuck! Unfortunately, candles like this are mostly found at discount stores so they are in a lot of homes! People with respiratory problems should especially avoid being around burning paraffin candles (any parents with children that have asthma?)

On the other hand, beeswax candles are a great alternative. Many people pass over them because they cost more and the large variety of scented candles on the market seem more appealing upfront. But there is much more to a beeswax candle than meets the eye:

• They burn clean. That means no pollutants are released into the air. The air is actually cleaner because what is given off by the beeswax works to eliminate odors and other pollutants from the air.
• For people who want to keep the shape of the candle, beeswax candles do not do any pitting when the wax is burned. In fact, the wax burns out towards the end of the candle.
• Beeswax candles do not drip over. They continue to burn until there is nothing left.
• They are not scented artificially. They do give off a smell of sweet honey.
• The color of the candle is the natural color of the wax.
• Beeswax candles burn longer than paraffin wax candles. For your twenty bucks you will get over 100 hours of candle burning pleasure.

You can also make your own beeswax candles:

Beeswax candles can be made with beeswax sheets.  True beeswax candle makers don’t use these sheets but for homemade candles, beeswax sheets are easy and safe for children to use.  The wax is pressed into sheets for use in making different shapes of candles.

Before making beeswax candles, prepare by getting all of your supplies together and setting up an area to work.  To make these candles you will need:  beeswax sheets, scissors or a knife, candle wicks, a cutting board or other hard surface for cutting.  When purchasing the supplies, check to see that the wicks do not contain any lead or other chemicals.

Beeswax usually comes in a light color which is the color of the wax.  Adding color introduces chemicals into the wax that can be burned off in the flame.  You can get beeswax candles in different colors but they may not burn as clean.

First, watch the children when sharp objects are around.  Do any cutting that needs to be done and keep the knife pointed away from the body.  Work on the kitchen table so the kids can lean as they work.

1. Lay out a sheet of beeswax.  If using colored wax in combinations cut the sheet and add other colored pieces.  Lay them close together so they overlap.
2. Take the wick and place it near the beginning of the wax sheet.  Let an inch or so of the wick hang out of the bottom of the candle and two inches out of the top of the beeswax sheet.
3. Press the wick gently into the beeswax sheet.  The wick needs to be secured so that it will not be displaced during rolling.  After the wick is firmly in place, it is time to create the candle.
4. Slowly, roll the beeswax sheet over itself.  Keep the rolls tight so no gaps are present in the wax.  Continue rolling until the entire sheet is finished or the candle is as wide as you would like it.  Larger candles like pillars have one or three wicks depending on width.
5. Cut the wick at the bottom even with the bottom of the candle.  Trim the wick at the top of the candle until it is about half an inch long.

You can find your beeswax sheets at a craft store, large natural living stores and online shops like Millers Honey.

Set your Holiday mood this season with beeswax candles that not only relax you, but clean the air and freshen your home in the process.

Tagged as: Green decor, Non-Toxic Family