With their soft, ambient glow and scrumptious scent profile, candles make a beautiful addition to any room. They can set the mood for an intimate dinner, add a delicate light at sunset, or release aromatherapeutic benefits prior to bedtime. Most conventional candles contain toxins that release soot and other harsh chemicals that are harmful to the air you breathe. Conventional candles are also commonly made with paraffin wax, which is a convenient yet unsustainable by-product of crude oil. Handmaking your own candles is a great way to utilize your creativity, control the ingredients that are being used, and ensure that the candle is a safe addition to your home. DIY candles are also typically less expensive than their store-bought counterparts. Whether you are a beginner or experienced chandler, the owner of an aromatherapy business, or take up candle making as a hobby, choosing the right candlewax for your project depends on the type of candle you wish to make, since some waxes work better for some types of candles than others. The candle wax or wax blend you choose also determines the environmental impact of your candles, as well as the burn, scent throw, and color hold.
TYPES OF CANDLES
Pillar Candles: Pilar candles are long, individual candles that stand on their own without a container. Paraffin, beeswax, palm or soy waxes are recommended for making this type of candle. Wax blends such as palm and soy can also work to make Pillar candles.
Container Candles: These are thick, cylindrical candles made specifically to sit inside a container such as a glass jar or metal tin. May or may not include a lid on top. Since these candles are supported by a container, virtually any wax can be used to make them, including soy, soy/paraffin blends, paraffin, palm, and beeswax.
Votive Candles: Small, short candles of about 2 ½ inches in height. Designed to sit in small glass containers. Similar to Container candles, Votive candles can be made with a variety of waxes and wax blends.
Tealight Candles: Very small candles with a 1 ½ inch diameter and a height of only ¾ of an inch. Made to sit in small containers made of plastic or cylindrical metal. These petite candles can be made with most waxes, including wax blends.
Taper Candles: Long and slim candles that sit in candlesticks. Paraffin and beeswax are recommended for making this type of candle.
THE PROBLEM WITH PARAFFIN CANDLE WAX
As the most popular candle wax on the market, Paraffin is the most economical candle fuel to produce. Available in several different grades, Paraffin wax offers a stronger fragrance hold, farther scent throw, and can be molded in a plethora of different shapes. It can also be poured into tins or glass containers.
However, being a by-product of crude oil refinement, Paraffin wax produces a large ecological footprint. It takes a very long time to biodegrade, even if it is not discarded right away. Since excess processing and additives go into Paraffin Wax, it has the potential to release harmful chemicals into the environment. Burning Paraffin candles also poses the risk of causing respiratory irritation in unventilated spaces and has been discovered to emit small amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as Toluene and Benzene, which are known carcinogens.
NDA’S LINE OF CANDLE WAXES AND THEIR BENEFITS
NatureWax C3 Soy Container Wax
Our NatureWax C3 Soy Wax is an all-natural blend of soybean oil and other soy-based additives. The soybeans are harvested, cleaned, cracked, de-hulled, and rolled into flakes. The oil is extracted from the flakes, while any leftover flakes are used for animal feed. Boasting seamless jar adhesion, minimal frosting, and exceptional scent throw, NatureWax C-3 is a natural, cost-effective choice for experienced chandlers and produces stunning candles. Features include:
- Outstanding Fragrance Holding Abilities
- Further scent throw when burning
- Slower burn, resulting in a longer-lasting burn time than paraffin candles
- Better value for your money
- A Melting Point between 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit, making soy wax an energy-efficient choice.
- 50% longer shelf life than paraffin candles
- 90% less soot emission than paraffin candles
NatureWax C-6 Soy/Coconut Container Wax
This rich and creamy blend of Soy and Coconut is an eco-friendly yet luxurious alternative to Paraffin. Derived from two renewable materials, NatureWax C-6 Soy/Coconut wax provides through jar adhesion with a single pour, providing a smooth top with no shrinkage or wet spots. This blend is ideal for sleek, sophisticated container candles as well as tealights. Features include:
- A high scent load of up to 10%
- Strong cold and hot scent throw
- Strong frost resistance
- Ability to hold dyes and provide vivid colors
- An average pour temperature of 160-170 degrees Fahrenheit
NatureWax Elite- 200 Soy/Palm Container Wax
Another exceptional eco-friendly option, the NatureWax Elite- 200 Soy/Palm blend boasts a harder, frost-resistant wax that adheres to molds easily. This wax also possesses an impressive flexibility that allows for experimentation with unique shapes. With a single-pour formula and improved fragrance, the NatureWax Elite provides consistency when producing multiple candles at once. Features include:
- Excellent ability to hold both liquid and powdered candle dyes, displaying stunning, even color distribution.
- Seamless texture with no frosting or fat blooms.
- The ability to retain a high scent load of up to 12%.
- Strong cold and hot scent throw.
- A long-lasting, cleaner burn with less soot than Paraffin.
- Average pour temperature of 180-185 degrees Fahrenheit
- Recommended for container and tealight candles
NatureWax Elite- 300 Palm Pillar Wax
Versatile and sustainable, the NatureWax Elite- 300 Palm Pillar Wax is a convenient, high-performing blend that a safe alternative to Paraffin. It also provides a sturdier and stronger finish than soy wax and other plant-based waxes. NatureWax Elite- 300 Palm is recommended for pillar candles, votive candles, taper candles, wax melts and tealights. Features include:
- A seamless mold release that keeps the shape and integrity of the candle when separating from the mold.
- Can be poured at cooler or hotter temperatures to create a variety of finishes and unique textures.
- Blends seamlessly with liquid or powdered dyes for even, beautiful colors.
- Improved fragrance, with a high scent load of up to 5%.
- A cleaner, slower burn that is kind to the environment and your wallet.
See our full candle supplies section.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CANDLE WAX FOR YOUR CANDLES
Whether you are making candles for the first time, are experienced, attending a candle-making class, or are an aromatherapy business owner, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right wax for your candles. Along with the type of candle you want to make, think about your candle preferences and your values around sustainability. Some questions to ask yourself when deciding on a wax type include:
- Do you want a smokeless burn?
- Is using natural wax important to you?
- Do you wish to make an eco-friendly candle?
- What type of scent throw do you want to create?
- What kind of finish do you want your candles to have?
- What is your business budget for purchasing candle wax?
Since NDA offers two wax blends and two singular wax types, choosing a blend of two or more waxes may help you create your own signature blend that makes your candle even more unique, and your brand stand out.
CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR NDA’S CANDLE WAXES
To ensure optimal performance, we strongly recommend first-time users conduct a test run on a small batch before using the wax in full-scale production. For more information, please click here (for Smooth Product Handling Sheet) or here (for Texture Product Handling Sheet).
Do not use copper or brass tools or containers when working with soy wax, as the copper and brass will discolor the wax.