Want to learn how to make beeswax candles? I’ll show you how in this post. These candles are beautiful to look at and help purify the air in your home.
Beeswax candles release negative ions in the air, which help remove toxins from the air. These candles are great for people with allergies. Their golden color is beautiful and has a rustic quality to it. (But so that you know, you can also buy white beeswax.)
Since candles can be expensive (especially the larger, natural ones) – I wanted to try DIY beeswax candlemaking. Good thing this couldn’t be any easier!
My method is simple and straightforward; all materials can be purchased online at Amazon. I’m thrilled with how they turned out, and you get a lot of bang for your buck with this method too. Let’s get started!
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Things You’ll Need
- 1 lb beeswax – I like this brand and this brand
- 2 cups of coconut oil
- Essential oils (optional)
- Dowel, clothespin, pencil, etc. (something to hold your wick upright and in the center as the wax hardens).
- Wicks – I like this brand.
- Wick stickers or hot glue (optional)
- A pretty jar to hold your candle. I used a large mercury glass jar and cleaned out the last remnants of a candle from the bottom. You can also use a mason jar or a thrifted find.
- Use an old pot or foil pan to melt your candles in. I used a cheap foil pan from the grocery store to throw it away when finished. Easy cleanup!
How to Make Beeswax Candles
Follow these steps to make your own beeswax candles.
Step 1: Set up Double Boiler
This is how I set up my double boiler. I filled a pan with water and brought it to a boil. Then I put my cheap foil pan on top.
Step 2: Make Beeswax Mixture
Pour your beeswax pellets and coconut oil into the foil pan and melt it. Stir it around a bit.
Step 3: Prepare your Candle Jars and Wicks
While the wax is melting, you can prepare your jars.
Hint: to clean the stubborn old wax out of your jar – use goo gone!!
To prepare the jars, I stuck my cotton wicks in them and wrapped the long wick around a dowel that rested on top. You can use wick stickers or hot glue to help your wick stick to the bottom center of your jar.Â
Remember that once you pour the wax in, the weight of it will help anchor your wick down.
Step 4: Add in Essential Oils (optional)
After your wax is fully melted, you can add essential oils. The trick to getting a more potent scent? Stir, stir, stir! This stirring helps the essential oils to incorporate into the wax and provide a good smell. I had 20 -30 drops!
You don’t have to add any scent, as beeswax has a light, sweet smell all on its own.
Step 5: Pour Wax into Jars
Now, carefully pour the melted wax in your prepared jars. Place the wick around a pencil, dowel, or through a clothespin to keep it centered. Wait for it to harden! After your wax hardens – trim your wick as necessary.
That’s it! My daughter said this candle smells “so good – like lotion.” Beeswax has a very faint smell of honey on its own. I found it was a clean burn too. No smoke for me!
This recipe made one giant candle for me. My jar is 5 inches in diameter and 5 inches tall, and I filled it just about to the top.
How to Prevent Candle Tunneling with Your Beeswax Candles
The only issue for me is candle tunneling (my candle is wide, which doesn’t help), but I picked up a few tips to help prevent this.Â
(1) Don’t trim your wick too short initially.
(2) Burn your candle for a long time the first time so it melts out to the sides of the entire top layer of wax.
You can read more about candle tunneling here.
I love the candlemaking process; the beeswax candles are healthy and all-natural. Next time I will add some essential oils and maybe another wick or two (if I’m making a large size again).
These candles would make an excellent gift for someone too!
