Chemically scented candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. They emit toxic fumes, similar to what would happen if you had a diesel truck inside your house. Also, the artificial fragrances may contain potentially poisonous chemicals. These enter your lungs. Then, they travel to your bloodstream.
Scented candles smell nice. But they’re not good for you. Knowing what I know now, I’m horrified at what I was doing to our indoor environment.
Making Beeswax Candles from Scratch
Fortunately, there are other options. One is natural beeswax candles. They don’t pollute the air. They’re safe and they’ve been used for ages. They’re making a comeback. You can order them online, and you might even be able to find them in stores. Or, you can make your own beeswax candles with essential oils. I did this recently. It’s incredibly easy.
Making your own candles is fun. It can also potentially save money. Homemade products are almost always less expensive than buying anything off the shelf.
DIY Scented Candles With Essential Oils
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Essential oils are highly concentrated all natural plant-based extracts. They work just as well, if not a lot better, than chemicals, at covering up unpleasant cooking odors. Sometimes, I put essential oils in a cold air diffuser. I put this on the kitchen counter, and run it even when company isn’t coming. It’s believed that essential oils have mood elevating properties. (Even more reason to use them to scent your house.)
Making Scented Candles With Essential Oils
You can also send your essential oils airborne if you put them in candles. Natural organic beeswax is widely available. If you can’t find it locally, you can easily order it online. I prefer using small beeswax pellets instead of bars. That’s because beeswax takes a little longer to melt, compared to coconut oil and other plant-based emollients.
Making Aromatherapy Candles With Essential Oils
In DIY recipes, beeswax is often combined with natural oils. For instance, I use equal parts of beeswax pellets, coconut oil and shea butter to make my own essential oil balms. Melting pellets is infinitely easier than working with an entire bar of beeswax. If you already have bars, the other option would be shaving the bar into fine slices.
On social media channels, you’ll find all kinds of recipes for DIY scented beeswax candles. I decided to search for an easy one, and then adapt it. (Below, you can see a picture of my homemade beeswax candles.)
How to Make Beeswax Candles With Essential Oils
One method I found couldn’t be easier. It involves filling a Mason jar with beeswax and then slowly melting it in a pan of boiling water. I add a little bit of coconut oil because this melts before the beeswax, and seems to make the was melt easier. But don’t add too much. Otherwise your candle won’t be firm. For my small citrus rind candle, I used only about 3/4 teaspoon of organic coconut oil.
Before the beeswax mixture hardens, you add the essential oils of your choice. I used patchouli essential oil because I like its exotic smell. Make sure the beeswax is still liquid, and then add a lead-free cotton wick to the jar.
Or , for something different, you can make an all natural candle using sliced citrus fruit, with the meat removed, as you can see above. Then pour the liquid beeswax into the jar (or citrus rind). You may need to hold the end of the wick for a few minutes, until the beeswax hardens.
DIY Beeswax Candles With Essential Oil
I have a fairly large collection of essential oils. So I decided to use an oil that I’ve owned for awhile, before it goes bad. Essential oils don’t have an indefinite shelf life. So I like to use them up, before they start to smell off. That’s when I know it’s time to toss them. It still smells okay, so it’s suitable for a candle.
Essential oils that have started to go bad are still okay for some cleaning projects. But I’m careful not to inhale them. If you’re trying to decide what essential oils to use first, citrus oils, in general, have the shortest shelf life.)
Making Aromatherapy Candles With Essential Oils
You can use different types of essential oils depending upon the mood you want to create. For instance, lavender essential oil is an excellent choice if you want to create a relaxing atmosphere. This aromatic is frequently used by people who want to unwind. It’s one of my favorite insomnia remedies, since it seems to help put you to sleep if you inhale it at night.
DIY Beeswax Candles Scented
Citrus essential oils, on other hand, tend to be invigorating. One of my favorite scents is lemon essential oil. Or, you can use an aromatic blend. Oftentimes, I’ve put a germ-fighting blend in my diffuser during cold and flu season. This serves a dual purpose. It may offer potential protection from infectious disease. It also makes the house smell great. My daughter once told me it “smells like fall.”
Putting a germ-fighting blend in a DIY beeswax candle is also a good way to use up any leftover essential oils, from last year’s flu season. Or, you can add citronella essential oil for a mosquito-repelling candle.
Homemade non-toxic candles would make great gifts. For instance, you can find decorative tins online if you want to make your own tealight candles. I used to love to burn tealight candles, until I realized the paraffin versions were toxic.
How to Make Beeswax Candles from Scratch
No candle should ever be left unattended. This is true for DIY candles as well. Make sure to use a sturdy jar, and never leave your candle alone while its burning. For extra protection, also put it on a fireproof plate while it burns. Watch citrus rind candles especially closely. Always burn them on a heat-proof plate.
One of my uncles (God rest his soul) was a retired firefighter. He wasn’t a big fan of any type of candle. That’s because he probably saw one too many house fires, caused by candles.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
