Endless Green

Candle Waxes From Endless Green

Candle waxes fall into two categories. Firstly are the pillar waxes, which are used to make traditional moulded candles, and secondly container/full melt waxes, which are used to make candles that remain in their containers to burn. (Glade/Airwick type candles use this sort of wax).  Both types are available in paraffin wax and natural vegetable waxes. Paraffin waxes and natural waxes can be mixed together to create your own blend or to use up your old candles and make into new ones. You can add pillar waxes to container waxes to make new container candles but do not add container wax to pillar waxes when making moulded candles as it will make the candles too soft.

The most common (and cheapest) of the waxes is Paraffin Wax,(Candlemaking : Paraffin Candle Wax) which is a by product of the petrochemical industry. Our paraffin wax is of the highest quality, purified and refined using modern, environmentally friendly technology and contains no hazardous ingredients.  Its environmental properties are characterised by its good biodegradability, non-cumulative effects and is harmless to wildlife. The low oil content produces a good, clean burning candle and as this wax is largely colourless it gives a good depth of colour when dyed. This wax is available in three forms from our Ebay shop. Unblended paraffin wax is suitable for most candle applications, including rubber moulds, but needs to be blended with a harder wax to make taller candles and to create longer burning candles.  Blended paraffin wax contains an additional wax called stearin. This is a natural palm wax which hardens the paraffin wax making it suitable for taller candles and increases the burning time. This wax is not suitable for use in rubber moulds as the stearin content will perish them. Pillar waxes become liquid around 60°C and are best poured at a temperature around 70°C. Container paraffin wax is a soft, one pour wax for container/jar candles that are to remain in the mould to burn. The wax is formulated to cling to the side of the container leaving no gaps and this, along with the fact that it is a very soft wax, makes it unsuitable for moulded candles. This wax will be liquid around 46°C, but heat to around 60°C before pouring.

Rapeseed (Candlemaking : Soy & Rapeseed Waxes) is a renewable wax refined to the highest standards in the UK from non genetically modified rapeseed grown in the UK and Europe. It is made from the rapeseed oil and contains no hazardous ingredients and is not harmful to the environment. Rapeseed is an agricultural crop widely grown for use in the production of cooking oils, bio fuels and now candle waxes, filling approximately 1.5 million acres of British farmland with its bright yellow flowers during early summer.  Rapeseed wax is now becoming more popular due to public awareness of the environmental damage that is caused by transporting goods over long distances.  Rapeseed pillar wax is suitable for moulded candles and can be blended with harder waxes, such as stearin or beeswax, for taller candles. Pour at a temperature between 65°C and 75°C.  Rapeseed container wax is a softer one pour wax for container/jar candles and is not suitable for moulded candles. Pour at a temperature between 50°C and 70°C. Rapeseed has a sweet smell and its own natural cream colour that does not require the use of a dye, but can be dyed if required, and the results will be more pastel shades when compared to paraffin candles. Holding the wax at a high temperature will result in the wax discolouring. We have pillar and container rapeseed available in our Ebay shop.

Our Soya wax (Candlemaking : Soy & Rapeseed Waxes) is produced from non GM crops grown on responsibly managed plantations in the USA and refined to the highest standards. Soya has received bad press in recent years due to the large scale deforestation of important rainforest (particularly in South America) which has occurred to increase its production, and you should question the source of cheaper soya waxes. Our soya wax contains only natural vegetable matter, is non hazardous and does not harm wildlife or the environment.  Pillar Soya wax is suitable for moulded candles and the addition of a harder wax, such as stearin or beeswax, is advisable for tall candles. Can be poured from 55°C upwards but should be heated to around 68°C before adding dyes and fragrances.  Soya container wax is a one pour wax for container/jar candles and has a very low melt point. It can be poured at temperatures as low as 38°C, but should be heated to 68°C before adding dyes and fragrances. Holding the wax at a high temperature will result in the wax discolouring. Soya wax has a natural cream colour that does not require the use of a dye but can be dyed to achieve more pastel shades when compared to paraffin wax. We have soya wax available in pillar and container form in our Ebay shop.

Stearin (Candlemaking : Candle Wicks & Accessories) is used to harden candle waxes and helps stop tall candles bending and slumping, and also increases burning time. Use at 5% to 30% in paraffin waxes to produce a longer burning candle and also improve the depth of colour of dyed candles. Can be used in soya and rapeseed waxes without compromising their natural properties, as this is also a natural vegetable wax. Natural waxes are harder than paraffin waxes so do not add too much stearin (use the lower end of the scale) as otherwise you may end up with a very hard candle that will burn with a very small flame.

Beeswax (Candlemaking : Beeswax For Candles) is a by product of honey production, has a natural aroma and has been used for centuries to make candles and polishes. It is naturally yellow in colour, although the depth of colour varies depending on the season it was harvested and also the plants that the bees foraged from. Our beeswax has been lightly refined to remove impurities and turn it into pellet form. This process also removes some (but not all) of the beeswax natural stickiness, making it better suited to candle making, as it is less lightly to get stuck in your mould. Beeswax gives off negative ions when burning and acts as a natural air purifier, helping remove toxins given off by carpets, soft furnishings and paints and also helps remove airborne viruses.  Beeswax can also be purchased in a more refined white form (varies from off white to pale yellow) which is suitable for adding candle dyes to but, as with other natural coloured waxes, the results will be more pastel when compared to paraffin wax. Beeswax is a very hard wax and is traditionally used in church candles and is excellent for adding to other waxes, particularly paraffin wax, to make tall candles.