One of the most relaxing crafts that one can do is candle making. There are so many different scents and colors that you can use allowing you to fully express yourself creatively. There is also a calmness that comes over you when you pour your candles.
Candles have been made from paraffin wax for centuries but slowly, many people have started looking at other sources that are more eco-friendly and burn better. Soy wax is one such contender that has increasingly become the main ingredient in the candles being made today.
Different types of oils are also being added to candles to reap their aromatherapy benefits while adding a touch of elegance to your home. Coconut oil is a great oil that has many health benefits not only when applied but also when consumed.
So, is it a good idea to add coconut oil to soy wax? Adding coconut oil to soy wax can be helpful, but because coconut oil has a different melting point than soy wax, it must be used sparingly in soy wax candles. It will keep the wax soft and will likely sweat on hotter days. Coconut wax is better for candles.
In this quick guide, we’ll go over the basics of coconut wax with the pros and cons of using it in candle making. We will also talk about if you should be using coconut wax or if soy wax is better.
Can You Add Coconut Oil to Soy Wax?
While you can add coconut oil to soy wax easily for different projects, this isn’t always ideal for candles.
Coconut oil has melting point that is much lower than soy wax and so it may separate and sweat easily. On a hot day your candle may be too soft and susceptible to finger imprints.
However, if you are careful, you can use coconut oil to add a scent to your candle and make it smell sweet and like fresh coconuts. If you’re going to add coconut oil to soy wax, keep it light: about 1 tsp of coconut oil per pound of wax.
An easier solution is to simply use coconut wax instead!
How is Coconut Wax Made?
Coconut wax is one of the most eco-friendly waxes that you can find on the market. Whether you have been making candles for a long time or are trying it for the first time, coconut wax is a great place to start from.
Now, you may get confused and think that coconut wax and coconut oil are the same things, but in reality, these two are very different from each other. Coconut oil has a low melting point and does not yield very good results as it is.
Coconut oil is, however, used to make coconut wax. The oil is put through a hydrogenation process that transforms it into a creamy white wax. The melting point of this wax product increases by a few degrees, although the coconut scent is removed.
After this process, a few natural vegetable waxes are added to the coconut wax to further stabilize the wax and give it a higher melting point. This enables the coconut wax to be solid at room temperature and not melt when exposed to a hot environment.
Is Coconut Wax Good for Candle Making?
Coconut wax is very easy to work with when you are making candles. It is one of the best waxes that you can use in candlemaking and is a very good natural alternative to soy wax and paraffin wax.
Coconut wax is made naturally and has a high yield, producing plenty of wax from fewer coconuts meaning you get more without wasting too much crop.
It goes through a process of hydrogenation and is filtered and cleaned which gives you a 100% natural, and fully biodegradable wax.
Candles made from coconut wax burn slower than any other wax in the market allowing you to enjoy your candles much longer. Coconut wax also has an even burn which means no uneven edges stuck to the sides of the jar.
If you are making candles with fragrances or essential oils, using coconut wax is the best option for you. The oils blend well with coconut wax and have an amazing scent throw when the candle is lit.
Candles made of coconut wax are also smokeless and soot-free which means you don’t have to worry about any carcinogens being put out into the air.
Apart from the benefits that coconut wax brings to your candle making and burning experience, it is an environmentally friendly option. Deforestation is not associated with coconut wax and coconuts are grown without any pesticides or herbicides meaning it has no negative impacts on the world around you.
Is Coconut Wax Better Than Soy Wax?
If you’re new to the candle-making world, you will have come across many suggestions that say that soy wax is one of the most popular waxes that you can use. There are also other options such as paraffin wax and beeswax.
Paraffin wax comes from petroleum or coal and so is not sustainable or environmentally friendly. Beeswax is considered environmentally friendly, though not necessarily vegan, but it won’t carry the scent well.
Faced with these options, soy wax seems like the best option out there for some.
Well, what if we told you that coconut wax is the best option that you can find for candle making? Coconut wax is vegan and very friendly to the environment as you will be using something that is made without any pesticides or herbicides and does not require any deforestation.
Soy wax candles burn as clean as can be but coconut wax candles not only burn cleaner, they also have a longer burn time, lasting you much more than your average soy wax candles.
If you are using scents that you love in your candles, coconut wax is a better option for you as oils and scents bond better with this wax and the throw of your candle is great. Soy wax candles will throw a lot of scent but not as efficiently as coconut wax candles.
Looking to buy some new wax to make candles? We suggest giving coconut wax a try. It may be hard to find as it is relatively new in the market, but if you can get your hands on it, you are going to make some beautiful smelling candles that will burn evenly and last you a long time.
Conclusion
Whether you are new to candle making or have been in the game for a few years, you will have heard of all the different waxes that you can use. One of the best options that is in the market nowadays is coconut wax.
Coconut wax is made from hydrogenating coconut oil and is stabilized by adding a few natural waxes. It can increase the burn time of your candles and the scent throw from coconut wax candles is pretty great.
It is an eco-friendly wax. You don’t have to worry about any carcinogens in your home and you won’t be hurting the environment by buying it either.
We hope this guide helps you understand what coconut wax is and how it can benefit you in the art of candle making. Now, grab your jars and essential oils, and get pouring some coconut wax candles!
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