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Have you ever wondered how beautiful and heartwarming it would be to create your own scented candle at home? Many women in Latvia and the Baltic countries are discovering that candle making is becoming a special, peaceful, and creative hobby that allows them to express themselves and at the same time create a beautiful gift for themselves or others.
Homemade candles allow you to choose colors, shapes, and scents exactly to your liking. However, it all starts with the most important thing — choosing the wax, because it is the wax that determines how the candle burns, how strongly the scent spreads, and how safe it will be for everyday use.
Although the candle burner is also important, the wax is the “heart” of the candle. At LumiVera, we most often use soy wax, but we also offer coconut, beeswax, olive and gel wax. Each of these options has its own advantages, which we will explain in more detail in this article to help you choose a safe and environmentally friendly candle material.
Why is wax choice important when casting candles at home?
Candle wax is not just a filler — it is the foundation of the candle, which will determine whether your candle will burn beautifully, emit a pleasant aroma, and be safe for long-term use. Each type of wax has its own properties that affect burn time, flame stability, and fragrance intensity.
The choice of wax directly affects:
- whether the candle will produce too much smoke or soot,
- Will the flame be even and stable?
- how well the chosen fragrance will spread,
- and whether burning will also be safe in rooms where children or pets are present.
It is important to understand that different waxes interact differently with candle burners. If the burner and wax are not matched, the candle may burn unevenly, tunnel, or even leak out of the container. This is why we, at LumiVera Workshop, always emphasize the importance of quality wax along with the appropriate burner selection.
Additionally, if you are planning to make an eco-friendly candle, natural waxes (such as soy or beeswax) will be more suitable for a healthy and clean environment. They do not produce heavy petroleum residues that can make it difficult to breathe, and are especially safe for use even when burning frequently at home.
What natural waxes are available, and how do you choose them?
Natural waxes are becoming increasingly popular because they are not only environmentally friendly, but also safer for your health. This is especially important when using candles at home, as pure, natural wax reduces the release of soot and toxic substances.
Beeswax
- Obtained from the beehive, with a delicate honey aroma
- Gives the candle a yellowish, warm hue
- Burns longer and produces a strong, stable flame
- Higher cost, but natural and aesthetically very attractive
Soy wax
- Made from soybeans, renewable and natural
- Burns slowly, evenly, with very little soot
- Holds aroma very well and enhances scent
- This is the most commonly used wax in the LumiVera range.
Coconut wax
- White, soft, with a clean, calm burn
- Especially suitable for scented and decorative candles
- Often mixed with soy wax to give a stiffer structure
- Perfect for cozy, soft scents
Olive wax
- Lesser known, but environmentally friendly and safe for health
- Often used in blends with soy or coconut wax
- Gives the candle a gentle, natural aroma and good burning quality
How to choose?
When considering natural wax, it's important to check how well it holds the scent, whether it's suitable for the size of the burner you've chosen, and whether the candle will be strong enough. If you want to experiment with shapes or scents, you can definitely mix and match different waxes to find the best solution for your needs.
What about mineral and synthetic waxes - what to consider?
Although natural waxes are becoming increasingly popular, mineral and synthetic waxes are still used in many places, which can be cheaper and more readily available. However, their properties differ significantly and require more careful consideration, especially if you plan to burn candles at home frequently or with children.
Paraffin
- The most common and cheapest wax
- Made from petroleum products
- Burns well, but can produce more soot and potentially irritate the respiratory tract
- Not recommended if you want an eco-friendly candle or if you will be using the candle indoors for a long time.
Stearin
- Made from vegetable or animal fats
- Often added to other waxes to make them harder
- Burns stably, but the aroma lasts longer
- Good as an additive, but rarely used as the only wax
Gel wax
- Transparent and creates an interesting design effect
- Holds aroma well
- Use with caution as it operates at higher temperatures
- Suitable for decorative candles, but requires special supervision
Tip!
If you're making candles with children or plan to burn them every day, definitely opt for natural waxes. They're safer for your health, produce less soot, and don't make you worry about the air quality in your home.
How to choose the right wax for your candles?
When choosing a wax, it's important to consider not only the beauty of the candle, but also its functionality and safety. Each wax behaves differently, so here are some essential tips to help you find the best solution for your needs.
Candle size and shape
- For large and thick candles, it is better to use soy or beeswax, which burn longer and more stably.
- For smaller, designer, or transparent candles, gel or coconut wax will work well.
Fragrance persistence
- Soy wax is particularly good at highlighting aromas and retaining scent
- Beeswax gives a gentle, natural scent even without oils
- Coconut wax is good for mild, natural scents
Burner suitability
- The thickness of the burner must be adjusted to the diameter of the candle
- Too narrow a torch can cause tunneling
- A burner that is too wide can overheat and produce smoke.
- The quality of the burner, together with the wax, is the basis for a safe candle
An environmentally and health-friendly choice
- If you burn candles frequently or with children, it is recommended to use natural waxes.
- They emit less soot and do not irritate the respiratory tract.
Experiment and find your ideal
- Many masters mix different waxes, such as soy and coconut, to achieve both a good aroma and a beautiful burn.
- Don't be afraid to test different options, because that's how you create the best candle for you.
Tips and common mistakes in candle casting
To create beautiful and safe candles at home, it's worth paying attention to some of the most common mistakes beginners often make. Here, we've compiled the most important recommendations for safe and successful candle making.
Temperature control
- If the wax is overheated (above 90°C), it can damage the aroma and even create dangerous fumes.
- If the wax is too cold (below 50°C), it will not adhere well to the container and may crack.
- Recommendation : use a thermometer and keep it around 70–80 °C
Burner selection
- A burner that is too narrow will create a tunnel where the wax only burns out in the middle
- A burner that is too wide can produce excessive heat and smoke.
- Recommendation : match the burner size to the candle diameter
Amount of aroma
- Adding too much fragrance can make the wax unstable.
- Too little fragrance - the smell will be very weak
- Recommendation : stick to 6–8% of the total wax weight
Preparing dishes and molds
- Dirty or damp dishes can cause air bubbles and an unsightly surface
- Check the silicone mold for microcracks
- Recommendation : always thoroughly dry and inspect before pouring
Child safety
- When working with children, be sure to use natural waxes, which are healthier.
- Never leave hot wax unattended.
- Recommendation : Only allow children to help with the decoration, not with the pouring of hot wax.
Hardening
- If the candle is lit too quickly, the aroma may not spread properly.
- The burning will be unstable if the wax has not yet completely hardened.
- Recommendation : Let the candle sit for at least 24-48 hours
Eco-friendly wax solutions
If you want to create a candle that not only looks beautiful, but is also safe for your health and the environment, definitely consider using natural waxes. These waxes are derived from plant or bee products and do not contain petroleum residues or other harmful additives.
Why choose natural waxes?
- They burn cleaner, produce less soot and smoke
- Does not emit carcinogenic substances that can make breathing difficult
- Safer for use in families with children and pets
- Enhances the scent better because there are no synthetic impurities
- Made from renewable resources and environmentally friendly
At our LumiVera workshop, soy and coconut waxes are particularly popular, as they perfectly combine both aesthetics and environmental friendliness. We believe that clean and natural candles can create peace, harmony and a healthy atmosphere in every home.
Conclusion
Making candles at home is a beautiful and creative way to make your everyday life warmer and more special. By choosing the right wax, you can be sure that your candle will burn steadily, spread a pleasant aroma, and will not harm your health.
Natural waxes, such as soy, beeswax, or coconut, are a great choice if you want to create an environmentally friendly and healthy candle that will truly delight you and your family. Mineral and synthetic waxes may seem more economical, but they are not as suitable for frequent use, especially in homes where air quality is important.
We, at LumiVera, are convinced that a natural and high-quality candle can improve your mood, create coziness and become a beautiful gift for your loved ones. Are you ready to try your first eco-candle ? Try it and share your impressions!