Key Factors Determining Your Candle Wax Choice
When you decide to make candles at home, you might be tempted to pick any wax type from a local store. However, most people do not know that specific factors should guide the kind of wax they choose. The reason is that different types of resin, soy, bees, and paraffin wax have varying properties that affect candle performance. This article highlights the top factors affecting candle wax choice.
Scent Throw
Scented candles have become popular over the years due to their ability to transform ambience. Although some fragrances are stronger than others, the type of wax you choose plays an integral role in how far the smell spreads in a room. For instance, soy wax is the best choice if you want candles in small spaces such as a bathroom. The reason is that soy wax has a subtle scent throw; hence, the fragrance does not diffuse past a bathroom space. The last thing you want is your hallway or kitchen smelling like your bathroom. On the other hand, paraffin wax has an excellent scent throw; therefore, its fragrant smell spreads further across a room, making it the perfect choice for larger spaces.
Preparation Space
If you are making candles as a hobby or for personal use, you can do it from a garage or the basement. However, since these are closed spaces, you must be very careful about the type of wax you choose to work with. The reason is that paraffin wax gives off a chemical called toluene, which evaporates in the air and can cause headaches. Therefore, it is advisable to melt paraffin wax in an open garage with enough air circulation rather than an enclosed room. Conversely, you can make candles inside your house if you opt for soy or beeswax because they are natural. Consequently, their fumes do not contain substances that affect the body system.
Decorative Desire
Today, coloured candles are made in two different ways. First, you can buy plain wax and dye and then mix the two together to achieve the desired hue or shade. If you are making coloured candles for the first time, this method can be tricky because you need the right amount of dye for a specific amount of wax. It might take you a couple of tries to get the right colour consistency per batch, which is why only experienced candle makers use the technique. The second and probably the easiest method of making coloured candles is using pre-blended candle wax. Pre-blended wax means that the resin is already mixed with dye in the correct ratio and all you have to do is melt it.
If you need candle making supplies, talk to a craft store in your area.
Share
