Candle making just keeps increasing in popularity. This increasing popularity has led to some great advancement in the types of candle making wax that is available. Not only has it improved, but it is also more readily available. This makes candle making even more exciting as you have such a wide variety of wax to work with.

Paraffin wax, abundantly available and inexpensive, is the type of wax used in most candles today. This wax, like many, is refined from petroleum. Although very easy to work with, it burns fairly quickly.

Another category of waxes that is becoming more and more popular are natural waxes. These are refined from plant or vegetable material. Perhaps the most popular of these is soy. Soy wax, an eco friendly, renewable resource, is processed by hydrogenating soybeans.

Natural waxes have become very popular. People have become conscious of the environment and like eco- friendly products. Two popular natural waxes are bayberry and beeswax. Beeswax is the most expensive but has the highest quality. It burns very clean, lasts a long time, and holds fragrances very well.

Making candles out of natural products has gained in popularity. Waxes like bayberry and beeswax are two in particular. Beeswax, although very expensive, is popular due to its fine qualities of a nice fragrance, hardiness, and fine burning characteristics. It is available in two choices of color, white and yellow.

Perhaps the most popular candle making wax of all is paraffin wax. This wax, like many, is refined from petroleum. It is readily available and is very inexpensive. Although it doesn’t burn as clean as other wax, it is very easy to work with and is the choice for many beginning candle makers.

The density that you need depends on the amount of fragrance you want to use. If you plan on using a lot of fragrance you will need a high density wax. Low density wax, with the advantage of being able to pour it at a lower temperature, is best for lower fragrances (0-3% load). For 3-5% load go with medium density.

As you can see, there are a number of different waxes to choose from. As a candle maker, you can try out new things just by using a different type of candle making wax. As you experiment and learn the different characteristics of different types of waxes it opens up many possibilities in your candle making.

Our author Patrick McTigue is a candle making enthusiast. For more excellent information on candle making, visit http://www.candlemakingsuccessplan.com/how-to-make-candles/.

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