How to Make Homemade Natural Candles
Before paraffin and other candle waxes, housewives made candles from natural ingredients such as beeswax and cotton. Most often these candles were made into tapers for the traditional candlestick holder and are as simple to make today as they were a hundred years ago.
Things You'll Need
- Beeswax
- Cotton wicks
- 2-inch wide heavy cardboard or wooden board 4-inch long
- Wooden rack
- Tall empty asparagus cans
- Saucepan
- Newspaper
Instructions
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1
Wash the empty asparagus cans. Fill the empty cans approximately 3/4 full of beeswax.
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2
Measure enough cotton wick to fit from the bottom of one can, over the top of the 2-inch wide board to the bottom of the second can.
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3
Set the two beeswax cans in a saucepan and fill the saucepan half full with water. Turn the heat on low and allow the beeswax to melt.
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4
Drape the wick evenly over the cardboard wooden piece. Dip the cotton wick into the cans. Using the board raise the wicks above the cans and let drip. Continue this procedure until the taper candles are as the desired size.
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5
Set a small wooden rack, much like a dish rack, over newspaper to protect your table or counter top from dripping wax. Hang the candles over a wooden rack to finish drying.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Beeswax can also be poured into molds fitted with cotton wicks.
Beeswax should always be melted by indirect heat in a double boiler or other set up using warm water.
Beeswax can also be purchased in formed sheets. Simply lay a length of wick at one end of the sheet and roll the sheet tightly to make a candle.
Hemp string can be substituted for cotton wicks.
You can also hang taper candles over a clothes hanger hung from a ceiling hook if a rack isn’t available.
Always supervise children closely when making candles. A single drop of melted wax can cause a painful burn.
