How to Make Beeswax Crayons
Parents have increasingly sought ways to make non-toxic crayons at home since hearing stories of lead and asbestos in commercial crayons. Beeswax is an inexpensive, safe material out of which crayons can be made at home. This article details one simple beeswax crayon recipe.
Things You'll Need
- 1 part beeswax
- 1 part soap, grated (Glycerin works for harder crayons. Commercial bar soaps work for softer ones).
- paste food coloring (found in the cake decorating aisle)
- Soup cans
- Large pot
- Small candy molds or cookie cutters
- Wax paper
- Potholders
- Vegetable oil
Instructions
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Making Your Beeswax Crayons
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1
Fill the pot with water about halfway up. Boil water in the pot.
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2
Place the beeswax in a soup can and place the can in the boiling water.
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3
Once the beeswax is melted, add grated soap. Stir until the soap melts and the mixture is smooth.
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4
Add paste food coloring until you have the color you desire.
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5
Coat your molds with a thin layer of vegetable oil. If you use cookie cutters, put them on a piece of wax paper on a flat surface.
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6
Using pot holders to lift the can from the water, carefully pour the mixture into your molds. For cookie cutters, make sure to hold the cutters steady while you pour. Quickly place a heavy object such as a book on top of the cutter (if possible depending on the shape of the cutter) to ensure that the mixture doesn't leak out of the sides.
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7
Allow the molds to cool. When they are cool to the touch, gently remove the hardened crayons. Then start coloring!
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use a different soup can for each color.
Be careful when handling the hot soup cans. The wax mixture is hot and may cause burns.
