www.GeneralWax.com
The Candle Superstore
The Candle Superstore
Knowing which wax to use for your candle-making projects is essential to becoming a better candle maker. But also knowing your wax’s shelf life and knowing how to store your wax is crucial to being more efficient and saving more money in the long run. Over time, your wax will begin to lose its ability to hold scent and color due to the natural deterioration of its organic elements. Most waxes can be stored for a year or close to two depending on how it is kept and where it is kept.
To have a more in-depth understating of why natural waxes expire with age, we must first understand the science behind it all. Like all natural products, the elements are derived from plants and other natural resources. All organic life forms eventually deteriorate with time, including the natural products used in candle wax. While there are synthetic waxes that may last over a lifetime if stored correctly, the performance of your candles will noticeably decline when using non-natural waxes.
Knowing how to properly store your wax is important in extending the life of the product. The first thing to consider when storing your wax is the temperature at which your wax is being held. Having your wax in an environment with a higher temperature can cause your wax to deteriorate at an extended rate.
Keeping your wax in a cooled environment will protect the chemical bonds within your wax from being altered or destroyed. Making sure to keep your wax sealed will also assist in delaying the product from expiring sooner than you would have wanted. Once the wax has been fully melted and cooled, it can still be housed within a suitable environment to prevent the candle from expiring before it can be lit. Make sure to also consider the melting point of the wax before choosing where to store it in. A wax like Paraffin, which has a lower melting point than other waxes, can not be held within a warm closed environment with no airflow. This will likely cause your wax to melt within its packaging making it unusable.
One last thing to consider when storing your wax would be the light that the wax would be exposed to. Natural sunlight can cause chemical reactions within the wax due to the harmful UV rays contained within the sunlight. Artificial light can also have the same effect, although not as immediate as sunlight. It would be best to keep your wax within a dark environment in order to improve the life span of the wax. Best to keep your wax away from non-cooled areas and keep away from the sun!
While most waxes can last over a year if stored correctly, there are several factors that can affect your wax’s life span. As discussed before, the temperature will have the most impact on how long your wax can perform at its peak while it slowly deteriorates. Even if your wax is held within a room with a lower temperature, you may want to consider how much sunlight is being exposed to the wax.
Sunlight is known to have harmful UV rays that can disrupt the chemical bonds with natural waxes. Because natural waxes do not contain additives that contain a UV Protectant, they are more likely to lose any ability to hold scent or color due to the UV rays of the sunlight affecting the chemical makeup of the wax.
Although additives may help slightly with preventing a chemical reaction from UV rays, over time the additives will deteriorate just as any other chemical would when exposed to harmful UVs. Humidity also plays a key role in affecting the performance of your wax. Humidity can cause unwanted air bubbles making the candle unappealing and less effective in holding scent. Due to the difference in temperature, humidity affects the way your wax cools, leaving unwanted cracks or bubbles within your final product. While humidity affects more of the performance of the wax rather than the life span, it is still important to keep away from humid places in order to sustain the life and performance of your candles.
Pillar candles are the quintessential example of just how unique candle makers can be when using their imagination to the fullest! Pillar candles are great for decorative purposes due to their longevity and design, as well as being the perfect gift for any special occasion. While these types of candles are not particularly easy to make, they are a perfect way for an experienced candle maker to take their skills to the next level.
Having a wax that can retain its shape once it has begun melting is crucial to the performance of a pillar candle. Having a wax with a low melting point and an ability to dry quickly once cooled is essential to making a successful pillar candle. Having a wax that does not require it to be encased in order to retain its figure is also key to having a great candle. The wax that meets all the criteria for making amazing pillar candles would be Paraffin Wax. Paraffin wax has a low melting point of 140° F making it ideal for the wax to be used in molds. Due to the low melting point, paraffin wax dries quicker once it is cooled, making your candles last longer. While other pillar candles have no ability to hold scent, paraffin wax has a great scent throw making it more versatile than the rest. Having a wax that can hold both color and scent well is ideal for having a pillar candle that can top the rest.
A common misconception people have when attempting to make pillar candles for the first time is the idea that any wax would work with molds. Although the idea of container wax being compatible with pillar candles makes sense in theory, in practice we see the clear shortcomings of using container wax. Due to the wax’s high melting point, once the pillar begins to melt we see how the wax spills over rather than dripping slowly from the sides. This causes the pillar to dry slower which results in the wax clumping up at the bottom of the pillar.
This is ineffective when seeking a longer burn time, and it is also very unappealing to look at compared to other pillar candles. These clumps that develop at the bottom of the pillar can also stain the surfaces on that the candle is being held. Overall, while in theory container wax would be a great fit for creating a pillar candle, container wax must have a suitable vessel to encase the wax within in order to perform up its standard.
One of the best things about paraffin wax is its versatility when it comes to different forms of candle making. Because the wax has a low melting point, it allows for the wax to cool quicker resulting in the wax being easier to mold. This is one reason why the wax works so well for pillar candles, but it also applies to why it would be the best option for novelty candles. Some examples of novelty candles include birthday candles, sculpted candles, holiday figures, and many other unique candle types that don’t require the wax to be encased or stood up. Novelty candles work as great gifts, as well as unique decorative pieces.
Like pillar candles, novelty candles require wax that won’t spill over rather than drip slowly while burning. While novelty candles can be difficult to create for first-time candle makers, we wouldn’t recommend shying away from giving them a try. These candles are super fun to make, and with the right tools at hand, you can be creating amazing pieces of candles for everyone to enjoy.
Container candles are some of the most popular types of candles in today's modern candle-making world. They are extremely fun to make and they are beautiful to look at depending on the type of glass you decide to house your candles in. Many beginners love to make container candles due to their simplicity. Using the correct wax in order to make a container candle is critical for the performance of your candle.
Having a wax that can provide an even burn, as well as hold both fragrance and color well is crucial to creating the perfect container candle. In order to receive the best performance from your container candle, it is best to use Soy Wax! Soy wax is great for container candles due to its extended burn time, little to no soot burn, and its great scent throw.
Soy wax provides an even burn so you get the most out of your candles. For all eco-friendly candle makers, not to worry, soy wax has been proven to have the cleanest burns so not only would you be creating amazing candles with this wax, but you would also be helping the environment. Soy wax has no toxins, so it would be less likely to trigger allergies. Overall, soy wax is not only the most compatible wax to use for container candles but it is also the safer and more eco-friendly option.
Although soy wax is the clear-cut favorite for all container candles, it is important to know the differences between each wax. The most popular waxes that are used for candle-making are Soy Wax, Beeswax, Paraffin wax, and Coconut wax. We’ve already discussed why soy wax is great for container candles, but that doesn’t mean it’s best for every type of candle.
Paraffin wax is great for making taper candles and pillar candles. This wax holds color the best, and it is highly versatile in its usage. Paraffin wax is also very inexpensive which is why beginners usually start off with paraffin wax. Paraffin wax also does not burn as long as Soy wax making it less worth the while if you are looking for a long burn time.
Beeswax, like paraffin, is great to use for taper and pillared candles. Beeswax has been for a long time making it the most reliable of the bunch. This wax has the longest burn time out of the rest, and it has little drip when compared to other waxes. Beeswax has a warm-toned flame which doesn’t give off any smoke from your candle, making it good for both your home and the environment. One downside for beginners is that this wax is much more expensive than paraffin and soy.
The reason for this is due to the natural production of this wax and the popularity of it. While beeswax is more of a higher quality when comparing burn time and the performance of other waxes, we wouldn’t recommend it for beginners who are not looking to break the bank when starting their candle-making journey.
Coconut wax is a newer wax that has very similar attributes to soy wax. In fact, more times than not, Coconut wax will usually be found in a blend with soy wax. This wax burns extremely well, giving an even burn to almost every candle. Many people think the coconut factor may affect the scent of their candle, but Coconut wax is actually scent free and works very well with fragrance oils.
Coconut wax is another great alternative for container candles if you would like a more vegan and eco-friendly wax. Although it is a great wax to use for beginners, it is often found in blends more than it’s sold on its own. For a purer wax, Soy will always be the go-to wax for great performance, great scent throw, and amazing compatibility with glass jars.
As a candle maker, it can be tedious looking for the right candle wax that not only fit your budget but fit your lifestyle and values. To continue to do our part not only by providing a variety of products to cater to all candle makers we are also doing our part to preserve our environment by carrying products that are 100% natural.
All of our 100% natural waxes can be considered “plant-based” and even vegan as they are processed using naturally derived ingredients. In this blog, our candle-making expert will go over all of our 100% natural products and their benefits.
Our new G1 Superior 100% Soy Wax is naturally derived from vegetable soybeans and has many advantages such as an extended burn time, no unsightly black soot, and is less likely to trigger allergies.
This product has a creamy texture with great glass adhesion and a melting point of 122F – 126F. Manufactured with the candle makers in mind. While there are other soy waxes available, this was designed and made for candle users, not the food industry. For example, others will process the wax in less than 2 hours, G1’s process takes over 4 hours. The slower process leaves many double bonds. The double bonds are very good to help reduce the chances of fat blooming also known as frosting.
Our Cargill C3 Nature wax is 100% Soy Wax and is quite resistant to bloom (white frosting) and “wet spots” while producing an excellent scent throw with fragrances. This 100% soy wax is specifically designed for container candles, producing an opaque product with a balanced, creamy look and has great adhesion to glass. Shrinkage is minimal when cooling however most jars will require touch-up with a heat gun or a second pouring. It comes in flake form with a melting point of 127℉ and a flash point >600℉.
Our manufacturing processes separate the protein from the oil to create oils that are GMO free. We use only GMO free oils to create our waxes. Our wax has been tested using the PCR test method (the industry standard used to verify non-GMO claims), and the qualitative test results have shown that GMOs are “Not detected.”
Soy wax is a 100% natural wax derived from the vegetable soybeans. Soy wax is made from environmentally friendly, renewable resources. This wax has many advantages: an extended burn time, no unsightly black soot, and it’s a naturally-derived product.
Soy wax is perfect for container candles, tealight candles, wax melts and tarts. Some of the benefits of this wax are clean burning and being long-lasting. Since soy wax has no toxins, it is less likely to trigger allergies. Soy wax burns cooler which means that you can enjoy your soy wax candle for generally 30-50% longer.
100% Beeswax
Our premium-grade, 100% beeswax is all-natural, chemical and particle-free. The beeswax is perfect for candle and soap making, batiking fabric, painting in encaustics, or mixing up a batch of specialty furniture polish. Beeswax candles are also commonly used during religious services as well as numerous hobby and craft projects.
This Beeswax is easy to use and perfect for those who want to craft candles using natural products and again great for the environment.
100% Beeswax Honeycomb Sheets
Our 100% beeswax honeycomb sheets are richly colored and textured. This beeswax sheet is soft and flexible and can be easily rolled up to make an elegant candle with a natural aroma. By making it with beeswax material, your candle can be used for a long time. This product is perfectly suitable for candle-making, crafts, modeling, bowstring waxing, sealing bottles and jars or just for plain decorating. These uniquely textured sheets are available in different vibrant colors and can be used for rolling taper candles and pillar candles.
As mentioned before each of our 100% natural waxes is considered “plant-based” and even vegan as they are processed using naturally derived ingredients. These products are easy to use and great for not only candle-making but other at-home craft projects you may have.
Have you been using the same wax for years and are thinking about switching up how you make your candles? Or maybe you just want to add a new high-quality wax to your candle line? If you answered yes to these questions you’re in the right place!
General Wax & Candle Co. has recently released two new waxes that would be perfect to add to your candle wax collections. Both waxes are of premium grade and made with high quality ingredients.
The first wax I’d like to introduce to you is our new Ceda Serica ® Apricot Coconut Deluxe Creme Wax. This Apricot & Coconut blended wax is soft and creamy with great adhesion as well as a smooth finish. It is both phthalate and paraben free as well as cruelty and vegan free.
This wax is a combination of apricot, coconut and paraffin waxes with a melting point of 125 – 130F. We recommend that you test out different wick sizes and maybe go a size down from what you would normally use with soy waxes.
The next wax we would like to introduce is our new G1 Superior 100% Soy Wax. This product has a creamy texture with great glass adhesion and a melting point of 122F – 126F. This soy wax is 100% naturally derived from vegetable soybeans and has many advantages such as an extended burn time, no unsightly black soot, and is less likely to trigger allergies.
Both of these waxes are perfect for container candles, tealight candles, wax melts and tarts. If you are looking to introduce a new wax to your candle line I suggest adding these great new waxes!
Once you’ve successfully made your first batch of candles you may want to add a personal touch by switching up it’s appearance. For most candle makers that means adding some color to your wax but it’s not always easy picking which types of candle dyes to use when making candles.
Our candle making expert is here to help! Here’s everything you need to know about the types of candle dyes from our candle-making expert!
Here at General Wax & Candle Co. we carry four different types of dye all of which can be used for candle making projects. It’s important when you begin candle making that you pick not only the right dye that will suit your needs but the correct dye for the type of wax and wick you will be crafting with.
Pay close attention to which dyes mix better with which wax and which dyes will affect the way your wick will burn when going through dye types, to avoid any issues with your candles.
Available in 27 colors, these dye blocks are intended to mix with soy and paraffin wax. These dye blocks can be shaved down into smaller pieces to create lighter shades. The more dye you add the darker the color shade will become. You may also mix multiple dyes to achieve different colors.
A 12 piece block of dye will color 5-50 lbs. of wax, depending on the color shade you are trying to achieve. Available in single packs, 12 packs and 60 packs.
Our dye chips are easy to use and are available in 53 vivid colors. These color chips dye 1 lb. of candle wax creating a medium shade. Each pack contains 20 color chips of 14 grams and will color approximately 10 to 11 lbs. of wax.
It is important to note that the following 9 chips contain a pigment that makes for brighter colors but may be hard to consume. Pigments may clog your wick and cause the flame to become smaller. Be sure to test as needed to ensure your candle will burn properly.
These dye flakes are considered to be superior to our dye blocks as you will get whiter results using these flakes. Unlike the old dye block, these flakes will not clog your wick and burn easily. 1 pack (1-oz / 30 grams) will color approximately 10-11 pounds of wax.
These dye flakes are available in 1 ounce pack bags as well as in bulk of 1 lb. bags.
Our concentrated Liquid Dye works great with paraffin, soy, coconut, beeswax and palm wax. When adding this liquid to your wax it is important that you thoroughly stir this dye into your wax to ensure that your candle will burn correctly.
It is recommended to add this dye to your wax at around 185 – 165 F. Colors may vary with different wax/fragrance/additive combinations.
Available in 1 ounce containers as well as in bulk size of 1 pound containers.
New to candle making? You want to learn everything candle-making from what supplies to use & candle containers to buy? Need to know what waxes should be used for candle making?
If the answer is yes, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about wax from our candle-making expert!
Here at General Wax & Candle Co. we carry 10 different types of wax all of which can be used for candle making. It’s important when you begin candle making that you pick not only the right wax for you but the correct wax for the type of candles you are looking to create.
Step 1: What kind of candle are you making?
Understand that if you are making taper candles and or pillar candles you may need a specific type of wax. If you are taking a different route and are crafting candles using vessels/glass containers it’s important to know that certain waxes adhere better to container candles.
Once you’ve chosen the type of candle you will be making and the vessel it will be in you could now narrow down the wax that would be best for your project.
Step 2: Choose your wax
Keep in mind the vessels and products you will be using for your specific project.
NATURAL (NON-GMO)
AAK A3 100% Soy Wax
This 100% soy wax is mainly used for container candles and adheres well to glass. This Soy Wax is very good to blend with other waxes like low melt paraffin, this will help enhance its quality and can prevent shrinkage or frosting. Our AAK A3 100% Soy Wax comes in the form of flakes with an off white color. This wax is easy to handle and measure, meaning it is great for beginner candle makers.
This 100% soy wax from Cargill is considered to be one of our high quality products. When paired with fragrances this wax produces an excellent scent throw and maintains an even burn pool with consistent color retention and adheres well to glass containers. This wax has minimal shrinkage when cooling and comes in flake form with a melt point of 127℉ and a flash point >600℉.
This vegetable blend wax from Elevance is 80% soy wax and 20% Palm wax. With great glass adhesion and excellent scent flow this wax burns evenly with a consistent color retention.
This Cargill c1 soy based container candle wax comes in flake form and is recommended for votives, tarts and cosmetics.
Our C6 wax is a blend of soy and coconut wax. With excellent adhesion to glass and great scent flow this wax is designed for container candles and has minimal shrinkage when cooling. C6 wax has a melt point of 127°F and a flash point >600°F.
This Micro wax cubes serve best as an add on, meaning when added to taper candles it helps with stabilizing the candle. It also helps wax adhere to the walls of containers. This wax serves many purposes as it reduces/ eliminates mottling in pillars without adding much opacity.
Recommended Usage: 2 teaspoons per pound of wax.
SB 1000 SOY BLEND CONTAINER WAX (4 LBS. PACK)
This SB 1000 soy blend container wax is made up of 60% soy wax and a 40% blend of paraffin, UV and an enhancing additive. Like many of our soy waxes, this wax adheres well to glass containers and burns evenly. We recommend using HTP wicks for best burn performance.
ULTRA WAX – COCONUT-SOY BLEND
Ultra Wax is our state of the art, smooth Coconut Soy Blend. With great adhesion to glass, this wax leaves a smooth finish on all sides of your jar. With a melting point of approximately 128℉ degrees and pour temperature of 165℉ degrees, Ultra Wax cools with minimal shrinkage.
100% REFINED BEESWAX
Our premium-grade, 100% beeswax is all-natural, chemical and particle-free. This wax can be used for candle and soap making, batiking fabric, painting in encaustics, and crafting specialty furniture polish. Beeswax has a melting point of 145° F – 149° F and a flash point of 490° F – 525° F.
100% BEESWAX HONEYCOMB SHEETS
These unscented, easy-to-roll, 100% beeswax honeycomb sheets require no heat and can easily be cut into designs and appliqués. Great for beginner candle makers, at home projects and even children school projects. These Honeycomb sheets are uniquely textured and rich in color. Available in singles sheets or in a bulk case of 200 sheets, it is recommended that you use our 1/0 square raw or waxed wick for making rolled honeycomb beeswax candles.
140 HOUSE-BLEND PILLAR WAX (4 LBS. PACK)
This wax is our own special in-house wax, blended primarily for pillar and taper candles. This wax is our 140 House-Blend Pillar Wax in convenient, manageable and is available in packs of twenty four 1 lb. bricks or in packs of 4x 1 lb.
140 REGULAR PARAFFIN WAX (MOLDING/TAPER WAX)
Our 140 regular paraffin wax has a melting point of 139℉ to 140℉ making it ideal for pouring into metal molds, plastic molds as well as making tapers.
This wax can be used for making free standing candles, as well as floating candles.
Based on the desired effect you’re going for you may need additional additives please visit our candle wax additives pages for additional information.
128 HOUSE BLEND WAX
Our 128 House Blend Wax is a special in-house blend designed for votives, tapers, and jar containers. It’s important to note when making votive candles using House blend 128, it is necessary to add 1% Vybar 260. This will help harden and shrink the wax, making it more opaque and easier to remove from the mold. The addition of Vybar will also result in an overall smoother candle surface and has the added benefit of accepting more fragrance.
HURRICANE WAX
Hurricane Candle Wax is 100% paraffin with a melt point of 160°F. Melting this wax comes with ease with its low melting point. Available in bulk cases of 24x 1lbs as well as in a pack of 4 1 lb. blocks.
