Types of Candle Making Wax
There is no stopping the soaring popularity of candles as a whole. Candle is no more a basic necessity for lighting purpose. It has become bigger than that. Candle has become a fashionable item and a very crucial part of home décor. That explains why new styles and designs are arriving in candle stores on a daily basis. As a result of that, the demand for candle making material also continues to rise. By now, we all know the basic materials needed for making beautiful candles. We also know that the most basic ingredient of candle making is wax. During earlier eras, candles were made from tallow which was basically animal fat. On one hand it was easily available but at the same time, it had a foul smell and used to emit heavy smoke. Soon enough, people woke up to new wax possibilities and since then, wax has remained the ideal base ingredient for making candles. Let’s have a look at different types of popular wax.
Perhaps the most widely used and popular wax is paraffin wax. It is actually a byproduct of the petroleum industry and thus was commonly available during the times when petroleum industry took off as a result of industrial revolution. From the nineteenth century till the date, most of the candles are made from paraffin. They burn clean and have a relatively lower cost.
Beeswax comes from bee hives of honey bees. The best part about beeswax is that it is bereft of any kind of bad smell and does not emit any smoke. However, it is slightly costly compared to other wax. Gel wax is a new entrant in the wax market. It’s very pliable and that’s why it can be molded into different unique shapes. Candle designers prefer to use gel wax for making fancy candles.
Soy wax again, is a fresh discovery and has become immensely popular among candle makers. It is not only cost effective but also environment friendly. It has a pleasant smell which further adds to its ever-growing appeal. Derived from palm trees, palm wax has a reputation of a clean burning wax. Last but not the least, is the spermaceti wax extracted from whales. To protect the whales, now it has been made unavailable and rendered defunct.
