Why Beeswax Candles Are Better?

Beeswax candles have been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. Unlike paraffin wax candles made from petroleum, beeswax is a natural wax made by honey bees to build the honeycomb in their beehive. Beeswax candles have many benefits compared to other types of candles. They burn cleaner, brighter and longer. The honey-sweet smell of beeswax is subtle and pleasant. Beeswax candles are non-toxic, eco-friendly and support sustainable beekeeping. With proper care, beeswax candles can also be reused over and over again. This article will explore the many reasons why beeswax candles are better than other candle varieties.

Made from Natural Ingredients

Beeswax candles are made from all-natural ingredients like beeswax from honeycombs and cotton wicks, making them a natural and eco-friendly option compared to paraffin wax candles. Beeswax is a substance produced by honey bees to build the walls of their honeycombs. It comes directly from nature without any chemical processing or refining, unlike paraffin wax which is a petroleum byproduct. The wicks in beeswax candles are often made from natural cotton, rather than potentially toxic metal-core wicks sometimes found in paraffin candles.

According to the Farmhouse on Boone (https://www.farmhouseonboone.com/how-to-make-beeswax-candles), beeswax candles contain no petroleum-derived chemicals and burn much cleaner than paraffin wax candles. The natural ingredients like beeswax and cotton make beeswax candles an environmentally-conscious choice over synthetic candle options.

Burn Longer

Beeswax candles have a higher melting point than candles made from paraffin, soy, or other waxes. The melting point of beeswax is around 145°F to 147°F, while paraffin wax melts at around 115°F to 125°F. This means beeswax withstands higher temperatures before starting to melt and liquify. As a result, beeswax candles burn slower and longer than other types of candles.

According to Greener Lyfe, the burn time for a beeswax candle is generally about 1 hour per inch of candle width. So a 2 inch wide beeswax candle will burn for approximately 2 hours. Compared to paraffin candles which provide about 30-45 minutes of burn time per inch of width, beeswax candles can burn up to twice as long. This allows you to fully enjoy the candle before having to replace it.

The higher melting point and slower burn rate also means less wax is wasted. More of the candle is burned compared to paraffin candles where wax tends to melt and pool around the wick faster than it can burn. So with beeswax you fully utilize the candle, resulting in better value for money.

Produce Less Soot

One of the main benefits of beeswax candles is that they produce very little soot compared to paraffin wax candles. Paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct, so when burned it releases the same toxic fumes and soot as burning diesel fuel. This black soot released by paraffin candles not only stains walls, ceilings, and furniture, but the tiny particles are also inhaled and can cause respiratory irritation.

Beeswax has a much cleaner burn. According to Beesource, beeswax candles produce hardly any soot as long as the wick is trimmed properly. The natural beeswax actually helps purify the air instead of polluting it with toxins. Numerous studies have shown beeswax candles release negative ions which bind to positively charged particles like dust, dander, and smoke. This makes the particles heavier so they drop out of the air instead of remaining suspended where they can be inhaled.

So if you want to avoid breathing in nasty fumes and soot while enjoying the ambiance of candlelight, beeswax is clearly the better choice over paraffin.

Sources:

https://www.beehivecandles.com/help/beeswax-vs-paraffin/

https://www.morningagclips.com/beeswax-candles-the-only-candles-you-should-burn/

Release Natural Fragrance

One of the best things about beeswax candles is that they release a lovely, natural honey aroma while burning. The beeswax itself has a sweet, honey-like scent that gets released into the air as the candle burns (cite:https://www.treefortnaturals.com/products/natural-beeswax-candle). This makes beeswax candles a great option for people who want to fill their home with a light, pleasant fragrance without using artificial fragrances. The natural honey smell from beeswax candles is subtle yet noticeable – just enough to create a soothing ambiance without being overpowering. Beeswax candle manufacturers often add complementary natural essential oils as well to enrich the honey fragrance. But even on their own, beeswax candles emit the sweet, warm aroma of fresh honey as the flame releases the scented compounds inherent in beeswax.

Support Beekeepers

When you purchase beeswax candles, you support small beekeepers and apiaries who ethically harvest beeswax (Beverly Bees). These small businesses rely on the sale of beeswax products to sustain their livelihoods. By supporting local apiaries, you help keep beekeepers in business and enable them to continue their important work caring for bee colonies.

This has positive implications for bee conservation. Beekeepers monitor the health and wellbeing of honey bee hives. The revenue from beeswax allows them to properly manage colonies, prevent disease, and ensure bee populations stay healthy. As bees face threats like habitat loss, supporting beekeepers helps protect these vital pollinators. When you choose beeswax, you support the humane treatment of bees and sustainable practices that benefit the environment.

Sustainable

Beeswax is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable resource that makes beeswax candles much more sustainable than paraffin candles. Beeswax comes from honeybees and does not deplete any non-renewable resources. The bees simply consume honey to produce the wax. Since bees can make wax season after season, beeswax is considered a sustainable and ecologically-sound material for candles (Source: https://savannahbee.com/products/100-pure-organic-beeswax-candles).

Additionally, beeswax is biodegradable. Unlike paraffin wax which can take thousands of years to break down, beeswax can decompose in just a few months under the right conditions. When properly cared for and cleaned up, beeswax candles pose minimal risk to the environment (Source: https://www.beehivecandles.com/).

So by choosing beeswax over paraffin candles, consumers can reduce their carbon footprint and support the sustainability of candlemaking. Beeswax is clearly the superior ecological choice.

Burn Consistently

One of the key benefits of beeswax candles is that they burn very consistently and evenly. According to research from BeeHiveCandles.com, beeswax pillar candles are designed to burn efficiently without tunneling or requiring much physical maintenance on the user’s part. The natural structure of beeswax allows the flame to burn steadily at a rate of about 1 inch per hour.

This even burn rate and flame is preferable to other candle materials like paraffin wax, which tend to burn unevenly. The consistency of beeswax allows the candle to burn down fully, getting the most use out of the candle. This also reduces issues like tunneling, where the sides of the candle remain unmelted. Beeswax candles give the user optimal burn time and use of the candle.

Safe

Unlike many paraffin candles, beeswax candles do not contain toxic materials that release dangerous fumes when burned. Beeswax itself is non-toxic, and beeswax candles typically use cotton wicks instead of metal-core wicks, which eliminates lead and zinc from being emitted into the air (Scottish Bee Company, 2021). With no synthetic fragrances, dyes or petroleum-based ingredients, burning a beeswax candle does not release any known human carcinogens or toxins into the home.

Beeswax candles are safer for people, pets and the environment. The natural wax itself has a high flash point of 400°F, making accidental fires far less likely as well. Without artificial scents, dyes or other chemical additives, beeswax candles have very little scent when not lit, making them safer for those with allergies or chemical sensitivities. When burned, they emit only the honey-like fragrance of beeswax.

Conclusion

In summary, beeswax candles have numerous benefits compared to other candle types. Beeswax is a natural ingredient that comes directly from honeybees, making beeswax candles an eco-friendly and sustainable option. They burn longer and more consistently than paraffin or soy candles, producing minimal soot and releasing a light, natural honey aroma. Beeswax candles are also non-toxic, emitting negative ions that help purify indoor air. By choosing beeswax candles, consumers can support small beekeepers and an environmentally-friendly industry. With their clean burn, pleasant natural fragrance, and positive health benefits, beeswax candles are a superior and worthwhile investment for any home.