DIY Eco Candles from Leftovers and Soy Wax | Zero Waste

 I love the moment when I turn on my favorite tv series in the evening, and the beautiful smell of candles and their magical flame relaxes me. Thanks to them, it's so cozy and warm.
Probably many of you have similar feelings to me, but not all candles are good for our health. Unfortunately, paraffin candles mound, and produce volatile soot. Today I'll show you how to make candles from soy wax and from the remains of candles.                                                                      

Why choose soy wax:

• 
  
• It is a natural vegetable wax obtained from soybeans
• It is 100% environmentally safe and biodegradable 
• It is suitable for allergy sufferers, and due to the lack of chemistry also for people with migraines
• It burns at a lower temperature so you can't get burned
• Burns longer than paraffin candles and has a more intense smell
• No cinders, so it doesn't raise the level of CO2 in the atmosphere
• Produces 90% less volatile soot

As you can see, soywax has many pluses, but if you don't have it at home to make candles you can use old candles. This solution is also ecological, because we use the remnants that we would throw away in it.

DIY Eco Candles from Leftovers and Soy Wax | Zero Waste

How to make wicks:

What you will need:

• Soy wax or old candles 
• Small-diameter cotton twine
• Baking paper

How to make a step-by-step wick:

1.We cut the string to make it a little bigger than the height our candle will have
2.Melt the wax in a water bath.
3.When it is liquid, we place a piece of string in it
4.Wax-coned string, pull out, straighten and lay on baking paper.
5.The string is best to bend in the shape of the letter L. Then we will be able to lean it against the bottom of the jar into which we will pour candles.

DIY Eco Candles from Leftovers and Soy Wax | Zero Waste

How to make candles?

What you will need:

• Soy wax or old candles 
• Knot
• Jar
• Washing buckles or skewers and buckles
• Essential oil in your favorite fragrance (optional)
• Food dye (optional)

How to make candles step by step:

DIY Eco Candles from Leftovers and Soy Wax | Zero Waste

1.Do clean jars, we put the wick and hook it with a smaller hole in the buckle. If your jar is larger and the buckle falls inside, you can attach a buckle or clip of the wick to a stick from the skewers.

DIY Eco Candles from Leftovers and Soy Wax | Zero Waste

2.We cut the remnants of the candles into smaller pieces to melt faster.

3.Wax / remnants of candles melt in a water bath.

4.When the wax will have a liquid form, we can add to it a favorite essential oil (about 10-20 drops) and a few drops of food dye and mix everything. 

DIY Eco Candles from Leftovers and Soy Wax | Zero Waste

5.Carefully pour wax into jars, taking care that the wick is in the middle.

6.When the wax concentrates, remove the buckles and cut the wicks at a height of 1-1.5 cm. And that's it! The candle is ready :)

DIY Eco Candles from Leftovers and Soy Wax | Zero Waste

If you have trouble finishing the dish where you did a water bath with wax, it is best to pour hot water into it and wait for the wax to melt, then wash it with liquid / dishsoap.

Do you like candles? What's your favorite fragrance?

Xoxo
Dorota