DIY - Make sustainable candles yourself

DIY - Make your own sustainable candles

Do you value sustainability in your household too? Have you ever thought about how environmentally friendly the candles you burn during Advent are? Most commercially available candles are made from palm oil, paraffin and beeswax. Paraffin is produced during the production of lubricating oil. The carbon footprint of petroleum products is always negative. Even the popular tea lights are not environmentally friendly, because the aluminum bowl produces unnecessary waste. If you want to protect the environment, you don't have to do without cozy candlelight. The solution is DIY candles, which you can make yourself at home with little effort.

What are the commercially available candles made of?

The candles that you can buy in stores are made of 75 percent paraffin. Paraffin is a product of the "climate killer" petroleum and is harmful to the environment in the long term. But candles made from palm oil also harm the environment. Palm oil is also known as stearin. Stearin is produced from renewable raw materials and is biodegradable. The problem, however, is that palm oil requires huge plantations, for which large parts of the tropical rainforest are cut down. However, stearin candles have the advantage over paraffin candles that they burn longer and produce significantly less soot. However, these candles are not recommended if you want to make an active contribution to environmental protection. Organic candles are a sensible alternative because only fats and oils from renewable raw materials are used in their production.

Most candles available in stores are made from paraffin. This raw material not only has a negative environmental impact, but can also be harmful to your health in the long term. When paraffin candles are burned, numerous substances are released that are harmful to health, including alkanes, alkenes, ketones, toluene and benzene. Some candles even contain lead. This additive is intended to ensure that the candles burn longer and the wick is stabilized. According to a test by Stiftung Warentest, some candles even contain nickel. Nickel and lead are two substances that are hazardous to health. Although the concentration in the candles is negligible and not dangerous for healthy people, sustainable candles are definitely the better choice.

But how are candles actually made? The manufacturing process is a key factor in determining how high-quality the candle is and how long it burns. Cheap candles are usually made using the so-called powder pressing process. Paraffin granules are then pressed with a wick. In the so-called casting process, however, the wax, i.e. stearin or beeswax, is first heated and then shaped into the desired form. These cast candles are heavier and burn longer. The oldest method for making candles is candle pulling. In this process, the wick is pulled through a liquid wax bath until the desired thickness is achieved. This is a very complex and expensive process. The advantage, however, is that the candle burns for a very long time and evenly. When buying your candles, always pay attention to how heavy they are, because that says a lot about their quality. If you want to be sure that you are buying high-quality models, look for the RAL quality mark. Candles that have this quality mark do not drip and produce little soot and smoke. They also contain strictly controlled raw materials and should therefore be your first choice. The slightly higher price for high-quality candles is therefore worth it twice: the good burning quality and the soot-free flame ensure long-lasting candle enjoyment.

How can I make candles myself?

Making sustainable candles yourself is much easier than you think. Such ecological candles also make an excellent gift idea. First of all, get all the necessary accessories. Orange candles are particularly quick to make. They give off a wonderful scent; and you probably have all the necessary ingredients at home. First, cut the orange in half and carefully hollow out the flesh. You should leave the middle stem as it will later serve as a wick. Now pour the vegetable oil (melted beeswax works too) into the oranges. Make sure that the middle stem sticks out at least one centimeter. To burn, it is best to place the orange candle on a coaster, as the orange peel will certainly let some of the oil through.

Another popular DIY candle is the honeycomb candle . To make it, you need honeycomb panels and a cotton wick as well as some beeswax . First, dip the wick in the liquid beeswax and set it aside to dry. Now cut the wick and honeycomb panel to the desired size. The honeycomb panel is then wrapped millimeter by millimeter around the wick. You can now dip the finished panel in liquid beeswax again. This will soften the distinctive honeycomb structure somewhat.

The coconut oil candle also gives off a lovely scent. To make it, you need the same amount of beeswax and coconut oil . Also choose a nice container to put your candle in. First, carefully heat the beeswax. Now cut the wick to the desired length; it should be a little longer than your container. Dip the oil candle wick in the warmed wax and lay it on a piece of newspaper to dry. Now heat the coconut oil and carefully mix it with the beeswax. Pour this mixture into your container until the bottom is well covered. Now place the wick in and fill it with the rest of the mixture. The wick should stick out about two centimeters at the top. You then need to leave the finished candle to dry for at least a day.

Last but not least, the oil candle should not go unmentioned. You need floating wicks with a cork float , a glass container and ordinary vegetable oil . Sunflower or olive oil are particularly suitable. First fill the oil into your glass and carefully place the floating wick with the cork float on the oil. Your homemade organic candle is now ready; it really couldn't be easier. So that your candle not only looks beautiful but also smells pleasant, you can add various spices or flowers to the oil. Vegetable oil has the advantage that it burns without leaving residue and without forming soot.
If you want to add a pleasant scent to your homemade candles, using essential oils is an excellent choice. By adding different essential oils, you can create a very personal atmosphere and an irresistible aroma. Experiment with different oils to find your perfect scent blend - be it calming lavender, invigorating lemon or something fresh like peppermint. Not only do they complement the candle wax perfectly, but they also help create a calming and inviting environment in which you can relax and feel good. We recommend that you use pure, natural essential oils because only these are safe to inhale while the candle is burning. For example, you can use the high-quality, organic-certified oils from Emma Grün .
Of course, you can also buy sustainable candles. But you have to be careful here. Not everything that says organic candles actually contains sustainable candles . Organic candles are made from beeswax, rapeseed or soy wax. Beeswax candles are the most expensive option, but they have a pleasant scent that fills the whole room. Candles made from soy wax are also more expensive than candles made from paraffin, for example. However, these often hand-poured models are ideal for giving as gifts. Candles made from rapeseed oil are still more of a niche product. This option is also rather expensive, but very sustainable. Another sensible alternative: If you have several candles at home that have already been used, don't throw away the stumps. They are ideal for making your own candles. Do you prefer tea lights? Then it's best to opt for tea light glasses that you can fill with tea lights without covers. Such eco tea lights have the major advantage that they do not contain any aluminium at all.

Autumn trend: DIY candle making

Would you like to make your own atmospheric winter decoration? Then you can easily make your own candles. It is best to use beeswax candles, because these ecologically valuable candles are the best for making candles. You will need the following ingredients:

• candles of your choice
• a tall vase or jug
• a rolling pin
• some hot water
• a piece of baking paper

First, pour the warm water into the vase or jug ​​and place the candle upside down in it. Now wait about ten minutes until the candle has softened. The water must not boil, however, as this would melt the candles. Once the candle is soft, take your rolling pin and roll it out. Now take the rolled-out candle in both hands and twist it so that it forms a swirl. How often and how much you twist the candle is up to your own preferences. Now you just have to let the candles cool down and you can then use them as an atmospheric decoration.

Do you not want to twist candles or make them yourself in any other way and do not want to use commercially available candles? Then there is another worthwhile alternative: energy-saving LED candles are becoming increasingly popular. You can usually control them with a remote control. With some models you can even activate a timer. Then the candles will light up at the same time every day. Another major advantage: unlike all candles, LED candles are completely safe. You can leave them unattended for a few minutes and do not have to worry about a fire. The disadvantage: although real candlelight is imitated with LED candles, the same cozy atmosphere as with a real fire is usually not achieved.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many candles are burned in Germany?
According to ECA, the European Candle Association, Germany is in the middle range when it comes to candle consumption. On average, every German burns 2.2 kilograms of candles per year; the majority of these, of course, are during Advent and the pre-Christmas period. The absolute leaders in candle consumption are the Scandinavian countries, because the days are particularly short there.

What are candles made of?
About three quarters of all candles produced in Germany are made from paraffin. Stearin, which is made from vegetable and animal fats, is also a popular raw material for candles. If you are looking for one of the most natural materials for making candles, you should choose beeswax. However, these candles are also the most expensive.

What alternatives are there to traditional candles?
The oil candle and the coconut oil candle are just two popular alternatives to conventional candles. The orange candle and the honeycomb candle are also popular and easy to make yourself. You only need a few materials; you may even have many of them at home. You don't have to be skilled at making your own candles, because making your own candles takes just a few minutes.

Which candles burn best?
How long a candle burns depends on both the material used and the manufacturing process. Stearin candles are known for burning for a particularly long time. They also do not produce soot or drip and are therefore one of the most popular types of candle. Candles made from beeswax also burn for a relatively long time. You can remember: the heavier a candle is, the higher quality the material used and the longer the burn time.

Which wax is best for candles?
The first choice for your DIY candles should definitely be beeswax, preferably from an organic beekeeping facility. You can easily recognize beeswax candles by their characteristic honeycomb structure and beautiful golden yellow color. However, classic bee candles have a market share of just 0.5 percent, so they are not easy to get hold of in stores.

Conclusion: As you can see, you don't have to do without the cozy candlelight during Advent. You can easily make your own sustainable candles or simply opt for high-quality ecological models. Regardless of whether you choose high-quality organic candles or the homemade model: candlelight makes the dark season much more cozy. Reason enough, then, to decorate your home with as many of the candles as possible.

Sources:

• https://www.ecowoman.de/freizeit/diy/diy-geschenkidee-bio-kerzen-selber-machen-6188
• https://www.quarks.de/umwelt/wie-nachhaltig-koennen-kerzen-sein/
• https://www.br.de/radio/bayern1/content/experts-tips/umweltcommissar/kerze-wachs-palmoel-stearin-russ-umweltcommissioner-100.html
• https://doitbutdoitnow.de/2020/10/diy-herbsttrend-kerzen-dreh/
• https://utopia.de/ratgeber/einkaufsratgeber-kerzen/