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How To Bleach Beeswax
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Published: November 10, 2006
Bleach beeswax does not mean it was done with Clorox Bleach. The term bleach beeswax defines the process of removing the natural golden color of the beeswax. This can be done with chemicals or naturally by using the sun.
Bleach beeswax has a pure white color and is commonly used to make candles.
It is referred to as ivory or white in reference to the color. When bleach beeswax is used to make candles, it loses much of its sweet honey scent when burned.
Many larger, more commercial companies use chemicals to remove the gold color of the beeswax. Depending on the company, these chemicals can be a mixture of many different items such as hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, and benzoyl peroxide. These chemicals are very dangerous and toxic to use unless you know what you are doing. It is recommended not to try to bleach beeswax this way at home.
Another commonly used method to bleach beeswax is with a filtering process. This removes most of the gold color from the beeswax, but not all of it. This process is done by using special absorbent filters. The beeswax is melted and sent through a machine where the impurities are filtered out leaving only white beeswax material. Filtering beeswax will permanently remove the pollen. Bleaching takes out the color of the pollen, but does not remove it. Over time, the yellow color of the pollen could return to bleached beeswax. Most of the beeswax one can buy is already filtered.
A non-chemical way to bleach beeswax is with sunlight. Bleaching beeswax with this method takes time. The beeswax should be cut into small pieces; the smaller the pieces the faster it should turn the wax. Then lay the small pieces of wax onto trays and set them out under sunlight. Beeswax has a high capacity for heat, but should be watched over so the wax does not melt. Be sure \ the wax is protected from debris, such as dirt and dust. This is very important because even when the wax is the slightest bit warm, dirt will stick right to it. The amount of time this process takes to bleach beeswax varies depending on the time of year, the location, and the intensity of the sun. It can take up to a few sunny days.
Many beeswax candles are made from bleach beeswax or a combination of natural and bleach beeswax. This creates a light sand color. Bleaching beeswax is often done so the remaining white material can be dyed another color. This is a common practice for candle makers because the different array of colors makes brilliant and decorative candles in all shapes and sizes.
Ann, Vanessa. Candlemaking For The First Time. 2001. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
"Buyer Bee-Ware." Candle Bee Farm. 2001. Candle Bee Farm, LLC. 8 Nov. 2006 .
Coney, Nirma. The Complete Candlemaker. Asheville, North Carolina: Lark Books, 1997. 7-20.
"FAO Corporate Document Repository." FAO. 9 Nov. 2006 .
Nicol, Gloria. The Complete Book of Candles and Candle Making. London: Lorenz Books, 2004. 23-96.
Romanelli, Paola. Candle Crafts. New York: Sterling Co., Inc., 2001. 10-35.
Bleach beeswax has a pure white color and is commonly used to make candles.
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Many larger, more commercial companies use chemicals to remove the gold color of the beeswax. Depending on the company, these chemicals can be a mixture of many different items such as hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, and benzoyl peroxide. These chemicals are very dangerous and toxic to use unless you know what you are doing. It is recommended not to try to bleach beeswax this way at home.
Another commonly used method to bleach beeswax is with a filtering process. This removes most of the gold color from the beeswax, but not all of it. This process is done by using special absorbent filters. The beeswax is melted and sent through a machine where the impurities are filtered out leaving only white beeswax material. Filtering beeswax will permanently remove the pollen. Bleaching takes out the color of the pollen, but does not remove it. Over time, the yellow color of the pollen could return to bleached beeswax. Most of the beeswax one can buy is already filtered.
A non-chemical way to bleach beeswax is with sunlight. Bleaching beeswax with this method takes time. The beeswax should be cut into small pieces; the smaller the pieces the faster it should turn the wax. Then lay the small pieces of wax onto trays and set them out under sunlight. Beeswax has a high capacity for heat, but should be watched over so the wax does not melt. Be sure \ the wax is protected from debris, such as dirt and dust. This is very important because even when the wax is the slightest bit warm, dirt will stick right to it. The amount of time this process takes to bleach beeswax varies depending on the time of year, the location, and the intensity of the sun. It can take up to a few sunny days.
Many beeswax candles are made from bleach beeswax or a combination of natural and bleach beeswax. This creates a light sand color. Bleaching beeswax is often done so the remaining white material can be dyed another color. This is a common practice for candle makers because the different array of colors makes brilliant and decorative candles in all shapes and sizes.
Ann, Vanessa. Candlemaking For The First Time. 2001. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
"Buyer Bee-Ware." Candle Bee Farm. 2001. Candle Bee Farm, LLC. 8 Nov. 2006 .
Coney, Nirma. The Complete Candlemaker. Asheville, North Carolina: Lark Books, 1997. 7-20.
"FAO Corporate Document Repository." FAO. 9 Nov. 2006 .
Nicol, Gloria. The Complete Book of Candles and Candle Making. London: Lorenz Books, 2004. 23-96.
Romanelli, Paola. Candle Crafts. New York: Sterling Co., Inc., 2001. 10-35.
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